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For anyone passing by Merchant's Quay, Newry at 8 this morning, the sight of a group of people deeply engaged in discussion would have got them thinking that perhaps an early morning tourism group were getting aquainted with our city.
The reality was a similar scenario although the 'tour group' was a dozen local business people on a walk organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce to give their members a chance to get to know the different investment and regeneration projects that are on the way for our City, as well as a chance to get to know each other, with a brisk walk thrown in for free!
It's one of several initiatives organised by Chamber CEO Tony McKeown with a previous 'walk, talk and connect' network event at Victoria Lock last summer. McKeown enjoys running and walking so the great outdoors is something he is passionate about and he believes Newry has so much to offer with its heritage and history.
The events with the Chamber gave all the members a chance to share ideas and get their daily exercise in at the same time.
Speaking about the events the CEO said "Newry Chamber have hosted a number of walking events round the city centre regeneration projects to show people what investment is coming to Newry and also to showcase some of the private sector investment that has already come here. We just want to get our members engaged because they are key stakeholders, and we hear some great feedback, some great ideas from our members, from our youngest to our oldest, male and female. We want to hear those ideas and what their suggestions are and we want to feed that back into the stakeholder group."
The group got a chance to look at the sites of projects at Newry Town Hall, Sugar Island, Merchant's Quay, Albert Basin, Newry Market and Abbey Way.
One of the participants pointed out the importance of such events at the present time, with many people now not in their business premises 5 days a week, reducing the social aspect of work which can be so taken for granted. A chance to catch up with people regularly for a chat can not be underestimated.
See NEWRYCHAMBER.COM for more information on upcoming events or for details on how to join.
