Joint Chamber Manifesto

Newry, Warrenpoint, Crossmaglen, Kilkeel, Newcastle & Downpatrick Chambers of Commerce have been meeting for a year to tackle issues of common concern and opportunity and have produced the following Manifesto.

The following 5 issues have been identified as needing urgent attention from our Councils (Newry and Mourne and Down District Councils), Government Agencies, Assembly, North South Ministerial Council and Parliament

Collectively we account for over 610 businesses who contribute to local rates, employ local people, serve our local communities and generate tax and revenue to the Northern Ireland economy.

We have come together to try to address the following key issues and seek your support in tackling these issues. Local businesses are at breaking point and we expect your urgent support and action.

1. 1. Town/City Centre Survival – URGENT Planning Issues We oppose out of town and edge of town retail developments. Out of town and edge of town developments significantly reduces footfall from city/town centres thus threatening the long-term viability of the town/city centres.
2. Need for Tourism Boost – Mourne Mountains National Park Status! Tourism has been identified as a sector that can deliver short and long term returns. Therefore we need to see the Mournes and Slieve Gullion areas being promoted and marketed to maximise visitors to this area in the next few months. 2012 is being heralded as the major year for tourism in N.Ireland but many tourism businesses will not see the benefits as they will not survive 2011. Delivering primary legislation for a National Park is a priority, followed by making the Mournes Northern Ireland’s first National Park. That the Slieve Gullion, Mournes, Cooley Peninsula area attain “Geo-Park” status within the next 12 months
3. Energy Costs – Fuel Reduction. The increase in fuel costs adversely affects the cost of products, running costs and makes it more expensive for customers to travel to purchase goods. This must be tackled as a priority at Parliament.
4. Lending to Small & Medium Size Businesses Increased Dedicated small business funding mechanisms need to put in place. More information must be given to businesses on how they can obtain finance.
5. Job Creation Increased There is a need for job creation in order that people in the south Down/Armagh area have jobs in order to be able to spend in local shops and town centre businesses. With the increase in travel costs, people need more jobs and most important locally. Particular emphasis needs to be placed by Government agencies to assist inward investment into all these areas
6. Infrastructure The development of a Southern Relief Road is a key infrastructure priority which will benefit the entire region encompassing Newry City, South Down and South Armagh. To encourage inward investment there is a need to have key roads upgraded these include the Crossmaglen to Newry road and the Dundalk to Armagh road. Additional interchanges on the Primary route network. In particular an interchange is needed on the Dundalk/Armagh road from the M1 to open up the entire South Armagh Region.
7. Signage on national routes To encourage greater visitor numbers, better signage, together with additional “brown” tourism signage is required on the primary routes e.g. M1