Today I had a useful engagement with the Assembly’s Economy Committee. Along with Belfast, Derry and Causeway Chambers we briefed them on the impact of COVID-19 on our respective areas.
Our key message was that the time is right to turn thoughts towards restarting the economy. We also stressed the importance for both short term support for our businesses and a long term stimulus and recovery plan for the economy.
Tonight’s update includes information on the NI Executive’s New Hardship Fund, information on support for businesses from SRC and details on free money advice for young people.
Thank you to the businesses who have already completed the survey we recently published. If you didn’t get a chance to complete the survey, I would still be interested in your views.
The link to the survey is in the update below.
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
NEW HARDSHIP FUND ANNOUNCED
The Department for the Economy has announced a New Hardship Fund.
The scheme will aim to assist businesses in NI with less than ten employees that require financial support due to the impact of COVID-19.
The funding will be available to businesses which have not qualified for either the £10k Small Business Grant or the £25k Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Grant.
Social enterprises and charities will be able to access the Hardship Fund if they meet the eligible criteria.
Around 8,000 businesses across NI will qualify for this new financial support scheme.
Details on the Hardship Fund including scheme eligibility criteria will be available in the week beginning Mon 11th May 2020.
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.
- £10,000 Small Business Grant Scheme
- £10,000 Small Business Grant for Rental Properties (Total NAV Below £1,590)
- £25,000 Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Grant Scheme
FULLY FUNDED ACCREDITED TRAINING WITH SRC
In order to support local businesses at this difficult time, Southern Regional College are offering 100% funding towards the cost of selected non-mandatory training through the Skills Focus Programme, supported by the Department for the Economy.
OVERVIEW:
• Open to companies with less than 250 staff;
• Private sector NI companies eligible only;
• Support is available for accredited training at level 2 or above;
• Southern Regional College can create new programmes to suit your needs;
• Offers a range of accredited courses; and
• Tailored delivery and training location to meet your company requirements.
For fully funded courses, please note that Terms and Conditions apply.
If you do not qualify for skills focus funding, contact Southern Regional College and they will endeavour to meet your needs.
Their Industry Training Booklet will be ready soon and SRC look forward to sharing that with you. Keep an eye on their social media channels for further updates.
Fully funded accredited training courses are available in:
- Administration
- Accountancy
- Automotive
- Clinical & Beauty
- Childcare
- Construction Trades
- Digital Construction
- Digital Skills
- Electrical/Gas
- Engineering
- Health & Safety
- Health & Social Care
- Hospitality
- Leadership & Management
- Science
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR A CALL BACK.
FREE MONEY ADVICE SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN NI
The Young Finance Centre is a brand new project commissioned by the Money and Pensions Service to support 16-24 year olds in Northern Ireland to manage their money.
As an employer, you can also refer your young employees to them for free, if you think they would benefit from simple, free advice about their money.
You have possibly had to furlough some of your staff members, put them on reduced hours or even make them redundant. Perhaps you are in a better situation where you are looking at hiring staff and want to signpost them to a service that can help with information about saving, managing money and pensions.
If aged between 16-24, tell them about this free online resource, where they can:
- Talk directly to their money adviser, via web-chat, about their money worries;
- Be referred to a local advice organisation who can give them free support; and
- Access a wealth of online tools to help them manage their money and mental health.
If you are interested in hearing more about this brand new service, where you can help support your staff by getting them the specialist advice they need.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
COVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY: HELP US, HELP YOU
Thank you to the many businesses who have already responded to our short survey.
For those members who haven’t yet responded, we would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to complete the survey and ensure that the voices of businesses from right across the Greater Newry Area continues to be heard.
Following on from the survey we published just before Easter, we are keen to get an update directly from our members about the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses and what areas in particular are of the greatest concern to you.
Together with Belfast, Derry and Causeway Chambers, we have put together a short survey to assess your views on a range of ongoing issues and get up to date feedback which will enable us to continue to lobby on your behalf.
The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and all answers will be confidential.
YOU CAN COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE.