Another busy month of engagement across the region has been dominated in the last week by the surprise announcement of a Westminster Election on July 4th.
The upcoming election offers a welcome chance for us to press home its Core Strategic Priorities at every lobbying opportunity in the coming weeks to ensure that the need for further funding from Westminster to support NI’s economic growth plans through investment in infrastructure and skills and changes to immigration policy is forthcoming from the new UK Government.
It was therefore important for Newry Chamber to support colleagues in NI Chamber this week by attending the publication launch of their ‘Mission: Business Growth’ business-led manifesto in Belfast alongside other business and political leaders.
The manifesto embodies many of the strategic priorities and ambitions that mirror those of Newry Chamber and welcome the recommendations within the document of a number of reforms which it says will help develop a better shared understating of both challenges and strengths within the NI Economy and assist the Greater Newry Area to maximise future opportunities post the Command Paper.
It has been produced ahead of the UK General Election in July and prioritises policy levers in Westminster which will best support economic growth in Northern Ireland and if you are interested in viewing the manifesto in full, you can do so HERE.
In this month’s newsletter, we have also included information on:
- Newry Chamber Meets with the New Chair of Invest NI
- Newry Chamber Annual Golf Classic at Cloverhill Golf Club
- Newry Chamber Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
- Applications Open: Back in Business Rate Support Scheme
- Invest NI Newry Workshop: Training Needs to Training Plan
- Members’ Offer: 2024 Irish Open at Royal County Down
Michael Savage
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
NEWRY CHAMBER MEETS WITH THE NEW CHAIR OF INVEST NI
Our Vice President, Gary Digney and Chief Executive, Michael Savage were pleased to welcome John Healy, the New Chair of Invest NI to the Chamber Offices on Tuesday 28th May.
During their meeting, Mr. Healy was briefed on the need to address the infrastructure deficit and flood alleviation needs of the city to assist in attracting inward investment into the city and for Invest NI to take a more active and collaborative role in the economic development of Newry and the wider region as a whole.
Mr. Healy outlined the plans for change within Invest NI and committed to working with the Chamber and other key stakeholders in the region to support the delivery of economic ambitions of the Greater Newry Area.
Gary Digney, Vice President of Newry Chamber said:
“We had a very productive meeting with the New Chair of Invest NI today and we have agreed to collaborate in the organisation of a Chamber event which will take place in Newry City in the coming months.”
“It will be a chance for our 300+ members to reconnect with Invest NI for a discussion on how best the organisation can contribute to the regional balance of our economy which meets the economic ambitions of our city and the Greater Newry Area.”
“It was a positive meeting this morning and we look forward to further engagement in the coming months.”
READ MORE HERE
NEWRY CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC AT CLOVERHILL GOLF CLUB
We were delighted to hold our Annual Golf Classic on Friday 17th May at a sun-drenched Cloverhill Golf Club, kindly sponsored by Digney Grant Insurance.
The event was a success in more ways than one with the Chamber team of Michael Savage, Peter Dunne, John Dunne and Jerome Mullen taking the top spot.
The Fourball Scramble Stroke Event saw some very impressive scoring on the immaculate Cloverhill Course with the Chamber team carding an impressive net 49.9.
Best Property Services went one better than their third place finish last year and came in second with 53.6 net closely followed by the Gullion Ltd team who carded a net 53.7 to claim third with MyLife Bathrooms returning 53.8 net to take fourth.
The Charity Hole Prize in support of Chamber President Edwina Flynn’s Chosen Charity, ‘Caring Coins’ was won by the Wood Innovations team.
We would like to say a big thanks to our Main Sponsor, Digney Grant, all the local businesses who sponsored a hole and provided a great range of prizes for the event and S&W Wholesale for sponsoring the goody bags for their generous support.
READ MORE HERE
NEWRY CHAMBER EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
DATE: Tuesday 11th June 2024
TIME: 1pm
VENUE: Enterprise House, WIN Business Park
We invite you to our EGM on Tuesday 11th June at 1pm in Enterprise House, WIN Business Park, Newry.
The purpose of the EGM is to discuss proposals to increase the number of members of the Newry Chamber Board of Directors from 12 to 15 and amend the Chamber’s Articles of Association Accordingly.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST:
The Chamber is seeking expressions of interest from our members who wish to be considered to be appointed as a member of the Chamber Board.
Anyone interested in being considered to be appointed to the Board should send their expression of interest in writing to the Chamber CEO, Michael Savage via email to michael@newrychamber.com by no later than 5pm on Wednesday 5th June 2024.
If you would like further information on what is involved in being a Board Member of Newry Chamber, please contact the Chamber CEO, Michael Savage.
READ MORE HERE
REGISTER TO ATTEND EGM HERE
NOW OPEN: BACK IN BUSINESS RATE SUPPORT SCHEME
The NI Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald has relaunched a Rate Support Scheme aimed at attracting businesses into our Town Centres and onto the High Street.
The Back in Business scheme offers businesses a 50% rates discount for up to 2 years if they move into vacant premises that have been unoccupied for 12 months or more and that were previously used for retail purposes.
“Retail Purposes” means the retail provision of goods or services to members of the public who visit the property.
Through the scheme, businesses will have certainty over their rates bill for two years should they continue to meet the criteria.
The 50% rates discount is granted for up to 24 months from the day which the retail unit becomes occupied and the owner and occupier of the applicant business must apply by completing an online form.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:
Monday 31st March 2025
READ MORE HERE
APPLY TO THE SCHEME HERE
INVEST NI WORKSHOP: TRAINING NEEDS TO TRAINING PLAN
DATE: Wednesday 19th June 2024
TIME: 12 noon – 4pm
VENUE: Invest NI, Southern Regional Office, Newry
COST: FREE
At this Training Needs to Training Plan Workshop, you will gain an insight into the tools and techniques used by learning and development professionals to develop, cost and budget training plans.
This will enable you to plan, scope and manage training and development plans for your organisation while maximising return on investment.
Some of the topics that will be discussed include:
- Writing Clear Training Objectives
- Engaging External Training Providers
- Costing Out Training Interventions
- Training Plan Management
Be advised, it is not necessary to have attended the Training Needs Analysis Workshop. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE
BALLROOM OFFER: 10% OFF FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS
2024 AMGEN IRISH OPEN AT ROYAL COUNTY DOWN
The 2024 Amgen Irish Open is returning to our district once again, with the prestigious tournament taking place in September at Royal County Down, Newcastle.
The DP World Tour are exclusively offering members of Newry Chamber 10% OFF the Ballroom Package for the event which takes place from 11th – 15th September.
The Ballroom Package is available across the week, offering designated access to and from the golf course where you can return throughout the day to the truly iconic Slieve Donard Resort for delicious food offerings and complimentary drinks.
The Ballroom is your best chance available to elevate your event experience with Green on 18 now completely sold out as well as Ticket+ experiences also sold out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
TO AVAIL OF THIS LIMITED OFFER, PLEASE EMAIL:
Sam Imlay via simlay@sales.europeantourgroup.com and quote ‘NEWRY10!’ to avail of the offer.
VIEW PACKAGE DETAILS HERE