It was good to see the shutters going up last Friday for our retail businesses and the return of shoppers to our city centre. The initial uplift will be good for business but it will be a challenge to make up for the losses incurred since Christmas.
The minister’s announcement last week of the shopping card for everyone 18 and over, will be a great boost when it arrives later in the summer. To ensure that the benefit goes to those businesses impacted most during lockdown, it is important that it is supported by a strong campaign encouraging the shop local message.
There was some goods news for the local economy today with the publication of a survey that Newry was the top local economy in NI and is likely to recover faster from COVID-19 than other areas. All surveys have to be treated with a degree of caution but it does illustrate the strength of the economy in the Greater Newry Area as we headed into COVID-19 and gives some confidence for the future.
You can read more on the findings from this survey HERE.
Finally, 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
COVID HEROES IN THE WORKPLACE:
EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION CAMPAIGN
This high-profile campaign will run across all our social media channels. It is a real opportunity to recognise all the employees across the Greater Newry Area who have gone the extra mile to keep their businesses going throughout the last year.
Many businesses have been forced to close due to the restrictions. Despite this, many have displayed incredible determination, spirit and innovation to keep their businesses afloat through immensely difficult times. Those that remained open have worked around the clock to keep food on our tables and deliver the essential services we need.
Reflecting on the past year, we will recognise the inspirational leaders, employees who have gone the extra mile, workers or teams who have helped in the community or the innovative employee who developed a new idea to keep the business going.
Our COVID Heroes in the Workplace Employee Appreciation Campaign is an opportunity to say a big thank you for their commitment and dedication, through what has been a difficult period for them and their families.
We are calling upon all businesses to show their appreciation by nominating employees and teams for their efforts during the most challenging of times.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE YOUR COVID HEROES.
WEBINAR: POWERING THE WAY TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Join us for our webinar with our member, Power NI on ‘Powering The Way to a Sustainable Future’.
DATE: Friday 21st May 2021
TIME: 1pm – 2pm
Neil McConkey, Key Account Manager at Power NI, will explain how the organisation is transforming how customers use and generate energy in a way that has a positive and sustainable impact on the environment.
Attendees will find out simple ways in how they can get started on their green journey and find more sustainable ways of doing business with the help and support of Power NI’s products and services.
OUTLINE:
► The transformation of the energy market.
► How Power NI can help you on your green journey.
► Customer case studies.
► Getting staff onboard.
► Product development and energy saving technology.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
LARGE NAV £50,000 BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME EXTENDED
NI Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA is encouraging all businesses eligible for the Large NAV £50,000 Business Grant Scheme to apply for funding and has extended the deadline until Friday 14th May 2021.
The scheme provides financial support to businesses that occupied commercial premises with an NAV (Net Annual Value) over £51,000 at 1st March 2021 that were awarded the 12-month rates holiday for the 2020-21 period, subject to some exclusions.
Businesses which were eligible for the 12-month rates holiday include retail, hospitality, tourism, leisure, manufacturing, childcare and newspaper producers.
The scheme is designed to support the business which is the main occupier of a property, not the landlord or managing agent or any businesses/self-employed parties who rent part of the property from the main occupying business.
Occupying businesses who consider themselves eligible for this support scheme can apply even if they’re not the named ratepayer on business rate bill for the property.
Only one grant will be paid to businesses which occupy multiple premises.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
PROCESS & ORGANISATIONAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT
The Process & Organisational Improvement Grant has been developed by Invest NI to provide support to businesses to investigate and implement a range of potential process and operational improvements to help address the impact of COVID-19 on the business.
The scheme is open to any eligible business operating in one of the following sectors:
► Manufacturing
► Construction
► Information & Communication
► Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities
The scheme is now open via a competitive call for applications. Please note this is a two-part application process and both the pre-application and application form must be submitted by the deadline of 12 noon on Friday 21st May 2021.
Further details on the pre-application and application process are available to view HERE.
Invest NI will not be able to accept late applications so you are encouraged to submit as early as possible.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
NEWRY CITY CENTRE REGENERATION:
CONSULTATION WORKSHOP FOR BUSINESSES
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is currently undertaking a public consultation on proposals, which make up Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme.
Otium Leisure Consultancy has been appointed by the Council to facilitate the consultation process.
As businesses in the city itself and in the wider district are key stakeholders in such a programme, you are invited to attend a workshop specifically for businesses.
DATE: Wednesday 19th May 2021
TIME: 3pm
The webinar will take place via Zoom and you can now register for it below.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
WEBINAR: GENERATION INNOVATION WORK EXPERIENCE
Join Social Enterprise NI for a 30 minute virtual session and hear from Catalyst about their unique and exciting Generation Innovation Work Experience Programme.
This year, the programme is being held virtually over June reaching 600 pupils. This is a unique work experience programme that offers 17/18-year-olds the chance to work on real life company problems through the process of design thinking.
Catalyst are very keen to have Social Enterprise’s involved in the programme, where they would only require you to give a maximum of 5 hours’ time over the space of one week to meet virtually with the young people, answer questions and finally hear their pitches at the end of the week.
Everything is handled by Catalyst and there is no cost involved. This is an incredible opportunity to have an insight from young people into problems you might need solutions for in your business.
Their themes this year include:
Smart Cities, Sustainability and Health & Wellbeing.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.