Birr shop looks to 'Retail Therapy' for survival tips
A village shop is set for success after being chosen to appear on Fergal Quinn's RTÉ programme 'Retail Therapy'. 'The Village Store' in Rathcabbin, near Birr, stands next to 'The Last Chance Bar'. Though the shop dates from 1815, shopkeeper Darina Kelly says appearing on the television programme, which looks to turn the fortunes of businesses around, really is its final chance at survival. "It's getting harder and harder, I have to say," Darina said. "Even though my customers support me well money is tighter and tighter." Getting help from Fergal Quinn, who previously headed up supermarket giant Superquinn, is a dream come true for Darina and her husband Pat. "It couldn't have come at a better time," Darina said. "I think this advice will be the difference between survival and closure." Darina describes the village shop that has been in her husband's family for generations as part of the village. "It's basically a modernised version of an old village shop-cum-pub," she said. The first bit of filming took place at the store two weeks ago, and the 'Retail Therapy' film crew is due to visit five more times. Though Darina said, as yet, she doesn't know what Mr Quinn's game plan for the business is, she's looking forward to following it. The plan is sure to be cemeted after a visit by Fergal Quinn on June 8, followed by a meeting with the local community about what they want from a village store on June 15. Hearing the truth about her shop's possible failings is something Darina isn't looking forward to, however, though she knows it's necessary to move forward. "I'll be hiding in the loo or under a stone somewhere," she laughed. Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week 'Retail Therapy' producer Jean Devlin said the television crew and Mr Quinn are really interested in helping the village store out. "Stores like that are dying out in Ireland," she said. "We'd really like to be part of trying to help them find a niche in the market and survive." 'The Village Store' will appear on screens as part of 'Retail Therapy' next November.