Transition Year students of Portarlington have launched an initiative to try and encourage the residents of Portarlington to “shop local”.
The students – Caoimhghin Murphy, Anthony Murphy, Oisín O’Dea and Jake McLoughlin with their teacher Ronan Walsh – came up with their idea of “Portpal” after noticing that the People of Portarlington were going elsewhere for their shopping.
This aims to keep people shopping local and also hope to boost the local economy by shopping local.
Portpal is a community driven discount card that entitles customers to a 5 or 10% discount in 18 local shops in Portarlington including Eamonn Brackens Menswears, John Fletchers, Kevin Brackens, Arlington Dry Cleaners, McGreals Pharmacy, Mullanys Pharmacy, AS Meats, Eurozone, Parklane Interiors, Furniture Man Willie Murphy, Lyles Shoes, The Hair Gallery, Fifty-Seven Boutique, Blush Beauty Bar, Tynans Butcher, Whelehans Newsagents and The Wine Buff.
The Portpal card costs €5 which can be bought in Portarlington Pharmacy, Eamon Brackens Menswear, Lyles Shoes, Parklane Interiors and Blush Beauty Bar.
Since establishing Portpal the four students have attended the Student Enterprise Programme in the Hertitage Hotel Portlaoise and also the Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town Awards in Portarlington winning plaudits for this initiative.
Speaking about their initiative, the students said: “It has been a massive success for us, sales have gone through the roof. We want to thank all the businesses of Portarlington for their support and in particular our lead sponsor Portarlington Pharmacy.”
For more information about Portpal, please visit their facebook page Portpal (@PortpalTY). The students also welcome any enquiries via their Facebook page.
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