Various leading groups within the country's drinks industry have come together to launch a nationwide campaign called ‘Support Your Local’ designed to highlight the contribution it makes, such as employing 92,000 people and buying €1.1 billion worth of Irish inputs.
The 'Support Your Local' initiative will also highlight the more than €2 billion in annual wages supported by the industry. Spokesman Bart Storan said: "When we say 'Support Your Local,' we are talking about supporting your local farmer, distillery, pub, restaurant or independent off-licence and community. The campaign will be bringing the message about the positive role the industry plays in Ireland.
"We will be asking people to support an industry that is a proud part of our history, but which is also an exciting part of our future," Mr Storan added.
The nine-month campaign, worth €100,000, will visit pubs in eight locations around the country, and it all kicked off in The White Horse in Ballincollig, Co Cork yesterday afternoon.
A new report by Tony Foley from the DCU Business School entitled, ‘Drinks Related Employment in Dail Constituencies’, was presented at the official launch of the campaign.
The ‘Support Your Local’ campaign is supported and funded by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland. All members of that group including suppliers, pubs, restaurants, hotels and independent off-licences, are enthusiastically asking people to recognise the massive contribution that the industry makes to local communities all over Ireland, and are calling on everyone to Support Your Local.
