As we approach Easter, there is still no news about the reopening of the retail and hospitality sectors. Newry Chamber is now a member of a network of key business organisations which is working to encourage the NI Executive to publish a clear plan with indicative dates for reopening. We will keep members advised of progress.
If you deferred your VAT last year, HMRC has published guidance on how you can pay it, including by instalments.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is also running a series of webinars promoting the value of apprenticeships. The webinars take place over the next few months and you can find further information below.
The second in our series of lunchtime Coffee & Catch-up Sessions is tomorrow. There is still time to register. It is a great opportunity to catch up with other members.
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
BCRD: SKILLS & EMPLOYABILITY APPRENTICESHIP WEBINARS
Through the Belfast Region City Deal, NMDDC are shining a spotlight on apprenticeships, with a series of informative webinars for local employers, funded by the DfE’s Apprenticeship Challenge Fund.
The webinars aim to provide valuable and timely information for local employers on how others in their sector have taken on apprentices to attract new talent to their industry and to shape and develop their skills.
The webinars will give an overview of the full range of provision available, highlight apprenticeship information, guidance and funding support so that as many of our local employers and job seekers can benefit.
The webinars also presents a great opportunity for local employers to have their say on how the current apprenticeship system could be enhanced to better meet their needs as the Belfast City Deal Region team are currently researching how the project can shape the future of apprenticeships to achieve the best results possible for the local economy.
WEBINAR: Apprenticeships Life & Health Sciences
Wednesday 28th April at 10am – REGISTER HERE
WEBINAR: Apprenticeships Public Sector
Tuesday 11th May at 10am – REGISTER HERE
WEBINAR: Apprenticeships Pro & Business Services
Tuesday 1st June at 10am – REGISTER HERE
WEBINAR: Apprenticeships Digital Sector
Tuesday 15th June at 10am – REGISTER HERE
PAY VAT DEFERRED DUE TO COVID-19
If you deferred VAT payments due between 20th March and 30th June 2020 and still have payments to make, you can:
- Pay the deferred VAT payment in full, on or before 31st March 2021.
- Join the VAT deferral new payment scheme – the online service is open between 23rd February and 21st June 2021.
- Contact HMRC on Telephone: 0800 024 1222 by 30th June 2021 if you need extra help to pay.
You may be charged interest or a penalty if you do not:
- Pay the deferred VAT in full by 31st March 2021.
- Opt into new payment scheme by 21st June 2021.
- Agree help to pay with HMRC by 30th June 2021.
PAY YOUR DEFERRED VAT:
Pay your deferred VAT in full by 31st March 2021.
You do not need to contact HMRC.
JOIN THE VAT DEFERRAL NEW PAYMENT SCHEME:
The VAT deferral new payment scheme is open from 23rd February up to and including 21st June 2021.
If you’re on the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme or the VAT Payment on Account Scheme, you can join the scheme from 10th March 2021.
The new scheme lets you:
- Pay your deferred VAT in equal instalments, interest free.
- Choose the number of instalments, from 2 to 11 (depending on when you join).
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
NEW CO-FUND NI FUNDING OF OVER £16M TO SUPPORT SMEs
Economy Minister, Diane Dodds MLA has announced that Co-investment Fund (Co-Fund) NI is receiving additional funding of over £16m to support NI SMEs.
Co-Fund NI is an equity fund managed by Clarendon Fund Managers. It provides growth capital to early stage, high-growth potential SMEs alongside lead private investors.
The additional £16m funding is a combined investment between Invest NI and the Regional Angels Programme delivered by British Business Investments, a commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank.
Invest NI has provided £6.1m towards the funding uplift. British Business Investments has also committed £10m through its Regional Angels Programme.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
RECRUITMENT FOR TWO NON-EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
TO THE BOARD OF WARRENPOINT HARBOUR AUTHORITY
Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon MLA has announced a recruitment campaign to appoint two Non-Executive Members to Warrenpoint Harbour Authority.
The time commitment for the post will be 1 to 2 business days per month. The Non-Executive Members will be expected to attend all Board meetings and other ad hoc meetings as required. The Members will receive remuneration of £7,807 per annum (under review) and reasonable travel and subsistence costs.
The appointment will be effective from 1st August 2021 and will run for a period of up to four years.
The competition documents, including the Candidate Information Booklet which provides details of the role and competition criteria at can be accessed HERE.
Applications will be welcomed from all sections of the community.
Women, younger people, people with disabilities and people from ethnic minority communities are currently under-represented on DfI Boards. Applications from members of these groups would be particularly welcome.
CLOSING DATE:
Completed applications must be returned to the Department by 12 noon on Friday 16th April 2021.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION: NEWRY CITY CENTRE REGENERATION
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has launched an online public consultation on its regeneration proposals for Newry City Centre. Their plans represent an important investment in our city centre.
The consultation provides an opportunity to comment on the plans for the new Theatre/Arts Centre and the Council’s new Offices. As a business, it is important that you share your views by taking part in the consultation.
There are three ways to participate including:
► Online Survey
► Online Workshops
► Direct Correspondence
ONLINE SURVEY:
You can provide feedback via the online survey HERE.
The survey opened Monday 8th March 2021 at 12 noon and will close on Monday 31st May 2021 at 12 noon.
ONLINE WORKSHOPS:
The online workshop option is delivered via Zoom.
To provide your feedback via an online workshop, please click on the link to book in to one of the five online workshops outlined below, register HERE.
► Wednesday 14th April 2021 at 2pm
► Thursday 22th April 2021 at 10am
► Tuesday 27th April 2021 at 7pm
► Wednesday 5th May 2021 at 7pm
► Thursday 13th May 2021 at 10am
EMAIL:
You can email or write to Otium Leisure Consultancy with your views, who have been commissioned by NMDDC to complete the public consultation.
Email: otiumlc@gmail.com
Address: 70 Main Street, Broughshane, BT42 4JW
COFFEE & CATCH-UP: VIRTUAL NETWORKING EVENT
Bring your own coffee and join us for the second lunchtime virtual networking event for our members hosted by Newry Chamber President, Emma Mullen-Marmion.
DATE: Friday 26th March 2021
TIME: 1pm – 2pm
Chamber membership centres around growing your network of contacts, which can be challenging in a time of social restrictions.
This event is an opportunity for members who are interested in connecting with other Chamber members in an informal and relaxed atmosphere.
We will discuss the challenges and opportunities for businesses during and after COVID-19.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
FREE DIGITAL BITESIZE WORKSHOP: LINKEDIN
Join us for the second of three member’s sessions designed by our member Niall Parfitt, Owner of Atlanticus Digital he will highlight practical tools to develop your knowledge of LinkedIn and provide you with learning resources.
The first workshop held last week was very popular,
so register early to guarantee your space.
DATE: Friday 16th April 2021
TIME: 1pm – 2pm
OUTLINE:
► Background and Introductions
► Inbound Marketing
► Background to LinkedIn
► LinkedIn for Lead Generation
► Expectations and Goal Setting
► Profile Surgery
► Company Page Surgery
► Producing Effective Content
► LinkedIn Groups
► Measuring Success – Using LinkedIn Analytics
► LinkedIn Video
► LinkedIn Events
► New LinkedIn Tools
► How We Can Help Your Inbound Marketing Strategy
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.