Local councillor ‘appalled’ to see ‘Shop Waterford’ signs on display in Dungarvan

A local councillor has said he was “appalled” to see ‘Shop Waterford’ signs displayed in Dungarvan. 

Independent councillor Joe O’Riordan made the comments at the March plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Cllr O’Riordan said: “At the last meeting, I brought up retail all over the county. My idea was that it would be a direct effort in each town rather than a [joint] effort across the county. 

“I was appalled to see signs in Dungarvan this morning saying ‘Shop Waterford’. 

The impression in Dungarvan is that Waterford is Waterford city so we’re advertising some place 28 miles away from us.” He concluded by saying he found the signs “a bit upsetting”.

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In response to Cllr O’Riordan, Acting Director of Services Claire Hartley explained that ‘Shop Waterford’ refers to the whole county, not just the city.

Ms Hartley said: “I suppose we’re 12 years into the logo, ‘One City, One County, One Waterford’. 

“We’re six years into the brand ‘Shop Local, Shop Waterford’. We are the city and county of Waterford and the retail brand is ‘Shop Waterford’. 

“That has been worked through in Dungarvan with both chambers. We are in the position where we have two chambers of commerce but we have worked with the chambers of commerce that it is a ‘Shop Waterford’ brand.”

She argued that the council can’t have a separate ‘Shop Dungarvan’ brand as then other towns would also want brands of their own.

Ms Hartley concluded by saying that ‘Shop Waterford’ is the “unifying brand” that the council has adopted.