Pictured at the launch of Christmas at the VQ in the Metropole Hotel are Shane Clarke (Director VQ), Don Jeffery (Thompsons Restaurant & Microbrewery), Sandra Looney (To Have and To Hold Flowers), Katherine Fitzpatrick (VQ), Peirce Lowney (The Metropole Hotel), Noreen Gannon (Gallaghers & VQ Board), Oliver Moran (Deputising for the lord Mayor of Cork) and Liam Maher (Sheila’s Hostel & Gabriel House Guesthouse, Chair of the VQ). Photo: Colm Lougheed

Drive for home this Christmas

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By Finnian Cox

Cork City’s Victorian Quarter (VQ), a community of businesses in the city centre are encouraging people to try and shop locally this festive season.

The organisation made the appeal at the launch of their Christmas at the VQ initiative at the Metropole Hotel, where they officially kicked off their festive season last week.

The event, which outlined local shopping as a key part of their initiative featured a choral performance by children from Scoil Mhuire Junior School, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

Also launched at the event was a new map that details the area and the diverse businesses that can be found in the VQ.

Available both online and in a handheld format, the map has been designed by local creative agency Babelfís, who are one of the businesses represented.

Director of Operations at the VQ Shane Clarke spoke in a statement on the importance of consumers staying local, “particularly at this time of year”.

“It’s important to support local, in order to secure the future of these wonderful businesses and to protect jobs,” said Mr Clarke.

“The VQ has gone from strength to strength over the last few years and the area boasts a wide range of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops,” he said.

“We very much look forward to welcoming new visitors, and regulars, to the VQ for Christmas.

“It’s an exciting time for us - there’s a real buzz about.”

The VQ is a non-profit organisation, governed by a board of directors made up of 8 local business owners.

According to their website, the VQ aims to make the Victorian Quarter ‘the liveliest, most sustainable and cultured, best-connected neighbourhood in Ireland’.

Also attending the event was Pierce Lowney, Director of Food and Beverage at Trigon Hotels. He described the event as “a celebration of the best of our community”.

“We’re thrilled to be launching this festive period with an event that captures the unique charm of the VQ and reminds everyone to shop, dine, and support local businesses this Christmas,” he added.

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