Alliance Councillor Deborah Girvan, who has co-ordinated the meeting explained: “When I was conducting my Comber business survey in July and August 2011, I was very impressed at both the range of creative people who had set up a business in Comber and the quality of the crafts and creative products that they were selling. I thought that it would be a good idea to invite the Comber crafts people to a meeting to discuss how they can collectively promote their businesses and begin to publicise Comber as a niche craft centre. Small towns all over Northern Ireland are being hit hard by the tough economic times we are facing. I am hoping that this concept might help grow the economy in Comber and help to attract more people to visit and shop in the town.
“To help the group plan for the future, I have invited Heather Parker, Crafts Officer and Alistair McDowell, Events Officer, from Ards Borough Council to attend the meeting. I am also delighted that Joe Kelly, Director of Crafts Northern Ireland has accepted my invitation to meet the group and to discuss the support that can be given by Craft NI.”
ENDS