Due to the ongoing pandemic, small businesses have faced significant challenges over the past few months. Now, more than ever, they are feeling even more fragile competing against larger companies especially now that the country has closed yet again.
However, Christmas will come early for some independent businesses following the announcement of the Late Late Show "Shop Small Special".
Last week Ryan Tubridy revealed RTÉ's plans to promote the best of Ireland's small businesses in a unique programme on Friday, November 6th on his radio show.
Talking on RTÉ Radio 1, the presenter urged listeners to buy local before revealing the news: "We are going to do something very big on this on The Late Late Show.
"We've decided that this is a strain that's running through the country that needs to be acknowledged with as big an audience as possible."
He continued, "The Late Late Show has never been as popular, thankfully, viewer-wise, even more so than last year, which is just amazing. Well over half a million people will watch this programme, on average, to look at you.
“So it's alive and well and very healthy, and we appreciate all the viewers coming to see us on a Friday night. I have to say that, and I don't say that enough.
"The good news is that on Friday, November 6th we are going to go big on local business to say, we hear you, we want you, we want to support you and we want to send all that business your way. Shop local, buy local, keep local alive."
The move comes days after the presenter took to his Instagram account and shared stories of business from all around Ireland to his 148,000 followers.
In less than two weeks, the iconic show plans to speak live on air with various independent business owners around the country.
A slider will also run along the bottom of the screen while on air. Each business that features will get a mention in a bid to amplify sales.
If you have a business or an idea that might work for the Late Late Show, they want to hear from you. Simply email details of your business and how it has been doing the last six months to [email protected].
