Thank you to everyone who took part in our two events this week. Firstly, the Budget Briefing with Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA which you read more on HERE.
Secondly, our ‘Meet Newry’s Young Entrepreneurs’ event which was of part of NMD Enterprise Week 2021. Thank you to our four panelists and all of the attendees.
In this update, I have also included information on:
• Hight Street Task Force: Call for Evidence Newry Workshop
• Invest NI: Recovery Innovations Grant for SMEs
• NI Reval2023: Rebalancing Business Rates
• Newry Business Charity Christmas Appeal 2021
We are preparing for another busy period of events over the next few weeks which you can register for via the links below.
I would like to highlight the NI Workplace Health & Wellbeing Conference. This is a new event for the Chamber and is in response to member’s feedback. It is FREE to attend. We have also added a whiskey tasting experience with local brands at the Bridge Bar, Newry. This is limited to 30 places.
President’s Banquet & 200th Anniversary Lunch
Friday 19th November 2021, 12 noon – 3pm – BOOK HERE
HMRC Trader Support Service (TSS) Webinar
Tuesday 23rd November 2021, 10am – 11:30am – BOOK HERE
NI Workplace Health & Wellbeing Conference
Tuesday 30th November 2021, 8am – 12:30pm – BOOK HERE
Whiskey Tasting Experience at The Bridge Bar, Newry
Thursday 2nd December 2021, 8pm – 9:30pm – BOOK HERE
Newry Chamber AGM 2021
Thursday 9th December 2021, 5:30pm – 7pm – BOOK HERE
Tony McKeown
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
NI WORKPLACE HEALTH & WELLBEING CONFERENCE
DATE: Tuesday 30th November 2021
TIME: 8am – 12:30pm
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel & Spa
COST: FREE (Breakfast Included)
Newry Chamber is delighted to officially launch our first NI Workplace Health & Wellbeing Conference.
The FREE conference will include keynote speakers, case studies and an exhibition space.
Thank you to our principal sponsors:
• Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
• Action Mental Health
It is open to organisations of any size from across Northern Ireland, not just the Greater Newry Area.
The conference will include expert speakers from many specialist organisations and local employers who are leading the way with their programmes.
We are looking forward to keynote addresses from:
Nicola Connolly Byrne, Empowerment Specialist
John Ryan, Founder & CEO, Healthy Place to Work
There will also be contributions from:
• Action Mental Health
• Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke
• Money and Pensions Service
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE.
HSTF CALL FOR EVIDENCE NEWRY WORKSHOP
The Executive Office formed the High Street Task Force to identify the challenges and issues that high streets face and to oversee the development of solutions and actions that can be taken to support local high streets.
As part of the High Street Task Force Call for Evidence, the Executive Office are hosting a workshop in Newry.
DATE: Tuesday 23rd November 2021
TIME: 6pm – 8pm (Doors Open 5:30pm)
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel & Spa
They are being carried out around the country to allow in-person views to be heard and discussed.
Places at the workshop are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
To register your interest in attending, please email the High Street Task Force, stating you wish to attend the Newry workshop and they will confirm availability and lease state any special requirements that you may need.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST: highstreet@communities-ni.gov.uk
INVEST NI ECONOMIC RECOVERY INNOVATION GRANT
Invest NI launched Economic Recovery Innovation Grant this week to support SMEs to develop and implement innovative projects.
The Economic Recovery Innovation Grant (ERIG) will provide up to £5,000 to help local businesses develop new or improve existing products, services or processes through innovation.
The grant will support eligible costs including:
• Testing and developing new products or processes
• Equipment
• Skills development
• Marketing
• Consultancy
The grant is open to any business that can demonstrate it meets all the eligibility criteria outlined in the HERE.
You should then complete the Eligibility Checker to find out if you are eligible for the grant before applying.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
Monday 31st January 2022 at 5pm.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
NI REVAL2023: REBALANCING BUSINESS RATES
Known as NI Reval2023, the process to gather rental evidence and other information will result in a new non-domestic Valuation List coming into effect in April 2023, when new rate bills issue to all businesses.
The last revaluation of business properties was in 2020 and was based on 2018 rental values. Since then we have experienced unprecedented economic change and are seeing the knock on effect on property markets.
While many businesses continue to face challenges, this revaluation will provide a current picture of rental values and maintain fairness across the rating system.
NI Reval2023 is about bringing rateable values into line with October 2021 property values. The new rateable values will change what one property pays relative to another, according to how their individual values have changed. This is only one aspect of the rating process.
The multipliers (known as rate poundages), which are used to calculate business rates both at regional and district council level, then adjust proportionately after a revaluation to take account of the overall total change of value and the two parts combined result in new rates bills in April 2023.
Land & Property Services wrote to local businesses last month to complete a Rent and Lease questionnaire.
We are encouraging all businesses to play their part in rebalancing business rates by returning the information requested as soon as possible and by the deadline of 31st December 2021.
READ MORE & COMPLETE QUESTIONNAIRE HERE.
NEWRY BUSINESS CHARITY CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2021
Newry Business Charity Christmas Dinner committee are delighted to launch the 22nd year of building the famous ‘Toy Mountain’ in Newry, having raised some £1.6 million over the last 21 years.
With the ongoing Covid-19 situation, the committee has taken the reluctant decision that the annual Newry Business Charity Christmas Dinner will not take place again this year and virtual event will happen in its place.
The ‘Toy Mountain’ will rise once again this year in the Canal Court Hotel on Friday 10th December2021.
They have two methods of donating or giving:
(1) Donate cash via their GoFundMe page HERE.
(2) Toy Mountain donation drop-off points below.
• Newry Reporter, Margaret Street, Newry
• Jack Murphy Jewellers, Hill Street, Newry
• Bradley Estates (Newry, Warrenpoint, Rostrevor)
• The Quays Shopping Centre, Newry
• Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry
• Grant Fit Out, Carnbane Business Park, Newry
Please support this great cause in any way you can.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.