‘We help our members grow through a variety of networking opportunities.’

BUSINESS UPDATE: Thursday 2nd December 2021

Newry Chamber hosted our first ever NI Workplace Health & Wellbeing Conference this week at the Canal Court Hotel & Spa, Newry. Over 100 delegates heard from a range of expert speakers from organisations who can help businesses implement effective health and wellbeing strategies.

If you were unable to attend the conference in person, you can view the slides of our speakers and watch their presentations in full HERE.

In this update, I have also included information on:

  • Hospitality Ulster Guidance: Proof of Covid Status
  • Trusts Opens Series of Vaccination Booster Clinics
  • Less Than A Month Until Full Customs Controls Introduced
  • Webinar: Returning to Office/Working from Home
  • Invite: Newry Chamber AGM 2021
  • Event: Meet The New Chamber President & Board
  • Newry Business Charity Christmas Appeal 2021

Finally, I would like to highlight our upcoming events, you can register below.

Newry Chamber AGM 2021
Thursday 9th December, 5:30pm – 7pm – REGISTER HERE

Webinar: Returning to Office/Working from Home Webinar
Friday 10th December, 1pm – 2pm – REGISTER HERE

Meet The New Chamber President & Board
Thursday 16th December, 7:30am – 9am – REGISTER HERE

Tony McKeown
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade

HOSPITALITY ULSTER GUIDANCE: PROOF OF COVID STATUS

Hospitality Ulster has recently issued guidance on the legal requirement for proof of Covid status.

In addition to existing legal requirements, the Executive has introduced a law to require ‘Proof of Covid Status’ to access a range of premises and events.

Whilst these do not currently include unlicensed premises (unless BYO is allowed) they have indicated that this is a stay of execution and it is their intention that unlicensed premises will be included at a future date.

The Covid Status regulations came into effect on, Mon 29th Nov 2021 but won’t be legally enforced until Mon 13th Dec 2021, as there will be a 14-day grace period before fixed penalty notices could be issued.

With emotions running high about Covid Status checks, it is important to inform the public that business owners and their staff are compelled by law to undertake Covid Status Checks and that staff are not put in a position where they are at risk of verbal or physical abuse.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW GUIDANCE.

TRUSTS OPEN SERIES OF VACCINATION BOOSTER CLINICS

Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA has confirmed a major expansion of NI’s COVID-19 vaccination programme to help meet current and forthcoming demand for booster doses.

The Minister revealed details of Health Trust vaccination hubs and clinics that are opening this week across NI. These will complement the ongoing vaccination work of GPs and local pharmacies, significantly increasing the system’s capacity to deliver boosters.

People in the 50 plus age range now have a choice of waiting to be invited in by their GP for their booster or going to a local pharmacy or the Trust Centres.

Trust centres are also providing ongoing first and second doses for all eligible age groups and will open soon to the 40-49 year olds for their booster doses. 

Most Trust vaccination hubs are offering walk-in and booked appointments which can be made HERE. A list of pharmacies offering booster jabs is available HERE.

Southern Trust Newry Vaccination Clinic Details:
Newry Leisure Centre, Thurs 2nd Dec 2021, 12pm – 8pm

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

ONE MONTH UNTIL FULL CUSTOMS CONTROLS INTRODUCED

HMRC are reminding traders to prepare for customs changes that come into effect on 1st January 2022.

If you’re a trader, a number of things are changing from 1 January 2022. This information will help you get ready.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

WEBINAR: THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF RETURNING
TO THE OFFICE/WORKING FROM HOME

DATE: Friday 10th December 2021
TIME: 1pm – 2pm
ZOOM: Online Webinar

We are delighted to host an important upcoming webinar with Rosemary Connolly and Leanne Murphy from Rosemary Connolly Solicitors, Warrenpoint.

They will discuss the legal implications for returning to the office/working from home.

In this FREE webinar, we will discuss the following:

  • Returning to office/workplace in the ‘new normal’, Hybrid Working.
  • Possible amendments to employees contracts of employment/employers policies.
  • Employers continuing obligations towards employees’ health and safety at work.
  • Assistance available for employers.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE.

INVITE: NEWRY CHAMBER AGM 2021

DATE: Thursday 9th December 2021
TIME: 5:30pm – 7pm

This year’s AGM will be held on Thurs 9th Dec 2021 from 5:30pm – 7pm at Custom House, Newry but you also have option to attend the AGM virtually via Zoom. 

Buffet food will be available at the start of the meeting.

Election to the Chamber’s Council
As per our Articles of Association, a third of Elected members of the Council shall retire at each AGM. Therefore, we have now up to eight vacancies on the Chamber’s Council.

If you would like to be considered for the Chamber’s Council or recommend anyone else, nominations must be submitted in writing to: tony@newrychamber.com

CLICK HERE REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON.
CLICK HERE ATTEND AGM VIA ZOOM.

MEET THE NEW CHAMBER PRESIDENT & BOARD

DATE: Thursday 16th December 2021
TIME: 7:30am – 9am
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel & Spa, Newry
COST: FREE (Breakfast Included)

As we approach the end of the year, our new Chamber President who will be announced at our AGM next week will host a breakfast briefing for members. 

This is an opportunity to connect with fellow Chamber members and hear from our new members who have joined the Chamber throughout 2021.

You will also have the chance to meet with our new Chamber President & Chamber Board as well as hearing about the Chamber’s plans for 2022.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

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 December 2021.

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.