The first month of the new year has been challenging for many businesses as the lockdown continues. Realistically, it will be March at the earliest before we see some businesses reopen and probably after Easter for others. It is important that people continue to abide by the rules and then hopefully our economy can reopen.
Schools are unlikely to open until 8th of March 2021 at the earliest.
Our ‘Laptops For Schools Initiative’ has provided 48 laptops for local pupils to help with their home schooling. Regrettably, there are many more school children we haven’t been able to help.
If your business can help in anyway, get in touch with me at:
admin@newrychamber.com
Finally, we had a good webinar yesterday on what the new Brexit Deal means for your business and there is a link to the video below.
Also, don’t forget to join our three New 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
£3,500 GRANT FOR LIMITED COMPANY DIRECTORS
The Minister for the Economy has announced details of the Limited Company Director’s Support Scheme, designed to provide financial support to company directors who have personally been adversely impacted by COVID-19.
The scheme is administered by Invest Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for the Economy.
The Limited Company Director’s Support Scheme will provide an initial one-off taxable grant of £3,500 to eligible company directors who meet the criteria.
While applications are invited from individuals who hold more than one directorship, only one application is allowed per person.
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Thursday 18th February 2021 at 6pm
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
RECORDING: THE NI PROTOCOL & THE BREXIT DEAL
You can now view our webinar from yesterday in full on:
“The NI Protocol & The Brexit Deal.”
The NI Protocol and the new trade deal between the UK and the EU has been in operation for nearly a month. The new arrangements have not been without their difficulties, particularly at our ports.
Our expert panel discussed whether we are facing short-term challenges or will some businesses need to rethink the way they do business?
As the new arrangements bed in, we also heard whether businesses based in Northern Ireland will benefit from direct access to the Single Market & GB?
OUR PANEL SPEAKERS INCLUDED:
Jonathan Walsh
Director, Fortior Insight
Set out an overview of the NI Protocol and Brexit Deal.
Seamus Leheny
Policy Manager, Logistics UK
Examined issues at ports and what you need to do to keep your goods moving.
Deirdre Maguire
Brexit Support Manager, InterTradeIreland
Provided an update on the support and advice available from InterTradeIreland.
Colleen Flanagan
Manager, PKF-FPM Chartered Accountants
Explored the issues around VAT.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH WEBINAR.
UPDATE: FIRMUS ENERGY GAS WORKS, NEWRY
Firmus Energy has commenced gas main laying works on the Dublin Road, Newry today, Thurs 28th Jan 2021 (Hawthorne Hill to Drumalane Road).
A resource has been made available and as this is can be a very busy road and they are starting work much earlier than had initially been programmed. This should be an advantageous as traffic is lighter due to the ongoing lockdown. Also DfI Roads are anxious to try an complete any works in the current quiet times.
Gas main laying on the Dublin Road, Newry should take 5-6 weeks to complete if all goes to plan.
Works on Hill Street, Newry is progressing as good as can be expected, it’s slow but they are still on programme, approximately 200mts in the ground out of a total of 1650mts for Newry City Centre.
SRC: HLA FREE EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT SERVICE
Southern Regional College (SRC) has launched their new online Higher Level Apprenticeship Booklet.
For information on all HLA courses and SRC’s HLA application process, please click HERE.
Check out Employer Section at the back of the booklet with 50+ vacancies on offer for September 2021.
Watch out for further information on www.src.ac.uk.
You can now register your interest to view SRC’s HLA Talent Pool for 2021 HERE.
PHA: TRANSLATED COVID-19 DOCUMENTS
For those businesses who employ any foreign nationals, you may find this document useful as it provides access to Public Health Agency COVID-19 posters and videos that have been translated into multiple languages.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DOCUMENTS.