John Shannon of Inver Garden Centre has been elected as the new Chairman of Larne Traders Forum at their Annual General Meeting which was held in Caffé Spice last Wednesday evening. Mariann Casagrande of Caffé Spice was elected as Vice-Chairman for the incoming year.

As outgoing Chairman, Mariann Casagrande reviewed the activities undertaken by the Forum during the past year. She highlighted the successful partnership with Chaine FM in delivering the successful “Shop Local Shop Smart” Christmas advertising and promotional campaign as well as the success of a number of members being shortlisted in a range of categories in the Larne Borough Business Awards. The Forum was pleased when Inver Garden Centre was announced as winner of the Independent Retailer category. The Forum also continued its lobbying role to help promote and support town centre business and sustainability, including making contributions to the consultation on the Town Centre Masterplan.

John Shannon thanked Mariann Casagrande for her commitment to Forum in her role as Chairman over the past two years. He looked forward to working with the Forum over the next year and was keen to encourage more traders and businesses to become members. The Forum will be actively participating in working with the Department for Social Development to deliver the proposed ReStore programme and will also play its part in ensuring that the proposals in the Town Centre Masterplan are implemented.


“We would like to thank the people of Larne for their support over the past year” said John Shannon. “The Forum provides a supportive network in the current difficult trading environment as well as focusing on opportunities to positively promote Larne. We will continue to work in partnership with others to benefit everyone visiting, living, working and investing in our town.”

Note:
For further information contact:
John Shannon, Inver Garden Centre, 028 2827 6351
Or
Town Development Office, 028 2826 3082