In this week’s update, we have included information on the deadline to use your £100 Spend Local Cards being extended by two weeks to 14th December 2021.
We also have details on InterTradeIreland’s latest business monitor which reveals economic recovery on track despite challenges and a reminder that NMD Enterprise Week 2021 runs throughout next week, details on all the events can be found below.
It was great to welcome recently appointed NI Minister of State, Conor Burns MP to Newry City last week to meet with a number of our members were we discussed productivity, growth, bridging skills gaps and increasing employment.
We are gearing up for busy month of events in November and we have two FREE member events next week which you can still register for via the links below.
Budget Engagement with Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA
Wednesday 10th November 2021, 7:30am – 9am – BOOK HERE
Meet Newry’s Young Entrepreneurs
Thursday 11th November 2021, 7:45am – 9am – BOOK HERE
Tony McKeown
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
BREAKFAST SEMINAR: BUDGET ENGAGEMENT EVENT
WITH FINANCE MNISTER, CONOR MURPHY MLA
DATE: Wednesday 10th November 2021
TIME: 7:30am – 9am
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel & Spa
COST: FREE (Breakfast Bap & Tea/Coffee Provided)
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA will join Chamber Members to provide an update on what the outcome of the Spending Review means for public finances here.
The Spending Review announced on 27th October 2021 detailed the overall level of funding available here for public services over the next three years (2022-2025).
Come along to this breakfast seminar to hear directly from the Finance Minister and Department of Finance, Public Spending Director, Joanne McBurney about preparations for Budget 2022-2025.
This event will also include a Q&A session and provide an opportunity to share the priorities which are important to your business or organisation.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
NI MINISTER OF STATE, CONOR BURNS MP
MEETS WITH CHAMBER MEMBERS IN NEWRY
Recently appointed NI Minister of State, The Rt. Hon. Conor Burns MP came to Newry recently to meet with a number of our members.
The roundtable lunch event was held in Enterprise House, WIN Business Park. We discussed productivity, growth, bridging skills gaps and increasing employment.
The message from businesses present was clear, there are many job opportunities in the Greater Newry Area.
Raising awareness of these roles, working closer with education providers and attracting people to work in the region were just some of the key points raised.
We would like to thank Shane Mulholland, Liam Quinn, John Doherty, Stephen Cromie, David Hanna and
Catriona Regan for all of their contributions.
DEADLINE TO USE SPEND LOCAL CARD EXTENDED BY 2 WEEKS
Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA has announced that the deadline to use the £100 Spend Local Card will be extended to 14th December 2021.
The Minister said that in order to maximise the benefit to our local businesses including retail, hospitality and service sectors, it is vitally important that everyone spends the full £100 on their Spend Local Card.
He said the extra two-week period will also allow card holders who have some balance left on their card, no matter how small, to spend it in local businesses.
The Minister said he had consistently encouraged all card holders to use their Spend Local Cards to support businesses in their local area that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
INTERTRADEIRELAND’S LATEST BUSINESS MONITOR REVEALS
ECONOMIC RECOVERY ON TRACK DESPITE CHALLENGES
InterTradeIreland’s latest Business Monitor reveals that the wider economy is within touching distance of recovering to pre-pandemic levels, despite significant issues and specific sectoral challenges.
The vast majority of firms are in stable or growth mode (81%), with cross-border traders in particular leading the way forward. Businesses that trade with the opposite jurisdiction are seeing a quicker return to profitability than those with no export sales, and they are experiencing faster sales growth.
Close to half of SMEs (46%), that trade across the border are reporting sales have increased this quarter compared to (35%) of their non-exporting peers.
The business monitor also reveals that (60%) of firms now source outside their locality generally compared to (42%) in 2019.
Over (80%) of businesses who report they’ve been impacted by Brexit, state they have adapted to some extent to the new trading relationship, in fact, within that figure over a quarter say they have adjusted in full.
Read the findings in full with in-depth analysis from Kerry Curran, Acting Director of Strategy and Policy at InterTradeIreland via the link below.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
NEWRY, MOURNE AND DOWN ENTERPRISE WEEK 2021
Newry, Mourne and Down Enterprise Week 2021 takes place all next week, running from Mon 8th Nov 2021 to Fri 12th Nov 2021.
A week-long collection of economic supports, activities and workshop events are taking place, aimed at residents and businesses in Newry Mourne and Down.
There are events covering a range of business topics:
► The Art of Feminine Leadership & Business
► Start To Grow… Again
► Post-Brexit Cross-Border Trade Webinar
► Innovation Funding & Support
► How To Advertise on Facebook & Instagram
► Tendering Opportunities
► Paid A-Z: Google Ads Deep Dive
► Are You An Entrepreneur?
► Funded Training For Businesses
► Labelling Changes For Pre-Packed For Direct Sale
► Social Enterprise Virtual Bus Tour of the District
► Apprenticeships
► Advice Clinics in Local Enterprise Agencies
The theme of NMD Enterprise Week 2021 is ‘Make it Your Business’. So, make it your business to get involved, to get connected, to succeed, to grow, to develop and register to attend the wide range of events. There is something for everyone.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS.