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Local Newry Sandwich and snack firm Around Noon is in the running for a Brand Innovation Award at the Henderson Wholesale Local Supplier Awards.
Around Noon is a finalist in the awards run by Henderson Wholesale, owners of the SPAR and EUROSPAR franchises in Northern Ireland, to mark the excellent produce, practices and ranges of the companies it works with.
As a platinum sponsor of the three day event, the SPAR brand has a key presence at the Balmoral Show, further strengthening its links with the agri-food industry and encouraging its customers to enjoy the best of local produce.
The judging panel of the Local Supplier of the Year awards, which met this week, included Professor Chris Elliott, Professor of Food Safety and Director of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University; Freda Magill, UFU Rural Affairs Committee Chairperson; UTV business editor Jamie Delargy and agriculture journalist Richard Wright.
This year entries were made across five categories from suppliers of all sizes and types and across Northern Ireland. Categories include Enjoy Local Supplier of the Year, CSR focused Tomorrow Matters, Best Direct to Store Supplier, Brand Innovation Award and Overall Local Supplier of the Year.
Around Noon is shortlisted in the Brand Innovation Award category. The company based at Greenbank Industrial Estate in Newry employs 125 and supplies Henderson Wholesale with pre-packed sandwiches and snacks.
Neal Kelly, Henderson Wholesale’s Fresh Food Director, said: “The Balmoral Show is one of the most important events for the agri-community in Northern Ireland each year and, for us, it’s a great time to show our support for local farmers and suppliers and to highlight our focus on bringing the best fresh, local, traceable food to our shoppers.
“This year we’ve extended the number of categories in our Local Supplier Awards, and have seen a huge increase in the quality and quantity of entries from our suppliers. We’re thrilled to have on board such a prestigious and experienced judging panel with top-level expertise in food safety, agriculture and business.
“We look forward to welcoming all those shortlisted and announcing the winners at our special breakfast event at the Balmoral Show.”
Other highlights at the Show include the SPAR enjoy local marquee where visitors can get involved in a host of family fun and taste a selection of SPAR’s new fresh own brand range, which celebrates the finest farmers, growers and producers in Northern Ireland.
The SPAR arena, a new addition to Balmoral this year, will host an array of entertainment throughout the Show’s three days. Finally, visitors to the Show can also pick up sandwiches, coffees and sweet treats from the fully functioning SPAR store that will sit prominently at the corner of Park Central West and Barbour Avenue.
Shortlist for Henderson Wholesale Local Supplier Awards:
Enjoy Local Supplier of the Year
Allied Bakeries
Avondale Foods
Fred C Robinson
Willowbrook Foods
Tomorrow Matters Award
Irwin’s Bakery
Mash Direct
Moy Park
Best Direct to Store Supplier Award
Irwin’s Bakery
Allied Bakeries
Doherty & Gray
Brand Innovation Award
Irwin’s Bakery
Around Noon
Mash Direct
Local Supplier of the Year
Karro Cookstown
Doherty & Gray
Willowbrook Foods
Daily Bake
Avondale Foods
The winners will be awarded at the Balmoral Show later this month.
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Naomi Bailie is delighted to announce that there will be discounted rates for small businesses, within the Newry, Mourne and Down area, to promote themselves at some of Ireland’s best Country Fair’s.
This announcement is the first in a programme of schemes to be rolled out by the Chairperson in a bid to create and enhance business and tourism opportunities for the district. The events which are being held in Shane’s Castle, County Antrim on 27 and 28 June and in Birr Castle, County Offaly on 29 and 30 August will be a fantastic opportunity for local business to showcase their product across Ireland and encourage sales.
Albert Titterington, Director of the popular Irish Game Fair & Fine Food Festival is encouraging local small businesses to make the most of this incredible offer and is particularly keen to have fine food, crafts or country living products exhibited at the events.
Albert was also responsible for the highly successful Country Lifestyle and Harvest Fair at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch in September 2014.
Albert commented, “Although we were delighted with all aspects of the event at Montalto in 2014 and considered it to be an exciting addition to our suite of events, with doubts around the funding of events by Failte and the TourismNI in 2015 we were unable to progress our event planning in the manner we considered necessary to develop the event. The uncertainty over funding meant that we had to rethink our corporate event strategy for 2015 and concentrate our resources on our two long established events at Shanes Castle and Birr Castle. We would like to thank the people of the area for their support in 2014 and plans are in place to be back with you in 2016.”
Councillor Naomi Bailie stated, “I am looking forward to the event returning in 2016 as it proved hugely popular last year and contributed positively to the local economy. It is unfortunate that a full scale event is not going ahead but we are delighted to work with Albert to deliver a smaller harvest festival in the town in September 2015. Furthermore, the successful Battle of Ballynahinch re-enactment in the town centre will return and will no doubt be a huge draw. In this difficult economic climate the Council is delighted that a 25% discounted rate is being offered to local businesses to enable them to promote their products at the events scheduled in July and August.
For further information on the small businesses discount rates please contact : 028 4483 9167 or 028 4461 5416; email irishgamefair@btinternet.com or visit www.irishgamefair.com
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Local business Prestige Business Solutions Ltd based in Poyntzpass took a Highly Commended Award in the recent CIPD NI Awards HR Consultancy of the Year 2015
Prestige are a HR Consultancy formerly based in Newry and are proud to have won their award from the Chartered Institution of Personnel and Development their governing body.
The Awards which recognise excellence across the Human Resources and Personnel Development profession took place at Belfast City Hall last week and were hosted by BBC Presenter Donna Traynor.
Headline sponsors were Recruitment specialists Brightwater.
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The iOTA Programme hosted a celebratory event recently in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry. The event was held to celebrate the success of the Programme and highlight the positive effect it has had throughout the East Border Region.
The iOTA Programme is part funded through the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme and is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It is one of many projects being delivered by The East Border Region Ltd.
Mrs Lorraine McCourt, Director of the Joint Technical Secretariat opened the event commenting “Encouraging innovation and competitiveness is a key strand of the INTERREG IVA Programme as it seeks to promote cooperation for a more prosperous cross-border region.
iOTA is a prime example of this strand of the current programme, as the project works directly with businesses and individuals to develop and diversify the economy.”
Cllr Peter Savage, Chairperson of East Border Region Ltd in his opening notes said “Given today’s severe economic climate, the timing for an intervention such as the IOTA Programme was extremely significant to supporting both potential, new and existing SME’s and micro businesses in the region. He went on to praise all those involved in the delivery of the programme and on reaching their targets.
The key speaker at the event was Susan Hayes, Managing Director of Hayes Culleton Ltd and author of ‘The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom’ and ‘Positive Economics’. Susan is also known as the Positive Economist and is, herself an entrepreneur. Susan’s uplifting speech gave the attendees an overview on the meaning of innovation and the impact it can have on a business. Susan was impressed with the results the iOTA Programme had achieved and wished all participants every success for the future.
Out of 350 businesses assisted 72 developed new products, 49 entered new markets, 58 participants created a new business, 29 new jobs were created and 177 jobs sustained. With results like these it is evident that the positive effects of the Iota Programme will be felt throughout the region for many years to come.
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Newry-based Ashtree Financial Services, the financial planning division of Autoline Insurance Group held a Breakfast Seminar last week delivering the message that SME owners throughout Northern Ireland are placing the future success of their companies at serious risk by not focusing heavily enough on business protection and succession planning.
Guest speaker Dave Dawson, Corporate Business Development Manager of Bright Grey, provided guests with an overview of the key business risks and financial planning issues affecting companies.
With a dozen accountancy firms in attendance, Mr Dawson outlined how accountants and financial planners can work together to ensure business clients put in place safeguards against threats to the value of their firms.
Speaking after the seminar, Kevin Curran, Client Services Director of Ashtree Financial Services, commented “SME owners, particularly those of family-run firms, are becoming increasingly vulnerable through not paying enough attention to business protection and succession planning. They are focused on looking after their clients on a day-to-day basis, but are not ensuring that the value the business has worked hard to accumulate is adequately protected against all potential threats.
“Business owners need to take a step back and focus on issues such as making sure the value of a business is fully protected in the event of death or illness of key staff, or that wealth is passed tax-efficiently to the next generation. We work closely with accountants to encourage our business clients to think more seriously about financial planning and hope that events such as the breakfast seminar can help reinforce the message.”
Today’s seminar is the first in a series of events Ashtree is planning which will highlight a range of key financial planning issues and advice on how to address them.
Financial advisor Karl Murphy, of Ashtree Financial Services, added:
“Across all sectors, business owners need to develop a strategy which ensures their business succeeds for them and their staff as well as delivering effectively for clients. All businesses face risks on a daily basis and one important risk to consider is the death or serious illness of a key employee, director or business owner.
“The loss of such an individual would not only impact the business financially, it could also cause financial uncertainty for the business owner’s family. Successful business planning provides the right strategy to prepare for these eventualities.”
Headquartered in Newry with branches in Downpatrick, Ballymena, Coleraine and Enniskillen, Ashtree Financial Services is the financial planning division of the Autoline Insurance Group. Established eight years ago, Ashtree integrates financial planning with tax planning to provide a complete wealth management service.
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Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade is inviting business representatives to attend a special Business Breakfast Seminar on the devolving of Corporation Tax rate setting powers to the NI Assembly which it is hosting in partnership with PKF-FPM Accountants on Tuesday 16th June in the Canal Court Hotel.
At the seminar, business representatives will hear from PKF-FPM’s Tax expert, Malachy McLernon on how a lower Corporation Tax rate may impact an indigenous company, an inbound Foreign Direct Investor (FDI) or a local investor.
Danske Bank’s Chief Economist Angela McGowan will provide an overview on how a lower Corporation Tax rate could impact the local economy and its wider implications for Northern Ireland. Feargal McCormack will facilitate a Q&A session between the business delegates and the panellists to enable further insight into this complex subject and encourage local business leaders to start thinking about how it will impact their own businesses.
Speaking on behalf of Newry Chamber of Commerce, President Deborah Loughran stated, ‘We are delighted to be hosting this very topical business seminar with our colleagues in PKF-FPM. The potential reduction of Corporation Tax in line with the Republic of Ireland will have a profound impact on our economy for generations to come. I would highly recommend that representatives from all sectors of our local business community attend this informative business breakfast seminar’.
Malachy McLernon, stated, ‘PKF-FPM are delighted to support this Newry Chamber event to discuss the opportunities and challenges that a lower corporation tax rate will have for businesses operating in NI - there are lots of traps that business owners need to be aware of’.
This event will take place on Tuesday, 16 June from 7.45am-9.15am in the Canal Court Hotel. Attendance is free of charge for Newry Chamber members and £15pp non members. To book your place at this event, please contact Newry Chamber on (028) 3025 0303; info@newrychamber.com
or book online: www.newrychamber.com
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Over 170 guests attended Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade’s Gala Dinner in the Canal Court Hotel recently where they celebrated the massive achievements of local company Glen Dimplex with their Guest Speaker being Sean O’Driscoll, CEO of the company.
The high profile event was sponsored by the Canal Court Hotel. It was attended by dignitaries, government decision makers and distinguished guests including Minister Danny Kennedy, Mickey Brady MP, Margaret Ritchie MP, Cllr Naomi Baillie, Newry Mourne Down Council and local business leaders.
President Deborah Loughran stated, ‘we in Newry Chamber are immensely proud of the success of Glen Dimplex. From its humble beginnings in Greenbank, Glen Dimplex has expanded into a global phenomenon employing 10,000 people with an annual turnover of £1.5bn. Sean O’Driscoll’s keynote speech was truly inspirational; his reflections on the Northern Ireland, European and worldwide economies were frank and enlightening. We are delighted that Sean took time out of his very busy schedule to come to Newry to meet with the local business community in what he referred to as the ‘spiritual home of Glen Dimplex’.
President Loughran added, ‘Newry Chamber offers it appreciation to Canal Court Hotel for generously sponsoring this annual event and to the Chamber members, patrons and guests who made this event a great success’.
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A grand total of £1470 was raised at Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade’s Annual Gala Ball at the end of May in the Canal Court Hotel.
This year the money was split between local charities Southern Area Hospice and Head Injury Support.
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Almost a thousand jobs have been promoted in the Newry, Mourne and Down area with Invest NI support in 2014-2015 according to latest statistics from the body.
The new jobs will be created over the next few years and are the result of £106 million of investment by companies in the area. This investment included almost £12m of assistance from Invest NI to help secure new investors to the area and support local businesses to bring forward their growth plans.
Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Manager, said: “Invest NI’s strong performance in 2014/15 is making a positive contribution towards business growth in the region. This is reflected in the 400 per cent increase in the level of investment by firms last year. As well as helping secure 964 new jobs as part of future projects, Invest NI support has also resulted in 721 new jobs actually created in Newry, Mourne and Down during 2014/15.
“During the course of the year we supported First Derivatives Group’s investment which will lead to 484 new jobs and helped Autoline Insurance to expand and create 60 new jobs over the next four years. We also announced two new investors for Newry, Shotclip and Netwatch, which is the direct result of the hard work and continued focus of Invest NI and Executive Ministers to promote Northern Ireland as a great location to invest, and a great location to grow your business.
“Through working in partnership with local firms we have helped support them to expand, look to new markets, invest in skills training for their staff and undertake R&D to remain ahead of the competition. For example, CM Precision Components Ltd benefited from Jobs Fund support to create five jobs as part of its export growth plans, while Burren Balsamics in Ballynahinch used an Invest NI Innovation Voucher and has secured its first business in Britain as a result.
“As well as this strong in-year performance, across the four years of this Programme for Government, we have helped leverage £160 million of investment in the local economy and supported projects which will create 2,209 new jobs.”
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