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There will be an Information Session on the Greater Newry Area Business Awards tomorrow Thursday 4th of July at The Bank Bar.
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade is hosting the open information sessions on Thursday 4th July to give businesses further details about the Newry Business Awards and entry process.
Two sessions will be held at the Bank Bar from 1.00pm to 2.00pm and 6.00pm to 7.00pm on Thursday 4th July. These information sessions will provide a face–to-face opportunity for businesses to discuss the benefits of entering these local and prestigious awards for your business.
If your business exemplifies success and leadership or if you know a business or business person who deserves recognition this is the event for you.
Acting Chief Executive, Colleen Dowdall stated, “This Business Awards competition is free and open to all companies within the Greater Newry Area and with 19 award categories to choose from there are plenty of opportunities to get your business duly recognised”
“We would like to thank our Principal Sponsors Newry & Mourne District Council, The Quays Shopping & Leisure Centre and Shelbourne Motors along with award category sponsors Ulster Bank, Power NI, Newry Junior Chamber, The Quays Shopping & Leisure Complex, Firmus Energy, First Trust Bank, ITS New Media, BT, Bank of Ireland UK, Lagan Construction, Danske Bank, Canal Court Hotel & Spa, Invest NI, Autoline, O Hare & McGovern Newry Credit Union, Buttercrane and Parkergreen International,
If you are interested in attending this session please contact Newry Chamber on 028 3020303 or info@newrychamber.com
Log on to www.newrybusinessesawards.com Deadline for Entry Tuesday 9th July 2013
Award Categories
Best New Business Award Sponsored by Ulster Bank
Best Green Award Sponsored by Power NI
Best Customer Service Award (Independent Retailer) Sponsored by Newry Junior Chamber
Best Customer Service Award (Multiple Retailer) Sponsored by Quays Shopping & Leisure Centre
Best Customer Service Award (Service Sector) Sponsored by Firmus Gas
Best Small Business Award Sponsored by First Trust Bank
Best Pub Award Sponsored by ITS New Media
Best Retail Premises Award Sponsored by BT
Best Business Growth Award Sponsored by Bank of Ireland
Best Commercial Premises Award Sponsored by Lagan Construction
Best in Excellence in People Development Award Sponsored by Newry & Mourne District Council
Best Innovative Business Award Sponsored by Danske Bank
Best Marketing Initiative Award Sponsored by Canal Court Hotel
Best Export Business Award Sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland
Best Eating Establishment Award Sponsored by Autoline
Best Young Entrepreneur Award Sponsored by O’Hare & Mc Govern
Best Social Enterprise Award Sponsored by Newry Credit Union
Best Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Area Award Sponsored by Buttercrane Shopping Centre
Best Corporate Social Responsibility Sponsored by Parker Green International
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Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade is calling on its members to complete the revaluation form issued by Land & Property Services (LPS) for the 2015 business rates revaluation.
Business owners will have received letters urging them to complete a Form of Return (FOR) as part of the non domestic revaluation process.
Cathal Austin President of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade stated “Newry Chamber has been working with Northern Ireland Executive for a number of years in a bid to review rates in the Greater Newry Area, and the current revaluation process is a vital part of this process. We are urging businesses to return the correct information to the Reval NI team as soon as possible. The form can be completed on paper or electronically on-line”
Cathal Austin also stated, “Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade will continue to work on the rates issue on behalf of our members and the wider business community of Newry.”
Business Owners should have received a paper form by post; alternatively an online form is also available for most property-types. Simply visit the revaluation website www.reval2015ni.gov.uk to see which form you can use. All forms are also available to download from this website should you need a new form, or you have not received a form yet.
Contact Reval 2015 NI for further information:
Call: 0300 200 7801 (outside UK: +44 28 9051 4613)
Email: info@reval2015ni.gov.uk
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The Greater Newry Area Business Awards take place on the 12th of September in the Canal Court Hotel and the Awards Shortlist has just been announced.
The winning entrants of all 19 categories will be announced at the Gala Awards Ceremony on the 12th.
The judges were overwhelmed by the outstanding volume and quality of the entries in this year’s Awards competition. Colleen Dowdall Acting Chief Executive of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade stated “It is compliment to the spirit of Newry businesses that, despite the current tough economic time, many companies and individuals are continuing to succeed. The Judges advised Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade that the standard of entry this year was extremely competitive. It is a great achievement for all those companies to have been shortlisted for the awards. We wish them all the very best of luck at the ceremony.”
The Greater Newry Area Business Awards are supported by main sponsors Newry & Mourne District Council, The Quays Shopping and Leisure Centre and Shelbourne Motors along with all individual Category Sponsors.
Visit www.newrybusinessawards.com to view the Shortlist or book your place at the Gala Awards Ceremony.
For all further information regarding booking your places for the event please contact Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade, Telephone: 028 30250303 Email: info@newrychamber.com or check their website out at www.newrychamber.com
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Encore Boutique was officially launched at Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry last week by BBC Northern Ireland's Jo Scott.
The BBC celebrity admired the style in store, greeted staff and customers and posed for fun photographs along the shopping mall with models, volunteers and staff. Encore Boutique oozed style and glamour at the launch, and lucky customers were treated to Pink Champagne, Chocolates and Strawberries. Passers by were intrigued by the fuss and bowled over by the fashion and the beauty!
Encore had the pleasure of working with award-winning stylists Trina Marie and Rita from Gifted, Meigh, the fabulous Buttercrane models Jenny, Claire, Catherine and Niamh, and Martina Crilly from Creative Designs who ensured that the shop dazzled on the day! A huge thank you also to Peter Murray & Buttercrane Shopping Centre for your continued support for SAHS and also to Colm Toner, Country Carpets for providing the store furnishings.
Encore stocks high-end brand new, and pre-loved Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaids and Flower Girl dresses, Mother of the Bride outfits, formal wear and accessories. With Bridal Wear from Gabriella, Venus and Jasmine in a range of sizes and Mother of the Bride / wedding guest labels including Linea Raffaelli, Karen Merkel, Jade and Sarah Cornell, Encore is well worth a visit!
Encore Boutique is a pop-up shop and will be available for a limited time only! All proceeds from Encore Boutique are going to Southern Area Hospice Services. So hurry along to Buttercrane, Newry and bag yourself a bargain whilst also supporting your local hospice!
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The Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Charlie Bean, made a visit to Newry business First Derivatives today as part of his visit to Northern Ireland.
First Derivatives are the leading provider of software and consulting services to the capital markets industry.
The visit to Northern Ireland formed part of the Deputy Governor’s tour of a range of enterprises across the region. The Deputy Governor was keen to understand First Derivatives’ view of the economy, the challenges facing the Company in terms of wage inflation, transport costs and the steps needed to transition Northern Ireland from a public sector dominated economy to an export led private sector economy. In addition, the Deputy Governor was keen to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the Company as a consequence of its close proximity to the land border with the Republic of Ireland / European Union.
First Derivatives was included as a part of the tour as it is a key employer of highly skilled and paid staff involved in the financial IT sector within Ireland. The Deputy Governor took an interest in First Derivatives technology platform and its Delta suite of software products, particularly those solutions deployed in a regulatory and market surveillance capacity.
The company demonstrated its Delta software which was recently adopted by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) to meet the “Big Data” challenge in its statutory obligation to oversee Australia’s licensed financial markets. The Delta software enables real-time and post-trade detection of trading anomalies and irregularities that may indicate disorderly or prohibited trading across the range of asset classes and products traded.
As a key graduate employer within Northern Ireland, First Derivatives discussed with the Deputy Governor how its location has been a key element in its success. Reasons behind this include ready access to a supply of talent in the fields of technology and finance, particularly in terms of graduates from the high quality universities in Ireland (North and South); lower costs than might be incurred if operating directly from the world’s financial centres of, for example, London or New York; and the support provided from the Northern Ireland Economic Development Agency, Invest NI.
These advantages are further exploited in its Near Shore service that combines the benefits of low cost location and resource availability with proximity to the major financial centres and cultural alignment. First Derivatives also explained the significance and uniqueness of its Capital Market Training Programme (CMTP) that all consultants undertake in advance of on-site engagement to provide them with the practical knowledge and skills required to make immediate contribution on client projects.
Commenting on the Deputy Governor’s visit Adrian Toner, COO of First Derivatives, said; “We are delighted to have hosted the Deputy Governor at our Newry headquarters today and to have had the opportunity to introduce him to our talented staff and to demonstrate our products. The Deputy Governor took a real interest in the potential for First Derivatives, both as a fast growing global business within the investment banking industry and as a company providing sustainable jobs to the local community and supporting the Northern Ireland economy.”
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Newry based FM Environmental, has secured business in Mexico worth around £750,000 with support from Invest Northern Ireland.
FM Environmental has developed a successful portfolio of products for water and waste treatment and operates from a base at Greenbank Industrial Estate.
The new contract will see the company supply its industry leading Grease Guardian fat removal equipment to US owned Walmart, the world’s biggest retailer. The equipment will be used by Walmart in over 200 restaurants which the retailer currently operates in stores across Mexico
FM Environmental has used assistance from Invest NI to develop its global marketing and has participated in the agency’s international visit programme. The company currently exports equipment to over 30 markets including the US, Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, France and Russia.
Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, said: “This is an extremely important contract for a company which continues to demonstrate an impressive commitment to business growth in markets outside Northern Ireland. “We’ve worked closely with FM Environmental on the development and implementation of international marketing plans through trade missions and participation in targeted exhibitions with its successful Grease Guardian machinery. “The company has developed a structured approach to its international business involving extensive market research to pinpoint opportunities. Its success is also based on fast response to initial leads supported by excellent customer service. This responsive engagement is a key requirement for successful exporting and is something many companies neglect.”
Eamon Fitzpatrick, FM Environmental Marketing Director said: “Winning this business from such a prestigious customer as Walmart is tremendously encouraging and will be of enormous benefit to us as we seek to grow our business in North America, now a key target market for us. “It’s a market with huge potential for our Grease Guardian equipment because of the scale of the fast food business, particularly in the US. We are focusing significant resources there to develop opportunities that we have already identified.
“Our growing success in international markets has helped us to achieve 20 per cent growth annually over the past few years. Invest NI’s encouragement and practical support, particularly through the international visit programme, have been immensely important and has enabled us to position the business for further growth in the US, Europe and the Middle East.”
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This year’s Annual Newry Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic will take place in Warrenpoint Golf Club on Friday the 30th of August.
Colleen Dowdall, Acting Chief Executive, Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade stated, ‘ ‘We are delighted once again to be hosting this great networking and social event for our members and the wider business community in the first class facilities at Warrenpoint Golf Club.
Amazing prizes are on offer for the four ball competition as well as prizes for ‘Nearest to the Pin’ and ‘Longest Drive’. Prizes for the four ball competition include rounds of golf at some of Ireland’s top golf resorts including Portmarnock, Roganstown and Edenmore
ASPRAY is sponsoring this year’s Golf Classic for a second year. Speaking on behalf of Aspray, Michéal Crilly, an avid golf enthusiast, commented ‘Aspray, the Property Repair and Insurance Claims Management specialists are delighted for a second year to support the 2013 Newry Chamber Golf Classic. We look forward to a great day out with Newry Chamber and its members’.
Entry to the four ball competition costs £120 (includes meals and goody bags). To book team please contact Newry Chamber on (028) 3025 0303, or email: info@newrychamber.com
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The Investors in People (IiP) group scheme programme has just been launched by Newry and Mourne District Council and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).
There is a strong recognition that ‘good people mean good business’ and to be successful during challenging times, companies need to utilise talent available, build effective team work and encourage leadership at all times.
Now eleven proactive companies within the District Council area have signed up to participate in this business improvement programme and are taking the steps not only to sustain their businesses during this difficult period but to grow them. The Group Scheme Programme provides organisations with a structured, straightforward framework to benefit from using an internationally recognised business improvement tool – Investors in People.
The programme itself, will be delivered through a series of 5 workshops which stretch participants to benchmark their current people management and development practices and improve how they: strategically plan, effectively manage; communicate; train and manage individual, team and company performance. Support is provided through group style workshops, on-site tailored consultancy and an interactive web site containing an extensive resource library.
The programme will help develop a more professional focus and enable companies to utilise the asset key to business success, their people. Workshop tutorials, on-site business mentoring and ongoing assistance ensures that each participating organisation is provided with the necessary support to review and improve business practices leading to assessment and potential recognition as an Investor in People. The programme is the result of a partnership between Newry and Mourne District Council and DEL and both part-fund the project.
If you are interested in participating in any future programmes or would like further information please contact Ciara Newell, Investors in People Unit, on 028 9090 5351 or email ciara.newell@delni.gov.uk
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The Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) Minister, Dr Stephen Farry and Lord Ballyedmond, Chairman of Norbrook Laboratories were in Newry yesterday to launch the ‘Norbrook Apprenticeship Programme’ an Apprenticeship Scheme for young people in the greater Newry area.
Since its foundation over 40 years ago, Norbrook Laboratories has grown to be one of the worlds leading pharmaceutical companies specialising in the development of revolutionary veterinary and animal health medicines. Innovation and a commitment to novel research and revolutionary processes and products are seen as the cornerstones of the company’s success.
In June this year Norbrook announced an expansion of its workforce with a commitment to employ a further 400 new staff over the next 2 years. The launch of the ‘Norbrook Laboratories Apprenticeship Programme’ in laboratory science is an important element of the company’s planned expansion programme. With approximately 22,000 young people unemployed in Northern Ireland, the launch of the Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeship programme in collaboration with the Southern Regional College is seen as an important development in addressing the lack of real job opportunities for school leavers.
Norbrook is further collaborating with Southern Regional College and the University of Ulster to develop a Higher Level 5 Apprenticeship in Life and Chemical Sciences to commence in 2014. This exciting programme will offer an alternative pathway to the more traditional degree qualification for school leavers at A level. Speaking at the launch event today, Minister Farry stated that this is the first pilot of Higher Level Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland and he paid tribute to Norbrook, Southern Regional College and University of Ulster for progressing this ground breaking initiative which will provide high level jobs within the local economy.
Lord Ballyedmond, chairman of Norbrook Laboratories said “The apprenticeship programme developed in partnership with the Southern Regional College provides a significant opportunity for young people to embark on an exciting career within the pharmaceutical industry. The development of the Level 2 and Level 3 Laboratory and Science Technician Apprenticeship demonstrates our long term commitment to the young people of the greater Newry area. I am delighted that Norbrook Laboratories is in a position to make such a significant contribution to training and employment.”
The apprenticeship scheme consists of both work related experience and training in Norbrook Laboratories combined with science based qualifications undertaken through the Southern Regional College on a day release basis.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry said “I commend Norbrook Laboratories for creating opportunities for young people to gain employment in the pharmaceutical industry. In the current economic climate, it is important we continue to invest in the skills training of our young people. My Department is currently carrying out a review of the apprenticeship and youth training programmes and my aim is to build upon and enhance existing strong provision, ensuring that Northern Ireland has a system of apprenticeship and youth training that is the ‘gold standard. The development of apprenticeships in priority skills areas such as pharmaceutical and life sciences is vital for the future success of the Northern Ireland economy.’"
He continued by saying, “The work that the Southern Regional College is currently undertaking with Norbrook Laboratories is an example of how our Further Education colleges can work in partnership with local business and industry. The development of science related apprenticeships is important for the future of our young people and for the local economy. It is hoped that the development of apprenticeships at Level 2 and 3 will lead to piloting a higher level apprenticeship at Level 5 from September 2014. This development will enable young people to progress through the skills ladder and to obtain degree level qualifications through employment.”
The announcement of the ‘Norbrook Laboratories Apprenticeship programme' was also welcomed Mr Brian Doran, Chief Executive of Southern Regional College. He said:
"I am delighted that the partnership that exists between Norbrook Laboratories and the College has been further strengthened through the announcement of the apprenticeship scheme. I am confident this development will make a lasting contribution to the future workforce in the greater Newry area. Work based learning, is not only a great opportunity for young people to earn while learning but it also provides key employers such as Norbrook Laboratories with a throughput of
fresh energetic and committed young people."
Applications forms for the Norbrook Laboratories Apprenticeship scheme can be obtained from the Southern Regional College i3 team by emailing i3@src.ac.uk or calling 028 3025 9664.
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