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Byline: MARIE KIERANS

FIVER Friday fever is gripping the country as businesses back a
novel campaign to get people spending again.


The concept was mooted by a recent caller to RTE's Liveline
who suggested that people spend an extra EUR5 to help support businesses
in their community.


And it has snowballed since then. Businesses from Bandon to
Ballymun have got behind the campaign with a string of learn guitar special offers
and discounts to tempt customers in their doors today.


For one day only your fiver will get you a full eye-test, a will
and a wedding photographer.


You could also get a health check for your pet, a guitar lesson and
a ticket for Duffy's Circus.


Liveline host Joe Duffy said: "Fiver Friday is a great and
simple idea for neighbour to help neighbour and to support the local
community. He added that to help give a much needed kickstart to local
business all people are being asked to do is spend an extra fiver.


"Buy lunch at a local cafe instead of making it - purchase the
evening's dinner at your local butchers instead of at a supermarket
chain, buy yourself a locally hand-crafted treat or surprise someone
with a single rose from our local florist."


He is hoping the idea will inspire thousands of listers to give
what they can to their community.


With domestic spending down he said that Fiver Friday should give a
lift to small businesses struggling to stay afloat.


RTE said many businesses, from gyms and hair salons to garages andgrocery stores have pledged to offer "Fiver Friday Specials".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGekKM2mTrA

Fighting against the recession, they are hoping that enabling
customers to spend that little bit extra will help to keep them open.


David Sweeney, of Sweeney Solicitors in Cork City, immediately
wanted to be part of the campaign when he heard about it.


He told the Irish Daily Mirror. "I think it is a fantastic
idea.


"Funnily enough I set up my business a year ago on July 1 and
even though it is more difficult than say a grocery store to give
special offers I knew I had to think outside the box and support this.


"So for a fiver on Friday, Sweeney Solicitors will make your
will, a service that normally costs EUR100.


"If people support local businesses it will help these
businesses to expand and grow, we need to get that message out."


Check out these deals that will make your day


YOU'LL save yourself a bundle of money by snapping up some of
the offers on Fiver Friday. Here are just some of the fantastic bargains
that your EUR5 will get you today.


1: A WILL at Sweeney Solicitors in Cork


2: AN Eye-test at Aiden walsh Opticians in Tullamore, Co Offaly.


3: A DAY'S bike hire at Phoenix Park Bike Hire in Dublin.


4: A WEDDING photographer for your big day (if you book on Friday)


5: A WEDDING band for your big day.


6: AN ARCHITECT'S consultation at ODA Architects in Malahide,
Dublin


7: TEN square metres of quality carpet tiles in Bargain Town


8: A PET Health check at Paul Kelly'sVet in Ratoath, Co Meath


9: BIODYNAMIC Massage at the wine Street wellness Centre Sligo


10: TWO Trays of large eggs at Get Fresh Fruit and Veg


11: PUB lunch special at the Dropping well, Orchardand
Goat'sGrill in Dublin


12 razz C head-phoneand microphone from A1 Computers


13: A SET of Christmas lights (normal price EUR25) at the Christmas
Shop in Dundrum in Dublin


14: ADMiSSiON to the evening screening of Blue Valentine at the
Portlaoise Arts Centre in Co laois,


15: ALL garden and hardware tools that normally cost EUR10 will
cost you EUR5 at Paddy Callan's Ardee, Co louth


16: CONSULTATION with Bolger Quantity Surveyors


17: THREE children's books for a fiver at the lighthouse
Giftshop in Salthill, Co Galway.


18: A GAME of golf at Navan Golf Range at one of four times


19: ADMiSSiON to the afternoon show at Duffys Circus in Goatstown
Co Dublin.


20: LARGE chicken (usually EUR9.99) at Paddy Byrne's Butchers
in Kildare Town.