IFA Countryside Chairman David Wilkinson urged Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan to prioritise the rollout of the national broadband scheme. This comes amid media reports that the scheme has been delayed and may not be finished for another two years.

Mr. Wilkinson said, "Rural Businesses face the same difficult economic climate as everyone else and must be given a level playing field. The quick rollout of the national broadband scheme has never been more important for the rural economy.

He concluded by saying, "Reports of a drop in the budget for the national broadband scheme are very disappointing. The provision of vital infrastructure such as broadband help safeguard existing jobs and increase the chances of creating new ones. Failure to provide infrastructure in certain areas will see a migration of jobs and people to those areas that have broadband."

Ever heard the phrase 'think global, act local'? Well, for members of the Peregrine chapter of BNI (pictured above), here in Waterford, that is something they do all the time. BNI, the global business networking organisation continues to develop locally in the Waterford area.

At the start of October, the new chapter leadership team begins their 6 month term, helping BNI members to generate more income for their business by word of mouth marketing (referral). Members actively seek opportunities to refer business to other BNI members.

Here in Waterford BNI has a small but very active chapter with approx 14 members at present. The new leadership team taking over at the beginning of October is: Jonathan Battell, of Oceanwide Marketing Ltd, Niall Harp...
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Waterford Castle opened its 16th Century doors to the business community of Waterford at Waterford Chamber's third open door event this year.

A large audience representing business from all over Waterford, came along to partake in a very relaxed and enjoyable evening, "Fit for Kings"!

Deputy President Paul McDaid spoke highly of the hospitality demonstrated by Waterford Castle, complimenting in particular Vicki Kenny, Sales & Marketing Manager for her work in organising the night and indeed her work to date in driving awareness of the hotel.

Regards were paid to newly appointed General Manager Ciarán Gardener who has recently moved home from the States.

The opportunity was not missed by Michael Garland, Dir...
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The status of the city centre as Waterford's retail hub has been well and truly challenged by the outer city locations, according to a leading Waterford auctioneer.

John Rohan, of Sherry Fitzgerald John Rohan on the Cork Road, has said that due to the many issues that the city centre faces including parking and accessibility, the 'outskirts' locations like the Six Cross Road and the Outer Ring Road have 'caught up' with the city centre.

Several commercial properties in city centre have proved hard to shift in recent months while numerous new retail and business outlets have been opening up in the outer city, some of which moved from the city centre itself.

On why the outskirts of the city have closed the retail gap, Rohan commented: "On the o...
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- Developers submit 'Significant Additional Data' requested by Planning Authority

The proposed mixed use development by the Bolster Group, Waterhaven, has been given a new date for a decision by Waterford City Council's Planning Office in light of further information received late last month.

A decision on the Waterhaven project, which is a residential, office, hotel and retail development will now have a target of the 22nd December of this year for a decision.

The applicants, the WD Bolster & Son Ltd, who aim to build the development over a five hectare location in Bilberry on the site of the old Waterford Stanley Factory, will now have to erect a new site notice.

The further information submitted by the applicants was requested last July and was given to the planning office under 13 different headings including revised drawings, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and resp...
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