Did You Know, 12 May 2015

By Steve Wynne-Jones
Did You Know, 12 May 2015

Did you know… Panadol maker GlaxoSmithKline has announced a new award scheme for Irish community-based charities? The GSK Ireland Impact Awards will grant up to five winners €10,000 in unrestricted funding, while five runner-up charities will receive €1,000.

Did you know… Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney will launch the ‘Vision for Irish Whiskey’ initiative this evening (12 May)? The event will be marked by a whiskey tasting in the Old Jameson Distillery. The strategy has been developed to allow the sector to continue its double-digit growth into the future in a sustainable fashion.

Did you know… The Irish Times reports that Irish packaging group Ardagh has pulled out of a bid for St Gobain’s bottle and jar manufacturing division? The move has prompted Moody’s to issue a note saying the news is credit positive, as Ardagh will not need to borrow more money to fund the deal.

Did you know… Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has said that minimum pricing for alcohol will not affect "the price of duty free alcohol products or artisan beers sold at full retail price", and will be focused primarily on alcohol on sale at a low cost? The Minister was responding to a question from Fine Gael TD Seán Kyne (Galway West).

Did you know… The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIITRA) has set out its proposals for ‘Retail First’, an outline of retail sector policy priorities for Northern Ireland’s politicians, and especially North Antrim election candidates, at a meeting at the new Ballymena Business Hub? The priorities listed include infrastructure to support the development of small towns and national insurance 'holidays' for retailers setting up in areas with high unemployment.

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Did you know… Kerry Group looks set to be a major beneficiary of the state's capital expenditure programme, according to The Sunday Times? The Government is expected to approve a €110 million road project, which will link into the group’s new research and development centre in Kildare.

Did you know… Directors at retailer Arnotts claim “water charges uncertainty has played its part in a recent drop in consumer sentiment”? The claim was made in the retailer's most recent set of accounts, and was reported by the Irish Independent. The directors' report adds that, “This will have an impact on future outlook in terms of spending habits.”

Did you know… Former Manchester United players are set to take on a team of players from Tesco stores, as well as local businesses in Wexford and Carlow in a charity soccer match to raise funds for Temple Street Children’s University Hospital? The ‘Manchester United Legends versus Tesco Legends’ game, taking place on 23 May, was organised by Tesco Gorey with Staffords Bakery, J Donohoe, and Molson & Hogan Print all set to take part.

Did you know… Aldi will introduce a range of barbecue equipment to its stores from 21 May? The range includes a Dual Burner Gas BBQ for €49.99 and a range of tools and brushes from €1.79 each. A small drinks fridge for €99.99 will also feature in the range, as well as garden furniture and tableware.

Did you know… The Coeliac Society of Ireland has set a new Guinness World Record for cooking the world’s largest gluten-free potato pancake in Smithfield, to launch Coeliac Awareness Week? Chef Adrian, best know for his work with TV3, created the 1.5 metre pancake to kick off the week, which runs from 11 to 17 May.

© 2015 - Checkout Magazine

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