Over 250 local business representatives attended this year’s Newry Chamber President’s Banquet on Friday 25th October in the Canal Court Hotel, kindly sponsored by the hotel and Ulster Bank, who are long-term sponsors of the event which is one of the highlights of the business year in the city.
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade President, Edwina Flynn has urged the NI Executive to collaborate with the Greater Newry Business Community to provide the infrastructure and skills supports our region needs for economic growth.
Speaking in front of a packed room at the event on Friday, which was attended by Keynote Speakers, First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA and deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, Edwina urged the Ministers and the Executive to provide the region with the ‘hand-up’ it needed to fulfil its huge economic potential.
Edwina referenced last autumn’s devastating floods in Newry City and across the wider District, praising the resilience of the local business community and urged Government to match that resilience with fiscal supports.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade said:
“We need an urgent review of our infrastructure here. We’ve seen the devastation in towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, caused by infrastructure failures. Its impact on morale, optimism and hope, never mind the fiscal and economic impact to business and city centre regeneration.”
“Like other locations across Northern Ireland, skills and education continues to stunt growth of businesses here. We continue to experience a brain drain of skills and talent where our citizens, our children continue look away from the opportunities at home.”
“We are open to collaboration and a hand up from our wider national and global community, our local government. A hand up in the need to put our area’s infrastructure needs at the heart of financial decision making in Government.”
“A hand up in providing a platform upon which the huge economic growth potential of the Greater Newry Area on the back of the Windsor Framework opportunities can be delivered. A hand up in the delivery of our element of the Belfast Region City Deal, as well as a hand up to be a regional choice for business and people they employ.”
“We equally need a hand up in balancing and levelling the social and cultural leg ups in education and ensure we have a strategy for developing our intellectual infrastructure and property for our young people today for businesses of tomorrow.”
Edwina concluded: “I am optimistic from the meaningful engagement Newry Chamber has already had face-to-face with numerous Executive Ministers throughout the course of the year and we are greatly encouraged by your presence with us here today. We have much to accomplish, but even more to gain and I am genuinely excited about the future of Newry City and the wider region.”
The Banquet also marked the third year of the Chamber President’s Award. A recognition bestowed upon visionary leaders from the business community for their exceptional vision, leadership and commitment to the economic development of the Greater Newry Area.
The 2024 recipients of the prestigious President’s Award were John and Paddy McParland, Owners of the Canal Court Hotel and Carrickdale Hotel.
These individuals have put their money where their mouth is and invested in our city and wider region when perhaps others felt it wasn’t worth investing in, employing hundreds even thousands of people as our past recipients posthumously, the late great Brian Conlon, Founder of First Derivatives and Lord Ballyedmond, Founder of Norbrook Laboratories have done and indeed as last year’s recipient, Martin Naughton, Founder of Glen Dimplex does.
The 2024 recipients of the prestigious President’s Award were John and Paddy McParland, Owners of the Canal Court Hotel and Carrickdale Hotel. These two entrepreneurial brothers embody the spirit of farming, boasting a rich agricultural background, a strong work ethic and a commitment to their community.
Alongside their success as contractors in the construction industry, where they have helped build many local developments, they ventured into the hospitality sector in 1983, acquiring the Ravensdale Park Hotel which they reopened as the Carrickdale Hotel in September of that year.
As the Carrickdale Hotel continued to grow, so did their ambitious vision and on 16th February 1998, they opened the Canal Court Hotel in Newry, the first four-star hotel in the city centre, which quickly became the talk of the town, a buzz that still resonates 26 years later.
Their contributions go beyond mere hospitality, employment at these establishments has positively impacted countless young people and shaped many careers. Over the years, thousands of people have found employment through this family, who have made one of the largest contributions to our local economy.
John and Paddy are two humble individuals who are not ones to seek the spotlight whatsoever but are very worthy winners of this year’s Newry Chamber President’s Award.
Guests at the lunch also raised an incredible total of over £3,400 for this year’s two chosen charities for the event, Bolster Community and PIPS Hope and Support.