Gorey has been nominated by Wexford County Council for the Retail Excellence Award and is a national finalist for the prestigious title of Ireland’s Friendliness Place.

Gorey Chamber celebrated the news at last Tuesday’s lunch in Partridges Bistro where the town’s ambassadors for the award were named.

The nine ambassadors that were included in the mystery judging were Pettitts Supervalu, Ruby Rouge, Munchkins Toy Store, Redmond Electric, Azure Beauty Salon, Myles Doyle Select Grocer and Fine Wine Merchant, The Duck @ Marlfield, ECO Pizzeria and Restaurant and Funges of Gorey Ltd.

Speaking to The Echo from his office in Gorey Business Park, Dick White of Gorey Chamber commented: “This is a national award and we are thrilled that Gorey has been selected as one of three finalists.

The judging was intensive and covered a broad range of areas including customer service, shop fronts, the urban streetscape in additional to other criteria.

The overall winner will be announced in Dublin on Saturday, November 5, and hopes are high for a Gorey victory, but it is acknowledged that the competition is stiff with Ennis and Navan being the other finalists.