Minister leads delegation to Kildare Village

ABOVE: Pictured at Kildare Village on Friday, September 29 were Maureen Bergin, Community and Business Relation Director at Kildare Village; Victor Biffi Rossano, Business Director at Kildare Village; Minister Neale, Richmond, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Minister Martin Heydon, TD for Kildare South and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

PHOTO BY: CONOR McCABE 

A delegation from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment led by Minister Neale Richmond, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail, visited Kildare Village on Friday, September 29, to discuss the opportunities for growth of the retail sector in Ireland.

Minister Richmond was joined by local TD for Kildare South, Minister Martin Heydon.

The visit involved a tour of Kildare Village where Business Director of Kildare Village, Victor Biffi Rosano, provided an overview of the fashion and lifestyle brands which have chosen to operate in Kildare Village, the Village’s commitment to elevated hospitality and services, and the contribution of the Village to the local and national economy.

Kildare Village, which is part of The Bicester Collection, directly employs 1,500 people, and is responsible for an additional 450 jobs.

Over the past number of years, a large investment has been made into Kildare Village, with further ambitions for growth and expansion into the future.

Kildare Village is also a long-standing champion of local talent and has provided a platform for Irish brands, designers, artists and musicians to be discovered by a national and international audience.

Their ongoing partnership with Kildare based charity Barretstown has also seen vital funds raised to support children and families living with serious illness.

Speaking on the visit, Business Director of Kildare Village, Victor Biffi Rosano said: “We were delighted to host Minister Richmond, Minister Heydon and Department officials at Kildare Village to discuss the retail landscape here in Ireland, and where we, in Kildare Village, fit into it.

“It was a very fruitful session, where we had the opportunity to showcase what we do at Kildare Village, outline our significant local impact and share some of our international experience from other Villages within The Bicester Collection.”

Minister Richmond said: “Kildare Village are a significant player in Ireland’s retail sector, attracting customers from across Ireland and abroad while employing 1,500 people here in Kildare. 

“I want to ensure that retailers like Kildare Village can continue to grow and evolve, and I look forward

to working with them into the future.”