There is now just one week left to register our NI Small Business Conference 2021. This year’s virtual conference is focused on providing practical advice and support for small businesses across a range of subjects, PR & Media, Digital Marketing, Access to Finance and How to Win New Business.
You can find more information about the programme and how to register below.
We have also provided information on a range of support, including grants that are still available for businesses. Some of these grants close within the next few weeks and if you are interested, you will find further information below.
The closing date for the EU Settlement Scheme is now less than two weeks away. Many of our local businesses still employ foreign nationals and it is vital that your workers are registered by the 30th June 2021 deadline.
In addition to providing cover to continue working, it will also give them access to services like health and education for their families.
Finally, don’t forget to join our three Facebook Groups, which have been set up by the Chamber to support local businesses.
1. SHOP, DINE & STAY NEWRY – JOIN GROUP HERE.
2. NETWORK NEWRY – JOIN GROUP HERE.
3. JOBS NEWRY – JOIN GROUP HERE.
Colm Shannon
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
1 WEEK TO GO: NI SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE 2021
DATE: Thursday 24th June 2021
TIME: 9am – 1pm
We would like to encourage all members to register now for NI Small Business Conference 2021, which will help businesses plan a pathway for growth and recovery.
The programme will include keynote addresses from:
► Richard Ramsey, Chief Economist NI, Ulster Bank
► Brian Reid, CEO, DELI LITES Ireland
► Grainne McCoy, Owner, Give Us Beauty
Supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the FREE virtual conference will provide small businesses with practical advice, tools and solutions to help them in their growth and recovery, post-Brexit and COVID-19.
You can view the full programme HERE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
APPLY: SME BREXIT SUPPORT FUND
With less than two weeks to go before the deadline, small and medium sized businesses in Northern Ireland are encouraged to apply for funding to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU.
If your business has less than 500 employees and no more than a £100 million annual turnover, you can apply to the SME Brexit Support Fund.
The £20m SME Brexit Support Fund, which closes on the 30th June 2021, enables businesses who trade with the EU to access up to £2,000 of funding for practical support including training and professional advice on new customs, rules of origin and VAT processes.
Since launching in March 2021, 157 businesses from Northern Ireland have submitted applications, with a total of £252,239 in funding applied for so far.
Fund is open to applications until 30th June 2021 or earlier if all funding is allocated before this date.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
APPLY: DIGITAL CAPABILITY SELLING GRANT
The COVID-19 Digital Selling Capability Grant (DSCG) will help established retail and wholesale businesses in Northern Ireland to grow their business online.
This second call for applications is now open to any small or medium sized retailer or wholesaler in NI with 5 employees or more.
The business must have an existing online presence and want to enhance its digital offering to expand its customer base, improve e-commerce capability and increase online sales.
Businesses can access a maximum grant of £20,000 to support 50% of eligible costs for projects. The projects must have a minimum eligible expenditure of £10,000.
Scheme is open to applications on 9th July 2021.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK IF YOUR BUSINESS IS ELIGIBLE.
NOTE TO EMPLOYERS: THE EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME
Our member, Granite Immigration Law have provided us with a very helpful 2 page document which summarises the key points you need to be aware of as an employer in relation to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) which closesfor applications on 30th June 2021.
If you employ workers from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, to help minimise the impact that the UK leaving the EU may have on your business and staff you should notify them to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
EU, EEA & Swiss citizens and their family members, who were resident in the UK by 31st December 2020, should apply without delay so that they can continue to work, study, access free healthcare and benefits in Northern Ireland after 30th June 2021.
This important summary of the EUSS covers:
► Who Needs To Apply?
► EUSS and Employer Obliigations.
► Rights To Work Checks.
We would encourage any members who employ workers from the EU, EEA or Switzerland to take a few minutes and read this important summary via the link below.
CLICK HERE TO READ SUMMARY.
SRC FULLY-FUNDED COURSES FOR BUSINESSES
SRC’s Business Support & Innovation Team has recently launched the Courses for Industry 2021/22 brochure, which showcases a wealth of courses most of which are fully-funded for local businesses with under 250 employees and social enterprises.
A wide range of courses are available including:
► Food Safety
► Health & Social Care
► Leadership & Management
► Social Media & Digital Marketing
► Plus many more