Newry Chamber president Cathal Austin said that he is hopeful that the visit of Finance Minister Sammy Wilson and Minister-in-waiting Simon Hamilton will help attract future government support for the city. Minister Wilson visited Newry earlier this month on the invite of the Chamber to “see the impact of recession” on the city centre and was given a short tour of the city centre by Mr Austin and Mayor Charlie Casey. Mr Austin said the Minister was made aware of the urgent need for more public sector funding: “We are delighted that the Minister took up our invitation to go on a walking tour of Newry so quickly after we asked him at a recent working lunch in the city. The aim of the visit was to show the Minister the impact the recession was having on the city centre with many vacant units and to make him aware of the development potential within the city centre boundary – mitigating the need for out of town retail. The visit was also used to discuss the impact of the small business rates relief scheme, the potential for corporation tax, the future or Daisy Hill Hospital and the need for additional government support in the city. We were also delighted to meet Minister in waiting Simon Hamilton MLA to our city to make him aware of the issues we face economically and the need for more public sector funding in and around Newry city.
Newry Democrat
17th April 2012
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