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This weeks Cross Border Business Support Expo attracted over 300 business delegates. The Expo was hosted by Newry and Dundalk Chambers of Commerce and supported by InterTradeIreland and took place on Wednesday in the Carrickdale Hotel.
Ms Colleen Dowdall, Acting Chief Executive of Newry Chamber stated, ‘as joint organisers of this event, Newry Chamber was delighted with its success for second year in a row in terms of networking opportunities created and the opening of communication channels between local businesses and Support Agencies’.
‘There is a selection of business support programmes currently offered to small businesses; however, there is some confusion within the business community about where to look for support and exactly what businesses can avail of. In this challenging economic climate local businesses need to take advantage of all appropriate support opportunities open to them. This event provided a unique forum for business owners and managers to speak directly to all the local Business Support Providers on a one-to-one basis, on one day, under one roof’.
Over 35 Business Support Agencies catering for the needs of businesses located within the Newry Dundalk region exhibited at this Expo; exhibitors included, InterTradeIreland, EURES, Invest NI, Newry & Mourne District Council, Louth County Council, Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency, Southern Regional College, SOAR, Stem Project, Department of Employment & Learning, Louth Regional Development Centre, Enterprise Ireland, Employability Louth, all of the main lending institutions.
Mr Paddy Savage, InterTradeIreland, ‘ IntertradeIreland are delighted to support such events and we would like to take this opportunity to encourage local companies to seek support from InterTradeIreland to help them access and benefit from cross-border business opportunities.”
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Autoline Insurance in Newry are reminding female drivers to look again at their car insurance before 21st December when a European Court of Justice decision makes it no longer possible to take gender into account when setting insurance prices, comes into force. Local insurance company Autoline Insurance Group believes this ruling will have a significant impact locally especially on young female drivers.
The current system allows insurers to price differently for female drivers who pay less for their car insurance as statistics show that females are deemed to be lower risk.
The Association of British Insurers expects that young men could benefit from the largest average decrease in premiums of up to 10%, while young females could experience the largest average increase of up to 25%. Young women under the age of 40 are likely to be hardest hit as it is this group that has historically enjoyed substantially lower rates than their male counterparts. The younger you are the bigger the jump in insurance costs is likely to be.
Caroline Currie, Sales Director for Autoline Insurance Group said, “This new ruling is going to greatly impact the insurance market for buyers so it is vital the public understand what it means to them. We would urge young women in particular, to look again at their car insurance before this ruling comes into effect as their premiums are likely to increase. Male drivers on the other hand may see premiums fall once it comes into effect.
“Autoline Insurance has worked to address this issue with another option by being the first in Europe to launch a phone app that monitors how you drive. A number of insurers have allowed substantial discounts for drivers who have the app and further discounts are available for good driving scores. Each driver has access to their score through their customer portal and drivers are given hints and tips on how to improve their score.”
Caroline added, “This system called ‘Telematics’ has the potential to be a real money saver, particularly for younger drivers, male and female. Rather than going on the assumption that all young or new drivers are reckless and a danger on the roads, they allow the motorist to prove themselves by having their driving monitored, regularly check and improve their score and by doing so, drive more safely and save on their policy.
“The gender ruling has attracted widespread criticism, however it may not be a bad thing in the long-term as alternatives like Telematics enables insurers to more accurately calculate appropriate insurance premiums, and for the first time the driver can influence the premium they pay by the way they drive.”
For further information on how the gender ruling may affect you or to find out about Telematics please call Autoline on 08452 30 30 30 or log onto www.autoline.co.uk
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This year Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade have combined their 120th Anniversary Gala Dinner supporting the Michaela Foundation and the traditional annual Newry Business Charity Lunch into a single unique Newry Chamber Christmas Charity Dinner on Thursday 6 December 2012 at 5.30 p.m. in the Canal Court Hotel (dinner commencing at 6.00 p.m. sharp) and tickets are still available.
The Guest Speakers at the event will be Mickey Harte and John McAreavey and the entire proceeds of the special Raffle at the event will be donated to “The Michaela Foundation – Life without limits”.
It is planned to continue with the very successful annual ‘ToyMountain’, and a key element of the Iconic Event, will be that all attendees will be asked to bring an unwrapped new toy to be donated to the local St. Vincent de Paul Society, The Salvation Army and The Children’s Ward, Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry. Other organisations to benefit from the event will be the Southern Area Hospice and the Rathore School Special Needs Summer Scheme.
The traditional Santa Charity Fun Run, which has in the past been organised on the morning of the Newry Business Christmas Charity Lunch will continue this year, but will take place on Thursday evening 22 November 2012 at 6.30 p.m., in conjunction with the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Newry, hosted by Newry & Mourne District Council. The nominated charities to benefit from the Santa Run will be the Newry Gateway Club and PIPS Newry & Mourne.
Since it commenced in 2000, the Newry Business Charity Lunch (incorporating the Santa Fun Run) has raised an amazing total of £808,750 in cash and toys for distribution to the local community during the 11 year period.
The cost of the Charity Dinner remains fixed for the fifth successive year at £50 + VAT (£60) per person including wines and a VAT invoice will be issued post receipt of monies. Complete tables of ten people may be booked (a booking form is attached). Limited spaces are available and you are requested to purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment. If you require any further information please feel free to contact a member of the sub-committee organising the Christmas Charity Dinner, Cathal Austin, (President, Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade), Dr. Gerard O’Hare, Declan McChesney, Jerome Mullen, Jack Murphy, Orla Jackson, Gemma Murphy, Deborah Loughran and Feargal McCormack.
Your support for the 2012 Newry Chamber Christmas Charity Dinner, incorporating the Santa Fun Run, which will benefit local children at Christmas time would be much appreciated.
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Warrenpoint man Wayne Denner has joined Anti bullying Week campaigns that run to the 23rd of November by launching a free ebook to combat Cyber bullying.
Wayne a Social Media Expert has many years of experience as a Lecturer, youth speaker and Thought Leader on social media, working with schools, colleges and community groups across NI
Written for parents, educators and community groups working with young people, the free ebook gives practical advice and tips to help protect children and young people online.
Wayne says: “Technology has driven bullying to a new level. Young people are immersed in online socialising and it here that cyber bullying is rapidly increasing via social media platforms, gaming communities, texting and emailing. Cyber bullying by its nature surrounds teens 24/7 and can have a devastating effect on the young person.
‘In fact, recent reports* cite one in thirteen 11-16 year olds experience cyber bullying. As a professional working in this sector and lecturing young people on social media, I felt a responsibility to get involved in Anti Bullying week and share my experiences and insights with parents and educators to help young people protect their online reputation and promote positive use when socialising online”
Ofcom's latest report on the Media Habits of Parents and Children found that 11-16 year olds spend some 17 hours per week socialising online and that they have an average of around 286 ‘friends’.
“These figures reinforce the need for parents and educators to be knowledgeable about social media and for young people the importance of making good choices online,” Wayne adds.
The launch of the new Free ebook by Wayne Denner, 'Tips on How to Beat the Cyber Bully' coincides with Anti Bullying Week from 19-23 November. Download it free from beatthecyberbully.com/ebook or tel 028 95 816 717 for more information.
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Hill Engineering based at Carnbane Business Park in Newry has won its first business in Australia for its leading-edge TEFRA quick coupler with assistance from Invest Northern Ireland.
The company, a specialist in the design and manufacture of earth moving attachments for the quarrying, mining and construction industry, has secured business in excess of £300,000 following an extensive marketing drive in key Australian centres such as Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
The new business was announced by Ian Hill, Managing Director of Hill Engineering, and welcomed by Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI’s Director of Trade. Invest NI provided assistance to enable the company to develop a marketing campaign in Australia for its TEFRA branded couplers used in excavation and construction machinery.
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Local businesses have had a busy couple of weeks over Christmas after a slow start.
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade has welcomed the news that many retailers have reported an uplift in business over Christmas and New Year in the city. The festive period started slowly for many with reports that it picked up significantly in the week leading up to the holidays and has continued to be steady in the sale period post-Christmas.
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Photography firm Jessops who have a store in the Buttercrane Shopping Centre have gone into Administration. The future of the Newry branch isn't known at present but the Administrators have said it is inevitable that there will be store closures.
PwC have been appointed as Administrator for the company which has almost 200 stores. Jessops formerly known as Jessops of Leicester was opened as a family business in 1935. In recent years the firm has had financial difficulties followed by a complete review of the operation of the business but unfortunately it was not enough.
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Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade will host a Labour Relations seminar on Handling Discipline & Grievances on the 31st January 2013 in Bagenal’s Castle Newry.
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Newry and Mourne Council has met with the Newry Chamber of Commerce and Newry City Centre Management to discuss the future implementation of a loyalty card scheme.
The scheme
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