It has been a busy start to the year with a couple of events already under our belt including the well-attended launch of our packed Events Programme for 2024 on Friday 26th January in the Canal Court Hotel & Spa.
This week has seen real progress on the restoration of the Stormont Executive and hopefully in the coming days, we will have Devolved Government here again in Northern Ireland, something which business and society need urgently.
The Command Paper from the UK Government which has underpinned the potential reformation of the Executive has just been released today.
It is an 80-page document and the Chamber will be providing our members with a summary of the paper after we have had the opportunity to digest its contents.
In this month’s newsletter, we have included information on:
- Members’ Networking Breakfast & Events Programme Launch
- Revenue Raising Measures & Business Rates Event
- FREE Use of the Newry Chamber Boardroom for Members
- Newry & Dundalk Chambers’ Cross-Border Conference
- Southern Regional College BIG Apprenticeship Event
- Investment Fund for NI – Newry Roadshow Event
Michael Savage
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
NETWORKING BREAKFAST & EVENTS PROGRAMME LAUNCH
Fantastic turnout for our Members’ Networking Breakfast as we launched our Programme of Events for 2024 in the Canal Court Hotel & Spa last Friday.
The strength of our Chamber lies in our diverse, active and engaged membership of 300+ organisations who are so supportive of the work that we do as a Chamber and of one another so thanks to everyone who attended.
It was our second event already this year and we have over 30 events scheduled to take place throughout 2024 so we encourage you to look at the events programme via the link below and attend as many as you can.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber said:
“As a Chamber, we endeavour to provide our members with as many regular, high-quality and free events and opportunities to network as possible and I’m delighted to announce details of our packed events programme for the year ahead.”
Our President, Edwina Flynn and CEO, Michael Savage also outlined our three strategic priorities for 2024.
1) Organising Events & Networking Opportunities
2) Tackling the Infrastructure Deficit in Greater Newry
3) Addressing the Recruitment Crisis & Developing Skills
VIEW EVENTS PROGRAMME HERE
REVENUE RAISING MEASURES & BUSINESS RATES EVENT
The Chamber & Newry BID held a constructive meeting between local businesses and LPS NI on the current consultation on proposed revenue raising measures and the future of business rates on Tuesday 16th January in Custom House, Newry.
Attendees at the event heard from Andrew McAvoy, Director of Rating Policy at Land & Property Services NI who delivered a presentation on the range of measures being consulted on which could see the removal of industrial derating as one of several revenue raising measures to help plug the gap in the NI budget.
Michael Savage, CEO of Newry Chamber said:
“Newry Chamber has a diverse membership which covers businesses who benefit from the industrial derating which is threatened by these proposals and businesses which are in the retail, hospitality and professional services sector who feel they are carrying a disproportionate share of the rates burden.”
“This event offered the opportunity for our members and the wider business community to hear more about the consultation and how they can make submissions ahead of the deadline of Tuesday 13th February 2024. I would encourage all our members to make their voice heard and make a submission to the consultation.”
MAKE A SUBMISSION TO CONSULTATION HERE
FREE USE OF THE CHAMBER BOARDROOM FOR MEMBERS
We would like to make Chamber members aware of an additional benefit to your membership this year which is the FREE use of the boardroom at the Chamber Offices.
Some of our members have already been utilising this facility at the Chamber Offices in Granite House located on St. Mary’s Street, right in the heart of Newry City.
The boardroom can accommodate up to 14 people and the space is perfect for team away days, meeting clients, the provision of training and conducting interviews.
It is also fitted out with a widescreen TV to facilitate the delivery of presentations, a whiteboard for brainstorming and tea/coffee is provided. This is a space for members to utilise so we encourage you to do exactly that.
You can enquire about availability and get booked in to use the boardroom by contacting the Chamber team.
BOOK THE CHAMBER BOARDROOM:
admin@newrychamber.com
NEWRY & DUNDALK CHAMBERS’ ANNUAL
CROSS-BORDER TRADE & ECONOMIC CONFERENCE
DATE: Wednesday 6th March 2024
TIME: 8:45am – 1:30pm
VENUE: Carrickdale Hotel & Spa
COST: FREE
150+ businesspeople from North & South have already booked their place for Newry & Dundalk Chambers’ Annual Cross-Border Conference which will focus on the theme of ‘Building a Sustainable All-Island Economy’.
Covering themes of Skills & People, Business Supports, Sustainability, Productivity and the All-Island Economic Outlook, key government representatives, policy officials and business advisors will set out the shape of future cross-border cooperation and their priorities for the area.
The major conference is supported by InterTradeIreland, Louth County Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Louth LEO and Dundalk Chamber Skillnet.
The full conference programme and list of speakers will be published in the coming days but make sure you secure your FREE place today by registering below.
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
SOUTHERN REGIONAL COLLEGE BIG APPRENTICESHIP EVENT
DATE: Tuesday 6th February 2024
TIME: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
VENUE: SRC’s Newry West Campus
COST: FREE
ATTENDEES:
If someone you know are studying GCSEs, A Levels, Level 3 or thinking of changing career, then this event is perfect for you so come along to GET FUTURE READY!
Register now for your chance to meet SRC’s faculty staff and hear more about their Higher Level Apprenticeships and Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeships on offer.
You will also have the opportunity to meet a range of exhibitors including various local employers who are recruiting for September 2024 and speak with current apprentices, careers advisors and support organisations.
EXHIBITORS:
If you are a local employer who wishes to register their interest in exhibiting at this event, please register via the link below but please note, limited spaces are available.
ATTENDEES – REGISTER HERE
EXHIBITORS – REGISTER HERE
INVESTMENT FUND FOR NI – NEWRY ROADSHOW EVENT
DATE: Tuesday 6th February 2024
TIME: 9:30am – 12 noon
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel & Spa
COST: FREE
The British Business Bank is holding a series of events, including one in Newry to celebrate the launch of the new £70m Investment Fund for Northern Ireland.
The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland, launched on 16th November 2023, offers a range of commercial finance options with debt finance from £25,000 to £2m and equity investment up to £5m.
The roadshow events are aimed at smaller businesses, business advisors, accountants, bankers, lawyers, the wider small business support ecosystem and public sector representatives interested in advancing NI’s small business population.
They will help you to understand the different funding options available through the fund and is an opportunity for you to meet the appointed fund managers including, Whiterock Finance and Clarendon Fund Managers and British Business Bank’s Nations & Regions Investment Funds Team.
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE