I hope you had a good summer and managed to get a break. Newry Chamber are very aware of the challenging business environment for many sectors including the inflationary pressures that increase costs and reduce consumers’ disposable income, continued staff shortages, uncertainties around Brexit/Protocol.
These have combined to create a perfect storm. We have met with three political parties over recent weeks to outline our member’s concerns. We have also joined with business groups and Chambers of Commerce to issue an action plan for Westminster and Stormont to consider. You can read about this action plan below.
On a more positive note, we had a great response to our Employee & Team Awards. We had over 150 entries and the judges were very impressed with the quality and success being achieved by organisations across the region.
The shortlist has now been published and all the winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Night on Thursday 8th September at the Canal Court Hotel & Spa.
Ticket sales close on Friday 25th August. You can book your tickets HERE.
If you would like to discuss any issue, please get in touch with the Chamber team.
Tony McKeown
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
LEADING TRADE GROUPS UNITE TO OUTLINE
ACTION PLAN ON COST OF DOING BUSINESS CRISIS
Newry Chamber has united with 14 trade groups across Northern Ireland to jointly launch an action plan to tackle the ‘Cost of Doing Business Crisis’.
The action plan published today is aimed at tackling the looming cost of doing business crisis that is affecting thousands in the region. As a knock-on effect from the cost-of-living emergency, businesses are seeing a fall in trade and customer levels.
Coupled with raising inflation, a workforce crisis across the sectors and remaining Covid pressures, many within hospitality and retail are struggling to remain viable with businesses shutting up shop every day.
It is vital that government help protect the jobs and local businesses that make up the economic infrastructure of Northern Ireland’s economy and recognise the important role businesses play in supporting working families during the crisis and its vital role in the recovery process.
READ MORE HERE VIEW ACTION PLAN HERE
BOOK TICKETS: EMPLOYEE & TEAM AWARDS 2022
Our independent judging panels have had the tough task of assessing over 150 entries this year and agreeing on this shortlist. We would like to commend each person, business and organisation who applied.
The Employee & Team Awards 2022 will celebrate and recognise our greatest assets – our people.
Good luck to all the shortlisted finalists as the big night approaches next month. We look forward to welcoming you to Gala Awards Night on Thursday 8th September in the Canal Court Hotel & Spa.
TICKET SALES CLOSE: Friday 25th August
VIEW SHORTLIST HERE BOOK TICKETS HERE
TALK BETTER BUSINESS PODCAST (SERIES 1, EPISODE 4)
CLARE VALLELY, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KUKOON RUGS
Listen to the latest episode of our Talk Better Business Podcast with Clare Vallely, MD of Kukoon Rugs.
In this episode, our host, Deborah Loughran chats to Clare who runs the successful family business based in Newry City with her brother, Paul Vallely.
They more than doubled their product range during the pandemic and increased the workforce from 30 people at the start of 2020 to almost 90 employees today, with two bespoke showrooms in Newry and Belfast and a recently opened distribution centre in Liverpool.
Hear about how Clare and her brother Paul have grown the company and how their culture has evolved over the years where the focus is on the business process and numerous LEAN principles in particular.
Thanks to podcast sponsor, Southern Regional College. We record each episode in their campus in Banbridge.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
ELECTRIC VEHICLE ARRIVE & DRIVE EVENT
AT SHELBOURNE MOTORS, NEWRY
DATE: Wednesday 14th September 2022
TIME: 8:30am – 10am
VENUE: Shelbourne Motors, Newry
COST: FREE
Hosted by Gold Corporate Patron, Shelbourne Motors, you will have the opportunity to test drive the latest electric vehicles and ask questions about EV technology.
Meet with other Chamber members and network.
There are 15 mins slots available, if you are interested in test driving Shelbourne Motors’ Electric Vehicle range,
early booking is essential. Drivers licence required.
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
NMD BUSINESS ‘MEET THE BUYER’ EVENT 2022
DATE: Thursday 22nd September 2022
TIME: 9:30am
VENUE: Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle
COST: FREE
As part of the NMD Tender for Growth programme, a FREE ‘Meet The Buyer’ engagement event, taking place on Thursday 22nd September at Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle.
SME/Micro Enterprise Owner/Managers based in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area will have the chance to hear from a range of major local buyers on their upcoming priorities in terms of procurement.
Don’t miss out on the chance to meet directly with some of the top buyers within the region and engage with those involved in significant procurement contracts.
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
PIPS: FREE BUSINESS SECTOR TRAINING
PIPS Hope and Support have a range of training and workshops available to help reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm, to support and maintain the mental health and emotional wellbeing of employees and management of the local business community.
For more information or to book training, please contact PIPS Hope and Support Training Department via:
PHONE: 028 3026 6195
EMAIL: training@pipshopeandsupport.org
VIEW RANGE OF TRAINING & WORKSHOPS HERE
BE INSPIRED TO BE: LADIES CHARITY AFTERNOON TEA
DATE: Friday 11th November 2022
TIME: 12pm – 3pm
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel & Spa, Newry
COST: £25.00 per person
(Corporate Table of 8, 10 & 12 Available)
MC: Denise Watson
BEST DRESSED JUDGE: Tracey Hall
GUEST SPEAKER: Baroness Margaret Ritchie
All proceeds in aid of Friends of the Cancer Centre.
BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE