This afternoon, the NI Executive announced the first tentative steps to opening the economy, with the reopening of Garden Centres as well as Recycling Centres from Monday 18th May 2020.
Although very small steps, hopefully this is just the start and further announcements will be made next week which will allow us to restart our local economy.
Since the beginning of this crisis, the Chamber has produced over 30 updates for our members. In this update, I have published some stats on the level of engagement with Newry Chamber.
I thank you for your engagement. With your active support as members, we can continue to provide this service and represent your interests.
With the prospect of reopening our local economy, the Chamber has an important role in rebuilding confidence in our area. There have been many examples of businesses adapting to the COVID-19 crisis and there is an opportunity to celebrate some of these successes.
Newry Chamber will work with you in the weeks ahead to promote these successes.
I hope you find these updates of value. If you have any queries which you can’t get answered, let us know. If I can, I will cover them in our next update.
Join over 10,000 people who follow us on Social Media:
Follow us on Facebook HERE.
Follow us on LinkedIn HERE.
Follow us on Twitter HERE.
Follow us on Instagram HERE.
You can contact me at:
colm@newrychamber.com
Stay safe.
Colm Shannon,
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
KEEPING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY INFORMED
At Newry Chamber, we see our role as providing support to local businesses and representing your interests. At a time when it is extremely challenging for everyone in the local business community, it is important that your voice is heard.
The Chamber has worked to deliver on that commitment.
At the outset of this crisis, we took the decision to be a key source of information for members. In the virtual world in which we all now exist, this can be challenging.
These updates and our social media channels have been an important way for us to keep you informed and for you to engage with the Chamber.
Our social media stats for the last period demonstrate the high level of engagement from the local business community.
You can view our social media stats for the last period HERE.
Your continued support helps us work on your behalf.
PROMOTING OUR REGION
Businesses from right across the Greater Newry Area have a reputation and are renowned for their resilience, adaptability and an entrepreneurial can do attitude.
This crisis has highlighted the innovation and creativity of our business community. We have many examples of businesses that have diversified into new product areas to sustain their business.
Newry Chamber would like to share these success stories, to help rebuild confidence in our region and to help other businesses learn from your success.
It is a great opportunity to promote your company across our social media channels, which has a total following of over 11,000 people across our platforms.
If you have successfully diversified or adapted you business, I would love to hear from you an promote it across our social media channels.
GET IN TOUCH WITH NEWRY CHAMBER:
Send us your stories of how your business has diversified during COVID-19 via:
Email: colm@newrychamber.com
NEW NMD BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMMES
OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
With local businesses facing uncertain times, the NMD Business Growth Programme has designed two new tailored support programmes to help local owners/managers to continue to operate and grow during this challenging times.
- Business Reboot Programme
- Financial Management For Non-Accountants Programme
These programmes will provide support and information to SMEs located across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area and are:
- 100% FREE to all participants, funded by ERDF, Invest NI and NMDDC;
- These programmes will take place remotely, using Zoom – the delivery team at Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd will help businesses download this to ‘attend’ the workshops and
- They are aimed at owners, managers and other staff in businesses within the NMDDC region that employ less than 50 people.
REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAMMES:
Please contact Sandy at Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd via:
Email: sandy@fullcircle.eu.com
Phone: 028 9069 1027
SRC InnovateUS PROGRAMME
The InnovateUS Programme provides up to 60 hours worth of mentoring for an innovation activity lending to the development of a new product, process or service particularly in response to COVID-19.
If you have less than 50 employees and have an innovative project idea, the SRC can help you.
TO REGISTER FOR A CALL BACK CLICK HERE.
DEADLINE APPROACHING ON GRANT SCHEMES
Businesses should be mindful that Wednesday 20th May 2020 is the DEADLINE for registering for the £10,000 and £25,000 grant schemes.
Eligible businesses that want to register for one of the following grant schemes should note that the deadline for registration is Wednesday 20th May 2020.