Autumn 2024 has been the busiest month on record for Newry Chamber. Ministerial visits at the highest level have put the needs of the Greater Newry economy at the heart of the Northern Ireland Executive’s agenda.
The Chamber has put its ideas on tackling our infrastructure deficit and workforce challenges into action with a series of highly successful events and conferences throughout September and October 2024.
November is shaping up to be another action-packed month with the Chamber hosting the NI SME Business Conference & Expo at the Canal Court Hotel on Thursday 14th November and we hope to see you there to hear from our excellent array of speakers.
In this month’s newsletter, we have included information on:
- NI SME Business Conference & Expo
- Newry Chamber President’s Banquet 2024
- NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference is a Huge Success
- Summary of how the Autumn Budget 2024 Affects NI Businesses
- Chamber Hosts Engagement Event with Finance & Economy Ministers
- Newry Chamber Meets with Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd MLA
- Women’s Aid Armagh Down Launch One Step Shop Project
- Newry City AFC Seek Expressions of Interest for New 3G Pitch
Michael Savage
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
REGISTER NOW: NI SME BUSINESS CONFERENCE & EXPO
DATE: Thursday 14th November 2024
TIME: 8am – 2:30pm
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel, Newry
COST: FREE TO ATTEND
Register now for our NI SME Business Conference which will take place on Thursday 14th November from 8am – 2:30pm in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.
The event has been running for almost a decade and attracts over 200 delegates every year and will feature 20+ expert speakers from specialist organisations as well as 20+ exhibitors to provide advice and support.
If you’re interested in taking an exhibition stand at the event, please contact our CEO, Michael Savage on:
michael@newrychamber.com.
There will be 5x one-hour workshops, including sector-specific workshops to choose from which will cover the most topical issues for SMEs so book your FREE place. Full programme will be announced in the coming days.
THE WORKSHOPS WILL COVER THE FOLLOWING:
- Sales & Marketing
- Finance & The Economy
- Smart Business Practices
- Revitalising Town & City Centres
- Tourism as an Economic Driver
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR:
SUPPORTING SPONSORS:
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
NEWRY CHAMBER PRESIDENT’S BANQUET 2024
Over 250 business representatives attended this year’s Chamber President’s Banquet on Friday 25th October in the Canal Court Hotel, kindly sponsored by the hotel and Ulster Bank, long-term sponsors of the event which is one of the highlights of the business year in the city.
Newry Chamber President, Edwina Flynn has urged the NI Executive to collaborate with the business community in the Greater Newry Area to provide infrastructure and skills supports our region needs for economic growth.
Speaking in front of a packed room, attended by our 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.
This year marked the third year of the President’s Award. A recognition bestowed upon visionary leaders from the business community who have made a positive and enduring impact on 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.
Guests at the Banquet 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.
WATCH PRESIDENT’S AWARD HERE
READ MORE HERE
NMD RECRUITMENT & SKILLS CONFERENCE IS A SUCCESS
Over 200 delegates from the NMDDC Area attended the successful NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference on Wednesday 9th October hosted by Mark Simpson in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.
We were delighted to organise the event in partnership with NMD Labour Market Partnership (LMP), NMDDC, SRC, SERC and Ulster University.
Delegates heard from keynote speakers and panellists discuss many areas around the theme of the event, ‘Meeting the District’s Workforce Challenge’ as well as an address from Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for NI who joined via video-link from Westminster.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber said:
“The conference was all about starting a much-needed conversation on how we can collaborate to devise a locally focused strategy that meets the 21st century skills and recruitment needs of our region.”
“We were delighted to be involved in the organisation and delivery of this important event as one of our core strategic pillars is Tackling the Workforce Challenges of the Greater Newry Area.”
“The conference is the first of two major conferences over a 12-month period with the second District-wide conference taking place in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle on 8th October 2025.”
READ MORE HERE
SUMMARY OF THE AUTUMN BUDGET 2024
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP delivered her first Autumn Budget and Labour’s first Autumn Budget in 14 years yesterday.
You can view a full summary of key announcements to understand their potential impact on your business via the link below but some of the key points include:
- From 6th April 2025, Employer National Insurance Contributions will increase by 1.2%, from 13.8% to 15%
- National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, will increase from 1st April 2025
- The per-employee threshold at which employers start to pay National Insurance will be reduced from £9,100 to £5,000 per year from 6th April 2025
- The NI Executive will receive an additional £1.5bn through the Barnett formula in 2025-26
- UK Government reaffirmed its commitment to develop an Enhanced Investment Zone in NI and will work with the NI Executive to develop proposals
- Under-served parts of NI will benefit from the rollout of digital infrastructure enabled by over £500m of UK-wide investment in Project Gigabit and Shared Rural Network
- The main rate of Corporation Tax, paid by businesses on taxable profits over £250,000, will remain at 25% for the duration of this Parliament
VIEW PRESS RELEASE HERE
VIEW AUTUMN BUDGET SUMMARY HERE
CHAMBER MEETS WITH ECONOMY MINISTER &
FINANCE MINISTER IN NEWRY CITY
We welcomed Economy Minister, Conor Murphy MLA and Finance Minister, Caoimhe Archibald MLA for a Fireside Chat Engagement Event, which was hosted by Norbrook Laboratories at The Ballyedmond Centre.
The unique event, organised by the Chamber, provided the opportunity for many of the leading employers in our region to meet with two senior NI Executive Ministers to discuss the economic and financial challenges facing local businesses in the Greater Newry Area.
During the event, the Ministers answered questions and engaged across a broad spectrum of issues including:
- The Rates Burden its impact on the retail, hospitality and professional services sector and how we fund our public services into the future
- Departmental cross-cutting/collaboration in providing funding for seismic economic change in our region
- Balanced regional approach to economic development
- Tackling workforce challenges through a collaborative approach to meeting the skills and recruitment needs of the Greater Newry Area in the years ahead
- Newry as the Gateway City to the GB & EU Markets, maximising the opportunity and funding opportunities
- Maximising the potential of the all-island of economy
READ MORE HERE
NEWRY CHAMBER HOSTS FIRESIDE WITH
INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTER, JOHN O’DOWD MLA
The Chamber welcomed the Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd MLA for a Fireside Chat Engagement Event hosted by SRC at The Graduate Restaurant in their Newry East Campus.
Organised by Newry Chamber, the event provided an opportunity for the local business community to meet with Minister O’Dowd to discuss the need to tackle the infrastructure deficit across the region and how it has become an obstacle to growth and economic and social development across the city and district.
Michael Savage, CEO of Newry Chamber said:
“One of Newry Chamber’s core pillars is the centred around tackling the infrastructure deficit across the city and district.”
“A lack of investment in our water and sewerage treatment capacity has become a serious impediment to economic growth in our region and it was important that the Minister heard this from business leaders and investors who are ready and willing to invest in our city and wider district and work with the Department to develop solutions that enhance the capacity in our network and facilitates development.”
“This area is on the cusp of a decade of real opportunity and the Minister left the meeting informed of the ambitions we have for our city and its people and our need for support from Central Government to realise those ambitions.”
READ MORE HERE
WOMEN’S AID ARMAGH DOWN LAUNCH ONE STOP SHOP
Women’s Aid Armagh Down have launched their new ‘One Stop Shop Project’ this month which will continue on the first Thursday of every month, in Newry Library from 10am – 12pm.
This is a drop-in service providing free, immediate and confidential access to legal, benefits, safety and housing advice and Women’s Aid services, all under one roof as a first point of contact for many women facing domestic abuse.
Women’s Aid Armagh Down will also be supported at the One Stop Shop Project by staff from:
• Community Advice
• Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• Local Solicitors
• Police Service of Northern Ireland
• Crime Prevention
READ MORE HERE
NEWRY CITY AFC SEEK EOI FOR NEW 3G PITCH
Newry City Athletic Football Club are on schedule to have their New 3G Pitch available for use by November and are seeking expressions of interest.
They are now looking to apprise any prospective patrons to consider when and how often you might like to hire the pitch. It’s likely demand will quickly outstrip supply and evenings in particular may have significant demand.
The club cannot guarantee anyone a place of course and slot approval is unlikely to be on a first come first served basis. A dedicated bookings email will allow everyone to express their interest in booking the facility in advance of the official opening.
Expressions of interest will not guarantee anyone a slot but will help the club plan for demand at the earliest possible stage. The club look forward to hearing from you and advise you all that expressions of interest will only be considered through the email address below.
READ MORE HERE
SEND EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST:
bookings@newrycityafc.co.uk