‘We help our members grow through a variety of networking opportunities.’

COVID-19 UPDATE: Tuesday 21st April 2020 (Issue No.21)

The government now has in place a lot of economic support measures for business, but many companies are starting to think about the HR issues when their businesses reopen again.

On Wed 22nd April 2020 at 6:30pm, President, Emma Mullen-Marmion will host a webinar session on the HR Challenge of COVID-19. If your are interested in joining us, you can find details below on how to register for this FREE webinar.

One outcome of the virus is that we have all become more adapt at working online. The NMD Business Growth Programme has developed a series of FREE workshops to help businesses in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area.

There is further information below on how to register for these workshops.

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.

You can contact me at:
colm@newrychamber.com

Stay safe.

Colm Shannon,
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade

FREE WORKSHOPS – NMD BUSINESS GROWTH PROGRAMME

As the uncertainty of the Coronavirus situation continues to evolve at pace, the NMD Business Growth Programme has developed a series of FREE online programmes to help your businesses through the COVID-19 period with a host of business support advice across the following areas:

  • COVID-19 Is Here – What Now For Small Businesses?
  • Managing Self in a Rapidly Changing World.
  • Preparing a 10-Day Cashflow Projection.
  • Social Media Fundamentals.
  • Managing Stress.
  • Gearing Up To Sell a Service on YouTube.
  • Getting Your Business Online For Beginners.
  • SEO & Google Analytics – Optimising Online Performance.

This series of remote skills development workshops has been announced to give businesses the support and information they need.

The series will comprise of 8 workshops to be delivered remotely via Zoom, which will be open to all businesses in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area, including past and present participants of the NMD Business Growth Programme.

The first workshop entitled, COVID-19 Is Here – So What Now For Small Businesses will take place on Wednesday 29th April 2020 from 4pm – 6pm.

VIEW THE FULL LIST OF WORKSHOPS & REGISTER HERE.

CORONAVIRUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR YOUR BUSINESS

There is a lot of support available at the moment.

But what schemes apply to your business?

You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants. This support finder will help you see what support is available for you and your business.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR YOUR BUSINESS HERE.

COMPANIES HOUSE SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES

Support is in place to help businesses avoid being struck off the Companies House Register as they deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Businesses will be given additional support to help meet their legal responsibilities.

Companies House will temporarily pause the strike-off process to prevent companies being dissolved. This will give businesses affected by COVID-19 the time they need to update their records and help them avoid being struck off the register.

In addition, companies issued with a late filing penalty due to COVID-19 will have appeals treated sympathetically.

This support builds on measures implemented by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which give businesses the ability to apply for a:

Three-Month Extension To File Accounts with Companies House.

As part of the measures, while companies will still have to apply for the three-month extension to be granted, those citing issues around COVID-19 will be automatically and immediately granted an extension.

The government will also introduce legislation to ensure those companies required by law to hold AGMs will be able to do so safely, consistent with the restrictions on movement and gatherings introduced to address the spread of coronavirus.

Companies will temporarily be extended greater flexibilities, including holding AGMs online or postponing the meetings.

YOU CAN FIND FURTHER INFORMATION HERE.