It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! In Fermoy there's a particularly festive atmosphere as local businesses row in behind the Fermoy Business Action Group to make it a Christmas to remember in the town.

"Plans are coming together nicely, we are delighted with the interest and enthusiasm being shown by local shop owners, pub and restaurant owners and a whole host of others. We're also really pleased with the reaction we've been getting from the local community for our plans to celebrate Christmas in Fermoy this year," says a busy Susan Hickey, PRO of Fermoy Business Action Group.

The group is not just laying the plans, members are getting stuck in themselves, preparing everything to make Fermoy look its festive best and ensure there's an atmosphere of bonhomie over the two weekends. It's been planned for the first two weekends in December, the 6th and 13th, to launch the season with pizazz and get it off to a lively start.

The importance of shopping and doing business locally

The Business Action Group is encouraging people to shop locally during the festive season. Small businesses are big employers after all. With jobs being created right where we live, friends, neighbours and family can find work closer to home.

Shopping locally means the money spent stays within the community. This has a huge impact on family, community and the local economy.

The range is right here in Fermoy. Local businesses provide all of the products and services that can be found in larger urban areas but without the hassle and added expense of travel and parking.

Local craftspeople and artisans offer unique goods that won't be found in international shops.

It's an unrealistic expectation to get everyone to shop locally all the time and The Fermoy Business Action Group knows that. Shoppers don't have to shop local every time though, to make an impact. If everyone did their bit, the continued viability of Fermoy will be assured. Getting into the mindset of shopping and doing business locally first, is all it takes.

Santa to be star of the show in Fermoy

No Christmas celebration would be complete without Santa of course. And, while he is undoubtedly the world's busiest man at this time of the year, he is taking the time to come to Fermoy. It's all thanks to two local businessmen, Tom Aherne of The Wagon Tavern and Mark Hayes of O'Brien's Sandwich Bar and Cafe. They've prepared such an amazing grotto for Santa, right at the heart of things in Pearse Square, that he can't wait to visit! Not just that, but busy as he is, he's planning to stay from December 6th right up to the 23rd so that as many children as possible can call to see him. Mrs Claus and the elves back in the North Pole have promised to work extra hard getting all the presents ready for children for Christmas Eve while he's away in Fermoy.

Santa has an important job to do before he settles into his grotto. At 6pm on Friday, December 6th outside O'Brien's Sandwich Bar in Pearse Square, he'll turn on the Christmas lights to make Fermoy sparkle this Christmas. Then he'll walk with his elves over to the grotto which has been specially prepared for him.

Tom and Mark have put together a unique Santa experience for this year. Upon entry, little visitors will be given special passes ticked to indicate whether they've been 'good' or 'bad' this year. They expect most children will have the 'good' box ticked! Then they'll be able to enjoy the interactive mini chocolate factory while they're waiting to see Santa. Not only can they make their own bar of chocolate using the chocolate fountain, but they can choose how to decorate it, customising it with marshmallows and strawberries and even by writing their name. They can also post their letters to Santa in the special box provided while they wait. When they've seen Santa they'll be able to collect their chocolate bar before leaving. Santa will also have a special present for all his little visitors and children can have their photo taken with him.

The premises has been sumptuously decorated. The walls will be lined with artwork from a competition being run in local schools so children can pick out their entry and show it to family during their visit. Service users at the Cope Foundation in Fermoy are helping out by customising Christmas decorations for the inside of the premises.

Mark and Tom devised the Santa experience to offer children an option right on their doorstep to enjoy the delight of meeting the big man. "We're just doing it for the town. We wanted to bring something back to Fermoy," Mark explained. Tom agrees. "We want kids to have a good time. Hopefully parents will shop and support businesses locally when they bring them to see Santa."

Conscious of economic realities these days, they're absorbing much of the cost to keep visits affordable for families. The €12 entry per child includes a visit with Santa, a photo with him and a present from him and time at the chocolate factory. There'll also be special reindeer food and sweet treats. It represents excellent value.

The colouring competition will be judged and the prize presented during Santa's stay at the grotto.

Mark and Tom have set up a special Facebook page 'Fermoy Santa's Grotto' and are running another competition there. To be in with a chance to win, Facebookers only have to 'like' and 'share' the page. The prize is a free family pass to the grotto.

They are very grateful and thank Dick Barry Auctioneers for helping them to source such an excellent, centrally located premises and to Barry Abernethy, the owner, for its use. They also thank Elaine Wheeler whose colourful and seasonal artwork decorates the window. Elaine also helped decorate the inside along with Sabrina Aherne and sincere thanks is extended to them for that.

Others have helped too in a variety of ways, making the special Santa postbox for example. The lads are bearing the cost of insurance, heat and light and other expenses themselves which means that they are unlikely to make any money on the venture. Again, they reiterate, in a real show of community spirit, it's their way of giving something back to the town. Now that's the (Christmas) spirit!

Santa will be in his grotto on Friday and Saturday, December 6th and 7th from 6pm to 9pm and on Sunday, December 8th, from 12 to 7pm. He'll be there again from Wednesday, December 11th all the way up until the 23rd from 3pm to 8pm daily and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 7pm.

Favourite cartoon characters in town

Sharon Kellaway, from Kilworth, started wearing Peppa Pig mascot costume for the Pips toddler group in Kilworth last year and soon discovered kids loved character costumes so much there was a niche in the market for it. After investing in a selection of mascot costumes including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty and more, Sharon's new Kids Mascot Costume Hire business, Kartoon Kapers, was launched.

Thanks to Sharon young visitors to Fermoy during the Christmas in Fermoy over the two weekends will be able to see Sponge Bob or Mickey Mouse wandering around the town. They'll meet and greet visitors on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th. Sharon says the characters will be more than happy to have their photos taken with children.

Festival face painting

Face painting with Marie will also feature during the weekend festivals. The person behind that business is mother of four, Marie Barry-Murphy from Kilworth who, a year ago volunteered her time to face paint at a Christmas school event. Marie is creative and arty and loves experimenting with her face paints and glitter tattoos and will be part of the Fermoy event on Saturday, December 7th.

Both women are a great example of people operating small businesses in
the area and, in doing so, offering more diversified services to Fermoy and the region.

Wait! There's more!

As if that wasn't enough excitement, there's also festive music and singing planned, a dance performance, excerpts from the Palace Theatre's pantomime 'Sleeping Beauty' being staged on the street. Pearse Square will be lined with market stalls offering culinary treats and artisan crafts from local producers. Even more events and activities are being added to the list to make Fermoy the place to visit this Christmas. Your local newspaper, The Avondhu, will carry details of all that's planned so that no-one misses out on any of the excitement.

All you need, right here in Fermoy

The town is lucky to have a number of traditional butcher shops, offering all the staples needed to put together a real festive menu this Christmas.

With traditional family butchers, customers are assured of quality meat usually produced locally with farm to table traceability. Add in value for money and friendly personal service and customers will understand the benefits of shopping locally.

The town is well served with supermarkets whose hallmarks are also good value, efficient and friendly service and convenience. The value of shopping locally is really seen here in terms of jobs. With cost an important consideration these days, being able to get all your grocery needs right here in town without having to add the expense of travel is 'a real bonus'.

'Tis the season to be looking good!

Fermoy's fashion houses, ladies and gents, offer all that's needed for a stylish Christmas. The latest styles can all be found here, making it easy to look good this party and holiday season. 

Local retailers playing their part

For their part, local retailers and other outlets are supporting the 'Christmas in Fermoy' campaign with special offers and festive menus. Restaurants will have mouth watering special menus and seasonal treats to tempt. The Business Action Group has called on all businesses to use the opportunity to really promote themselves during the Christmas period.

The idea is to encourage people into Fermoy during December to see for themselves, the fantastic range of goods and services the town has to offer shoppers, not just in the lead up to Christmas, but all year round. Fermoy shoppers have plenty of choice when it comes to selecting that ideal gift for loved ones or friends. So come take advantage and snap up some Christmas treats and real value.

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