One month on and Brexit is still dominating the news. The NI Protocol remains a “work in progress” as political discussions continue and business work behind the scenes to resolve some of the issues.
We hope our Brexit Support Webinar last Wednesday helped to keep businesses up to date on the key issues. Yesterday, the Chamber was involved in meetings with the NI Economy Minister and Deputy First Minister around COVID-19 & Brexit issues.
You can view a recording of our webinar on:
“The NI Protocol & The Brexit Deal” HERE.
As the year progresses we will continue to represent the views of members and businesses across the Greater Newry Area.
This year’s North/South Conference with Dundalk Chamber is on 10th March 2021. We have secured a strong line up of speakers and if you are interested in attending, you can register below.
Over the past number of years, the Chamber has developed a strong working partnership with Newry BID. Their revote is in March and if your business is a member of Newry BID, it is important that you vote for them to ensure they can continue. Further information about this and other current news can be found below.
If you are a small retailer interested in developing your online presence, this week the NI Economy Minister launched a Micro-business E-commerce Grant for retailers. Information on this new scheme can also be found below.
Also, 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
MICRO-BUSINESS E-COMMERCE GRANT
The Minister for the Economy, Diane Dodds MLA has announced a new £3 million scheme to help NI-based retail micro-business retailers develop their sales online.
The Micro-business E-commerce Grant (MBEG) is open to any micro-sized retailer that wants to prepare for growth, develop their customer base and find new markets by enhancing their digital offering, building their e-commerce capability and increasing their online sales.
The Micro-business E-commerce Grant (MBEG) was developed and is operated by Invest NI.
Businesses can access up to a maximum grant of £5,000 to support 80% of eligible costs (projects must have a minimum of £1,250 of eligible expenditure).
The grant will be issued to eligible businesses on a first-come-first-served basis. Invest NI recommends that you make a timely submission as the grant will close to applications, either:
► When the available budget is fully allocated: or
► On the closing date, whichever comes first.
IS YOUR BUSINESS ELIGIBLE?
To find out if you are eligible to apply for this scheme, please complete the eligibility checkerHERE.
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Applications for the scheme are open now and will close on Friday 12th March 2021 at 6pm.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
POST-BREXIT CONFERENCE 2021
The Annual Newry & Dundalk Chambers’ Cross-Border Conference will focus on sustaining and building cross-border cooperation and trade.
DATE: Wednesday 10th March 2021
TIME: 9am – 1:30pm
COST: FREE
ZOOM: VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
The NI Protocol has resulted in no hard border on the island of Ireland. But what support is available to help businesses involved in North/South trade?
Just over 2 months after the end of transition period, this Cross-Border Conference will provide businesses with an update on the challenges, opportunities and support available.
Key government representatives, policy officials and business advisers will set out the shape of future cross-border cooperation and trade for businesses.
Keep an eye on your emails and our social media channels for the announcements of our high-profile guest speakers which will be published in due course.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
► Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
► Louth County Council
► InterTradeIreland
► Louth Local Enterprise Office
► M1 Corridor
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
VOTE ‘YES’ TO NEWRY BID SECOND TERM
Vote ‘YES’ to Newry BID for 5 more years, ahead of their revote date in March 2021, if successful, they will invest in the region of £1.4m over that period in Newry.
Eamonn Connolly, Manager at Newry BID said:
“It couldn’t have come at a worse time, but it couldn’t have come at a better time in some ways, as we believe the only way we will get through this pandemic is by working together.”
“We were due to have our revote in February but due to the current restrictions we have pushed it back as far as we can until March.”
“After 31st March 2021, without a successful revote BID ceases to exist with nothing to replace it.”
“If we are successful however, we have a clear business strategy shaped by our members who have been telling us what they want from as far back as October time.”
“We also have a full programme of activities to support promoting Newry as a safe place to return to, to stay, eat and shop when we are able to do so.”
“We cannot do any of this without our businesses voting YES in postal vote between 11th Feb 2021 and 25th March 2021. We need at least 25% turnout for the vote to be valid so every vote counts.”
Vote ‘YES’ from 11th Feb 2021 to 25th March 2021 to retain all these services in Newry City Centre from our friends and colleagues in Newry BID.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
INVEST NI: EU EXIT ADVICE CLINICS
The end of the EU Exit transition period means new requirements and processes for Northern Ireland firms moving goods across borders. Getting to grips with the changes is essential to ensure that your goods continue to flow and you minimise any disruption.
As part of their EU Exit Series, Invest Northern Ireland are running advice clinics over the next few weeks to help you talk through your EU Exit queries with specialist advisors across a wide range of areas.
You will have the opportunity to make appointments with specialist advisors in key areas for advice and guidance, tailored to the needs of your business.
Specialist areas include:
► Transport and logistics
► Customs, tariffs and taxation
► Supply chain and strategic sourcing
► EEA worker rights and employer visa sponsorship
► Sending or receiving personal data and legal advice
The 20-min appointment slots must be pre-booked and will operate on a first-come first-served basis.
Thursday 11th February 2021 – REGISTER NOW
Thursday 18th February 2021 – REGISTER NOW
CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST OF PROGRAMMES.
NMD BUSINESS PODCASTS
‘PREPARING A 100-DAY CASHFLOW PROJECTION’
Preparing a 100-day Cashflow projection will help you get a clear sense of how your cash position is likely to change over the next 3 months and beyond COVID-19.
Learn how to project accurately, develop a clear picture of what your local business needs to do to survive and consolidate in the short term.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST.
‘MANAGING SELF IN A CHANGING WORLD’
Managing Self is part of owning a business, particularly now more than ever. COVID-19 has had and continues to have a serious impact on local businesses throughout the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.
This podcast will equip you to better manage yourself, for your own benefit and also for the benefit of those you lead. How you remain resilient, proactive, focused and organised is central to this, helping you to prioritise well, manage time effectively and concentrate on the things that you can really influence.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST.
DfE: POINTS-BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM
Please view two useful documents for local employers by clicking on the links below:
Immigration & Visas – Useful Links
Points-Based Immigration System – Implications for NI