Many businesses are now getting ready for reopening in the next few weeks.
Close contact services reopens tomorrow, Fri 23rd April 2021 and non-essential retail reopens on Fri 30th April 2021. Hopefully, if the infection figures don’t rise, everyone including hospitality will be in a position to reopen on Mon 24th May 2021.
The guidance on reopening is expected to be similar to the last time. For hospitality businesses that are planning to open outdoor spaces, we have provided some information below. The regulations are likely to define outdoor space in the same way as outdoor smoking areas are currently defined. It would be important to plan on this basis. Once the Chamber has further information, we will provide an update.
Next week is the SRC’s Big Apprenticeship Event. This is an important event both for businesses and young people planning their future careers. Further information is available below.
I have also provided an update on the Coronavirus Large NAV Business Grant which opened for applications yesterday. The article below provides details on eligibility and how to apply.
Colm Shannon
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
REOPENING OUTDOOR AREAS AT HOSPITALITY VENUES
On 30th April 2021, outdoor areas at hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, social clubs, including in members’ clubs) can reopen.
A maximum of six people from two households can be seated together. Children aged 12 and under are not counted in the total and more than six will also be permitted if they all belong to a single household.
Apart from entering and leaving the premises, the only movement allowed indoors is to access toilet facilities, to select food from a buffet or to pay, however, social distancing must be maintained.
Venues will also be required to collect customer details to help with the Test, Trace, Protect contact tracing programme.
Customer details will include the:
- Date and time of arrival.
- Name and telephone number of one member of each household.
- Number of individuals from a person’s household visiting the premises at that time.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
SRC’S BIG APPRENTICESHIP EVENT 2021
The Big Apprenticeship Event goes online for 2021.
Launching on Tues 27th April 2021 there is something for potential Apprentices, Parents/Guardians, Education and Employers.
In pre-recorded panel discussions, you will hear from:
► Businesses, Council’s and Education
► Current Level 2/3 Apprentices and HLAs
► NI’s Top Science Employers (Recruiting for Sep 2021)
► Local Employers (Recruiting for Sep 2021)
There will also be Daily Q&A Chat 1-3pm and 6-8pm from Tues 27th April 2021 to Thurs 29th April 2021.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
CORONAVIRUS LARGE NAV BUSINESS GRANT
The Large NAV Business Grant has now opened for applications. The scheme provides financial support to businesses that occupied commercial premises with an NAV (Net Annual Value) over £51,000 at 1st March 2021 that were awarded the 12-month rates holiday for the 2020-21 period, subject to some exclusions
Businesses which were eligible for the 12-month rates holiday include retail, hospitality, tourism, leisure, manufacturing, childcare and newspaper producers.
The scheme is designed to support the business which is the main occupier of a property, not the landlord or managing agent or any businesses/self-employed parties who rent part of the property from the main occupying business.
Occupying businesses who consider themselves eligible for support from this scheme can apply even if they are not the named ratepayer on the business rate bill for the property.
Only one grant will be paid to businesses which occupy multiple premises.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
BREXIT: GUIDANCE & SUPPORT FOR
NI BUSINESSES IN ADVANCE OF REOPENING
With the recent announcement of COVID restrictions easing across Northern Ireland many businesses will be reopening for the first time since new rules came into effect upon the end of the EU exit transition period from 1st January 2021.
In particular, businesses will now need to consider new requirements under the NI Protocol, particularly when sourcing goods from GB suppliers.
The EU Exit Checklist – 10 Steps To Take has been updated to reflect this.
The guidance sets out steps all NI businesses can take now in advance of reopening to prepare for these changes. It also signposts businesses to further guidance and towards the range of support on offer to assist with navigating these changes.
It should assist businesses to avoid unnecessary disruption to supply chains when preparing to reopen.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION: NEWRY CITY CENTRE REGENERATION
We wish to remind members to let NMDDC know your views on regeneration proposals for Newry City Centre, with the online survey still open for 6 weeks.
The consultation has generated a range of FAQs which you can view in a graphic HERE.
ONLINE SURVEY:
You can provide feedback via the online survey HERE.
This will close on Monday 31st May 2021 at 12 noon.
ONLINE WORKSHOPS:
You can provide your feedback via an online workshop, please click on the link to book in to one of the three remaining online workshops below, register HERE.
► Tuesday 27th April 2021 at 7pm
► Wednesday 5th May 2021 at 7pm
► Thursday 13th May 2021 at 10am
EVENT: YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY TO NET ZERO IN NI
In conjunction with the Northern Ireland Office and the Federation of Small Businesses NI, BEIS is holding an event, ‘Your Business Journey To Net Zero In NI’.
DATE: Thursday 29th April 2021
TIME: 10am – 4pm
The event is aimed at SMEs in NI who want to play their part in climate change, but don’t know where to start.
The event will deliver tools, solutions and ideas to help small businesses map their best next steps and will feature speakers and businesses from across the region as well as national speakers.
Not only can attendees learn about practical solutions to embark on their own Net Zero Journey, but they can also consider the business opportunities stemming from the transition to a low carbon economy.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
EVENT: CONNECTING TO TRADE
‘Connecting To Trade’ is a new informative and interactive online series of discussions with businesses, professional services experts, affiliated business groups/regional chambers of commerce and government agencies on topics of interest to the Irish-UK business community, hosted by John McGrane, Director General, British Irish Chamber of Commerce.
DATE: Thursday 29th April 2021
TIME: 2pm – 3pm
In the first event in the series, delivered in partnership with kmend and The North East England Chamber, they will discuss some of the key features and aspects of doing business post-Brexit between Ireland and UK and how companies have found solutions to some of the initial challenges to enable them to continue trading and growing in 2021.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.