Build Vibrant Communities

Goal - Building on the strengths of the County, priority will be given to developing the tourism product, festivals and events and consolidation of the retail, hospitality and tourism sectors in County Waterford and improving the viability of small businesses and local services which are the main employers in the local economy.

County Waterford is made up of a rich mosaic of natural amenities, vibrant towns, picturesque villages, a scenic coastline, wood lands, mountains, bog-lands and fertile pastures.  These combine to provide both residents and visitors with an excellent environment to live in or visit.  It also provides the retail, tourism and hospitality sectors with an opportunity to harness commercial opportunities in a sustainable manner. 

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and local services are the main employers in County Waterford, and, as such, are the cornerstone of the County’s local economy.  In most cases, these businesses are not eligible for grant aid.  Reflecting their importance, Waterford County Council, in association with the development agencies, will put in place actions, including events and festivals, consolidation of the sectors, promotion and improved business environments, to help sustain and grow this sector. 

It is estimated that in 2006 the disposable income of residents of County Waterford was in the order of €1.3billion¹⁶.  In addition, in 2007 an estimated 750,000 tourists spent in the order of €120million in Waterford City and County¹⁷.  This represents a considerable market by any standards.  However, research conducted in 2006 found that the County was losing approximately €186million retail expenditure to other centres in Ireland¹⁸.  Since then, a number of initiatives have been put in place to arrest this retail leakage.

• A Review of the County Retail Strategy was adopted by Waterford County Council to provide policy clarity to developers with regard to the scale of the market and the development priorities of the Council in the context of a Retail Hierarchy.
  
  
• Additional land was zoned for retail or town centre use in Butlerstown, Tramore and Dungarvan.
  
  
• A range of new festivals and events have raised the profile of the County.  These events build on the strengths of the County and seek to improve the well-being of participants and include: The Waterford Festival of Food; the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford; and the John Tracey Classic Run. These add to the already successful: Feile na nDeise in Dungarvan; the Bluegrass Festival in Dunmore East; the Racing and World Ocean Festival in Tramore; along with the St Patrick’s Day festivities throughout the County.  Combined these festivals have significantly raised the profile of County Waterford.
  
  
• The private sector has also delivered improved cultural profile of the County.  For example, SGC Dungarvan has hosted a range of high-profile cultural events and Lismore Castle has displayed world-class art exhibitions. 
  
  
• The web presence of County Waterford has been enhanced.  Initiatives by Waterford County Council include: www.investinwaterford.ie, www.workinwaterford.ie, www.welcomewaterford.com and www.dungarvan.ie along other websites developed for specific events.  Initiatives by local communities including www.dungarvanchamber.ie, www.d499.ie, www.visitdungarvan.com and www.tramoretourism.net.
  
  
• More recently, County Waterford attracted internationally profile events such as the Speed Surfing European Championship.
  

Working partnership with the businesses, chambers of commerce and business association, a range of actions will be implemented to achieve this goal as set out in Table 5.1

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16  CSO 2008

17  Derived from Fáilte Ireland Tourism Facts 2007.

18  Review of County Waterford Retail Strategy, adopted by Waterford County Council, 2006

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