A NEW network group for local businesses in Ballymun is aiming to spearhead an economic revival in the area.
Ballymun4business held its first networking conference earlier this month when representatives from over 40 businesses met in the Civic Centre on Main Street to discuss ideas for the future.
Network chairperson, SuperValu owner Rob Murphy, says that Ballymun4business is determined to be at the heart of continued rejuvenation in Ballymun.
“I think we’re at the start of an economic revival in Ballymun,” Murphy told Northside People.
“It has been tough for a couple of years with the demise of the shopping centre, but employment is starting to grow again and I do think that we are at the start of good things.
“But we need to build on that and it doesn’t just happen itself. You have to make it happen, and it happens through energy and through people working together.
“We’ve never been lacking in community spirit here in Ballymun, and we want to continue to grow that spirit, but we also want to grow a local economy that can support all the businesses here as well.”
Murphy says the networking launch on March 15 was designed to introduce local entrepreneurs and business owners so they could support each other through shared trade.
The Ballymun native has been running the local SuperValu on Ballymun Road since 2005, but has helped local start-ups like Funky Monkey gain exposure locally by displaying their range of food products in his supermarket.
“We’ve a local business here run by Debbie Crowley called Funky Monkey, so Debbie has a start-up business she’s been running for nine months now and I asked her to get involved with our network,” added Murphy.
“Now she’s actually in all of the retail stores in the town and she’s supplying product, which in turn, we’re supplying product to our customers and because she’s networking she has a direct ‘in’ with the local businesses.
“I’m very happy with her product, she’s very happy to supply me, and our customers are happy with the product as well so that’s just one example of how local businesses can work together.”
Locals who want to get in contact with the Ballymun4business networking group, can contact Catherine Whelan at catherineowhelan@gmail.com.