Dear Member,
February has been another busy month for Newry Chamber and we were pleased to see so many members at our NI Digital Marketing Conference last week.
The feedback has been amazing and we would like to thank our principal sponsors, speakers, exhibitors and delegates for making it such a successful event.
In case you missed it, you can view our speaker’s presentation slides HERE.
We are now just 1 WEEK AWAY from our Post-Brexit Cross-Border Conference which will be held virtually on Wednesday 9th March 2022 from 9am – 1pm.
We have an incredible line-up of expert speakers secured for the conference and you can view the full programme HERE and book your free place HERE.
We are hosting our International Women’s Day Lunch on Friday 11th March 2022 in Killeavy Castle Estate. The event is sold out but you can watch it virtually.
DELI-LITES Ireland are the online partner and will be providing Artisan traybakes for anyone who want to come together to celebrate. The exclusive DELI-LITES Artisan Traybakes come in platters of 30 pieces, serve 10 people and cost £25.00.
Register to attend virtually HERE and order your DELI LITES traybakes HERE.
All proceeds from these sales goes to Southern Area Hospice and Life & Time.
In this update, I have also included information on:
- EVENT: Post-Brexit Cross-Border Conference 2022
- VIRTUAL EVENT: International Women’s Day Celebration Lunch
- PRESENTATION SLIDES: NI Digital Marketing Conference 2022
- Rates Support Package for 2022/23
- Guidance for NI Businesses Trading with Russia or Ukraine
- Engagement Event with Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA
- Meeting with Colin Neill, CEO of Hospitality Ulster
We would like to update members that our new phone number is 028 3044 2490.
Tony McKeown
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
ONE WEEK TO GO: POST-BREXIT CONFERENCE 2022
DATE: Wednesday 9th March 2022
TIME: 9am – 1pm
COST: FREE
ZOOM: VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Register now for Newry and Dundalk Chambers’ Annual Cross-Border Conference which will focus on sustaining and building cross-border cooperation and trade.
Themes discussed at the conference will include:
- Trading North/South: Challenges & Opportunities
- Economic Outlook: Post-Covid & Brexit
- Harnessing Growth: North/South & East/West
- Newry – Dundalk: A Prospectus For Growth
Over 250 people have booked their FREE place and we would encourage all members to book their place.
VIEW FULL PROGRAMME HERE
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
ATTEND EVENT VIRTUALLY: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
ORDER YOUR DELI LITES TRAYBAKES & WATCH THE EVENT
DATE: Friday 11th March 2022
TIME: 12 noon – 3pm
VENUE: Killeavy Castle Estate
Newry Chamber have announced the return of their International Women’s Day Celebration Lunch. This year’s event will be a hybrid format, with the in person event taking place on Friday 11th March 2022.
Due to restricted numbers, the in person event has already sold-out but schools, businesses and friends can take part virtually.
The lunch is kindly sponsored by:
- Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
- Jack Murphy Jewellers
Keynote addresses will be delivered by:
- Moyagh Murdock, CEO of Insurance Ireland
- Annette Kelly, AKA Little Penny Thoughts
DELI-LITES Ireland are the online partner and will be providing Artisan traybakes for anyone who want to come together to celebrate.
The exclusive DELI-LITES Artisan Traybakes come in platters of 30 pieces, serve 10 people and cost £25.00.
All profits from these sales goes to:
- Southern Area Hospice Services
- Life & Time
The deadline to order your traybakes is at 12 noon on Tuesday 8th March 2022 and platters can be collected from the Chamber Offices, Granite Exchange, 5 Kildare Street, Newry on Thursday 10th March 2022.
ATTEND VIRTUAL EVENT HERE
ORDER DELI LITES TRAYBAKES HERE
PRESENTATIONS: NI DIGITAL MARKETING CONFERENCE 2022
We were pleased to see so many of our members at our NI Digital Marketing Conference last week.
The feedback has been amazing and we would like to thank our principal sponsors, speakers, exhibitors and delegates for making it such a successful event.
The stacked programme covered:
- Marketing Programmes & Apprenticeships
- Do’s and Don’ts of Google Advertising
- How To Use TikTok To Grow Your Brand In 2022
- The Videos You Should Be Making In 2022
- How To Optimise Your Website In 2022
- The Opportunities of a E-Commerce Website
- How To Supercharge Your Digital Content
- How To Get The Best Results From LinkedIn
- Overview: Inbound Marketing
- Overview: Influencer Marketing
- Retailer Case Study: Kukoon Rugs
- Retailer Case Study: Jack Murphy Jewellers
In case you missed the event, you can now view our speaker’s presentation slides below.
VIEW PRESENTATION SLIDES HERE
RATES SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR 2022/23
The Department of Finance has announced a number of financial support measures to help Northern Ireland businesses with rates in 2022-23
RATES HOLIDAY
The regional rate for non-domestic rates has been frozen for another year. In addition to this, all businesses will receive a one-month rates holiday with the exception of utilities and larger food stores.
Retail, hospitality, tourism, leisure, newspapers, childcare and airports will receive a three months rates holiday, meaning businesses in these sectors will not have to pay any rates until July 2022.
SMALL BUSINESS RATE RELIEF
The Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) scheme has been extended for another year to provide those businesses that qualify a reduction of between 20% and 50% on their rates in 2022/23. Eligibility for SBRR is based on the Net Annual Value (NAV) of a business property. SBRR is automatically applied to businesses.
READ MORE HERE
GUIDANCE: TRADING WITH RUSSIA OR UKRAINE
NI businesses trading with Ukraine or Russia can get support by using the Export Support Service (ESS).
Businesses can submit an enquiry to the Department for International Trade (DIT) Digital Enquiry Service or call the helpline on 0300 303 8955.
ESS is the first point of contact for business and trade enquiries relating to Ukraine or Russia and continues to provide support to businesses exporting to Europe.
TheExport Support Service is a government helpline and online service where all UK businesses can get answers to questions about exporting to Europe.
It gives access to cross-government information and support in one place. All UK businesses can use this free service, no matter the size of your business or which part of the UK you are based.
You can access the Export Support Service HERE.
READ MORE HERE
EVENT WITH FINANCE MINISTER, CONOR MURPHY MLA
We were delighted to have the opportunity to discuss our short and long-term vision for the Greater Newry Area with Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA on Wednesday 23rd February 2022.
President, Julie Gibbons & CEO, Tony McKeown also presented our ‘2022 & Beyond – Our Future Vision’ document to Minister Murphy which outlined our priorities in the areas of skills, infrastructure and tourism.
The Department of Finance also provided an update on the mechanisms in place which will allow departments to continue spending to maintain public services in absence of the NI Executive.
We discussed the key priorities for our members on increased costs, labour shortages and the uncertainty on trading arrangements. We stressed the importance of political stability to the business community.
It was great to also have a walk around the City with the Minister alongside some of our members to see the real potential for development and visit some of the proposed sites earmarked for investment as part of the Newry City Centre Regeneration Project.
READ MORE HERE
MEETING WITH COLIN NEILL, CEO OF HOSPITALITY ULSTER
We were delighted to welcome Colin Neill, CEO of Hospitality Ulster to Newry. Good discussion on the current and future issues for our hospitality members.
Colin has done fantastic work representing the industry over the last two years and our guests in attendance at the meeting yesterday acknowledged that.
Thanks to Pat from Courtney’s Steakhouse for hosting.