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Best Property Services have made their annual donation to St Vincent de Paul and Women’s Aid in lieu of client gifts and cards.
The staff have also donated care packages for teens currently in need.
This year, the company also ran a facebook Christmas Tree Competition to win Shopping Vouchers.
The winner Clodagh Murphy has opted to donate her prize to Newry Helping the Homeless to purchase hats and scarves for those in need this Christmas.
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Best Property Services have reported a 20% boost in sales volume of resale residential property in 2017.
Adrian Doran, Residential Valuer with Best Property Services comments on the upturn in both listings and transactions in the upper end of the local residential market (£300k- £1M) which has not been seen for a number of years.
“There is an active demand in the general resale sector in all price bands as supply levels are currently lower than normal,” Adrian adds.
Siobhan Phillips of Best New Homes division has witnessed a significant increase in the quantity of new homes being made available by developers in Newry, Warrenpoint and Dungannon areas, this has subsequently led to a sales volume increase of 130% and a price increase on average of 9.7% above 2016 levels.
The New Homes division is currently managing sales of new housing schemes in Bessbrook, Newry, Ballymacnab, Caledon, Tamnamore , Blackwatertown and Galbally.
For 2018 there are a number of clients with active new developments moving from planning to housing completions in the Dungannon, Jonesborough and Coalisland areas among others.
Overall the 2017 residential sales figures between the Newry and Dungannon offices have exceed £25M for the first time in a decade.
The local rental sector remains very buoyant mainly driven by an under supply of good quality rental property and high demand from prospective tenants particularly in the Newry area, this has resulted in an overall rent increase of some 6%.
Looking to the commercial landscape, it remains challenging as funding is not readily available, reports Commercial Director Ciara Aiken.
“That being said, the Best commercial team have felt a positive improvement in the market, evidenced by the rise in transactions during 2017, which have more than doubled.”
Notable sales include a large office building on Downshire Road to the very successful MAC Interiors Group based in Newry, a letting of high spec gym in Greenbank Industrial Est and the recent sales of self-contained industrial premises in Lurgan and Carnbane - where competitive bidding saw the guide prices exceeded in both cases.
Latterly, the sale of an investment property in Newry City Centre attracted unrivalled interest and the final sales price achieved was +45% over the Guide price.
“The positive confidence can be seen in the fact that vacancy rates in the City Centre have reduced substantially in the last 12 months and a new, privately owned retail/office scheme has been developed at Custom House, on Merchants Quay– the first privately owned scheme of this type to be developed in the city since 2009,” Ciara says.
The commercial team report that Brexit has not yet made any tangible impact on market activity although they have noted a slight rise in enquiry levels from across the border.
“It may well be the case that in the short term the Brexit process will throw up as many opportunities as disadvantages . Its longer term, the impact on the property market is difficult to predict at this stage,” Ciara concludes.
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December saw Buttercrane Centre enjoying a great Christmas trading period peaking at 165,000 visitors in a single week with a quarter of these visitors coming from across the border.
The centre's end of year report cites a + 4% increase in footfall in December compared to the same period in 2016.
National footfall in UK is down by 3.83 % in November and December but Buttercrane has bucked this trend.
This was primarily attributed to the centre’s wider appeal as recent lettings have ensured the centre is almost fully occupied - with recent new store openings including Superdrug and Burger King. The Brexit effect on Euro exchange value has continued to drive greater numbers of ROI shoppers throughout 2017 and especially in the final quarter of the year.
Peter Murray Buttercrane Centre Manager said: “We’ve over 95,000 shoppers a week visiting the centre regularly, peaking in December to over 165,000 in a single week showing a year on year rise of 4%. Sales of gift cards are also up significantly, which demonstrates increased confidence in the centre following two years of repositioning ourselves with an expanded retail and food & beverage offering and further good news to come on lettings in Q1 2018.
“The Euro value certainly had an impact throughout 2017 when we saw on average 25% of shoppers visiting from ROI as compared to 12% back in 2015, pre-Brexit. Nonetheless, our regular shopper continues to be from our primary catchment areas of South Down and South Armagh. We have actually seen the centre attract more regular visitors from this core catchment area, and as a business we are always grateful for the continued and ongoing support Buttercrane benefits from locally.”
Activity was very good at the start of the St Stephen's Day sales from 11am on Tuesday with many traders reporting they were very happy with how the stores performed in the run up to Christmas.
Peter added: “I am delighted with the tremendous trade achieved by Buttercrane Centre.
“The centre has enjoyed significant investment and attracted a number of new brands this year which has added to our appeal and increased our offering significantly."
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World-leading fit-out specialist MJM Group who are headquartered in Newry have signed a historic, multi-million pound contract with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and operator Azamara Club Cruises® which will see the company carry out a full refit of the ship.
This will see MJM Group create history by bringing one of the first major refits of a cruise liner in a UK dry dock. MJM Group, which specialises in high end marine fit outs will bring the luxury cruise company’s newest ship to Belfast, to manage and complete a full refit. The announcement is an unprecedented, potential game changer both for MJM Group and the global cruise ship industry, as it represents the first time a cruise ship owner has awarded complete project management responsibility to an individual organisation.
MJM Group will project manage the docking, berthing and refit of the Azamara Pursuit in Belfast, testament to the company’s rapid growth over the past decade, and creating a momentous opportunity for MJM Group to put Northern Ireland, and the UK’s marine industry on the global map.
“MJM Group is delighted to have been awarded the refit contract for Azamara Pursuit in what is a milestone opportunity for our business, and indeed for the marine industry in the UK,” commented Gary Annett, Chief Executive Officer of MJM Group. “The success of this project has the potential to be a game-changer for the UK maritime industry. By securing this multi-million pound contract we are putting Northern Ireland, and the UK’s marine industry in a strong position to compete for future drydock and refit works.”
There are currently 335 ocean going ships which dry-dock on average every two and a half years. It is estimated that the cruise ship industry spends $3bn on dry-docking and ships refurbishments annually with the majority of the works carried out in shipyards in the Caribbean, Europe, USA, Canada and Asia.
Mr Annett said it was important to MJM Group to bring the historic refit project to Belfast: “This contract gave us the opportunity we had been waiting for, which is to bring a major refit to a UK port for the first time in many years. MJM Group has an exceptional track record of delivering world class cruise liner refits for the world’s top operators in docks across the world but we have always had the ambition to revive the rich shipbuilding industry history right here in Northern Ireland. We looked at many other facilities globally but we worked hard to put together a case for Northern Ireland. To secure the Azamara project we had to demonstrate that we had the ability to provide complete project management, outfitting, berthing and ship yard services. With Harland & Wolff on our doorstep and our experience in the industry we were able to do this. This truly is a historic day for this industry in Northern Ireland, for MJM Group and indeed our customers.”
Jonathan Guest, Director of Business Development and Improvement at Harland & Wolff said, “We are delighted that MJM Group is bringing this fantastic project to Belfast and to our shipyard. We have global brand recognition as a historic leader in the shipbuilding industry and we know that there is so much potential to revive this industry in Northern Ireland. We look forward to supporting MJM Group on this project and hopefully other refits in the future.”
Azamara Pursuit will be the third ship in the Azamara Club Cruise® fleet joining Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey to offer passengers the opportunity to travel in luxurious surrounding and visit unique ports that larger ships are unable to reach. Together, the three ships will support the brand’s commitment to enrich destination immersion around the world, by staying longer in port to allow guests to experience more.
Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises® travelled to London to announce the plans for Azamara Pursuit. “This is a wonderful occasion for Azamara Club Cruises®. This is the first time any company within Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has used a UK shipyard for refit works of this scale. We are delighted to come to Northern Ireland with Azamara Pursuit. It will be a truly magnificent sight to see our ship beneath the historic Harland & Wolff cranes which are so synonymous with Belfast’s proud maritime history and we thank MJM Group for helping us make this happen. Additionally, Azamara Pursuit will make her maiden voyage from Southampton which will be another momentous occasion for us. With the refit in Belfast and her maiden voyage from Southampton, we are showing our commitment to the UK market place.”
Azamara Pursuit will arrive in Belfast in April for work to commence and will make her maiden voyage from Southampton in August 2018.
Multi-Million Pound Contract welcomed
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew welcomed the announcement saying “The signing of this contract is a huge breakthrough opportunity for MJM Group, and indeed for the economic development and marine industry in the Newry, Mourne and Down area. I am absolutely delighted to receive the news today and I believe that this project has the potential to be an catalyst for change in our maritime industry. By securing a multi-million pound contract in our district, this will firmly and explicitly place this Newry-based company in a strong competitive position for future works to refurbish and or build new cruise ship projects in the future.”
MJM Group has an outstanding record of delivering world class marine projects and to succeed in bringing a new project to the island of Ireland will undoubtedly secure employment opportunities for the local people of our area and across the north of Ireland.
Councillor Mulgrew added, “I am keen to see the project get underway as quickly as possible and will provide every support that I can to ensure this happens. I look forward to the commencement of this project and hopefully more significant contracts in the future.”
Sinn Féin Economy Spokesperson and Newry Armagh MLA, Conor Murphy, has commended MJM on securing the historic contract."With this recent success MJM have made a statement about the calibre and quality of local industry in the Newry Armagh area.
"The contract secured by MJM is the first of its kind for a Newry-based firm, and rightfully puts a global spotlight on the contribution of local employers to our island economy.
"I am happy to take this opportunity to congratulate MJM on their successes, for their contribution to our local economy, and wish them all the best in the future."
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With 2018 underway Garry Best, Managing Director of Best Property Services and head of the land division, reflects on the market in the past 12 months and looks at what to expect for 2018.
“Top line data from one of NI’s largest land sales agents, shows there was a 20% drop in acreage of land sold in 2017 compared with 2016, with the sales value of the land rising by an average of 8% to £14k /acre (£13k during 2016). Good quality land value shows a rise of 11% per acre while poorer quality land value has dropped in value by 14% on 2016.
These figures highlight the attitude from buyers intending to farm the land taking the view that the inputs are too costly to be applying to average to poor quality land,” Garry Best of Best Property Services explains.
Throughout the year we experienced growing demand for larger farm acreage from both active farmers and investor purchasers, seeking IHT relief.”
Two notable sales in the final quarter of 2017 included a Victorian Mansion with lands in Armagh and a Grade B Listed House in Co Down which fetched in excess of £3 million.
Dartan Hall (Co Armagh) an impressive Victorian Mansion, near Tyan in County Armagh is set on 115 Acres and sold in November 2017 for £1.73M, following strong bidding from four potential buyers.
While in County Down, Rostrevor House set on 29 Acres on the edge of the village, was offered for sale at a Guide Price of £1.6m and included a Grade B Listed Residence (15,000sqft) within mature parkland.
The property has strong historical connections with USA and whilst there was American interest, a sale was negotiated in November to a local buyer who intends to restore the residence for private use.
Looking towards the smaller category of land holdings, two notable land sales during the year saw a per acre value achieved of £16k (for a 14.5 acres site in Hilltown area) and £16,250k (for a 8.5 acres outside Newry).
Farm land opportunities coming onto the market early in 2018 include a 120 Acre farm at Lisnalee, 4 miles north west of Newry; 80 Acres in the Loughgall area in Co Armagh & 19 Acres in the Jerrettspass area.
Rural building sites have improved over the past 12 months from an average of £45,000 in 2016 to an average of £60,000 in 2017, although predominantly being acquired by eventual owner/occupiers as opposed to builders.
Meanwhile, development land opportunities continue to remain in short supply.
Early in 2017, 3 Acres with planning consent in the Jonesborough area sold for just over £200,000/Acre.
While at the end of 2017, a prime site in one of Newry’s most popular residential areas, with planning consent for 14 units sold for just over £45,000/Unit – reflecting the short supply of this type of land.
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are hosting a Cross Border Conference to help prepare businesses for the impact of Brexit, on Wednesday 7 February at the Carrickdale Hotel, Carrickarnan. The conference will be attended by Tánaiste Simon Coveney.
Chairperson of the Enterprise,Regeneration and Tourism Committee Pete Byrne has said that the conference will be aimed at preparing businesses for the impact of Brexit focusing on the A1-M1 corridor.
Byrne said, ‘Since Brexit became a reality in June 2016, our Council has been proactive in helping to prepare this region for the impact of the referendum result. Last year we joined 11 Council Areas that lie along the border to deliver a collaborative document ‘Brexit and the Border Corridor’ to the heart of Europe. It highlighted the risks, opportunities and issues we need to consider following Brexit and specifically went into detail on how businesses would be impacted. This conference is aimed at preparing businesses particularly those along the A1-M1 corridor for what lies ahead.’
‘According to the largest survey of businesses across the island, InterTradeIreland’s Business Monitor, less than 1 in 20 firms have made any plans to deal with Brexit. Evidence shows that the impact of Brexit will fall disproportionately on the Border Region and within that on a number of sectors such as SMEs which are predominant along the Border corridor. That is why it’s important that businesses are able to prepare for Brexit, including getting advice on tariffs and new customs arrangements if these come into place.’
‘This conference is another collaborative effort between Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Louth County Council working in association with InterTradeIreland, Local Enterprise Office and the Newry and Dundalk Chambers.
A full agenda for the conference is currently being devised and finalised between all partner organisations and further information will be announced in due course. To register your interest in attending visit www.eventbrite.co.uk
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Several businesses in Newry including Norbrook and MJM are already trading with China and officials from Newry, Mourne and Down Council are exploring other opportunities to trade with the country.
Over 100 Chinese provincial and municipal leaders were in Belfast in December at the UK-China Regional Leaders Summit. The summit showcased the strength of business and innovation in Northern Ireland and provided a springboard to explore growth in China. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council representatives met with the Director General of the Changchun Municipal People’s Government and their European Division Director during the summit.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor, Roisin Mulgrew said, “The Friendship Agreement with the Changchun Region is further development of the Council’s objective to attract investment, support the creation of new jobs and will enhance the friendship between the two regions.
The Newry, Mourne and Down region is an outward looking hub of entrepreneurial innovation, demonstrated by recent announcements from local companies who are already trading on the global market. We look forward to working with all our partners to explore the opportunities the Friendship Agreement with the Changchun region presents.”
The Chinese economy continues to open up to western business with the advanced manufacturing, technology, digital sectors and agri food sectors, in particular, presenting trade opportunities for Northern Ireland. By invitation of Liu Changlong, Mayor of Chagchun a delegation from the Council area will visit Changchun in 2018.
Newry, Mourne and Down local businesses have been trading with China in recent years with the most recent announcement from MJM a Newry based company. MJM commenced work on 8 January 2018 on the Star Pisces, Cruise Ship, dry-docked in Shenzhen for a nineteen-day refit. The fourteen week contract included the manufacturing of various components in MJM’s factory in Newry which were then dispatched in containers to join the vessel for the refit to be completed by a team of over 85 MJM Group skilled workers.
The depreciation of sterling against the US dollar has made Northern Ireland exports ever more attractive, making now a good time to explore the opportunities of China and Hong Kong.
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Newry businessman, William Hogg the 4th has launched a new business ServiceMaster Clean in South Belfast.
Born and bred in Newry, William Hogg chose to invest in the company, a franchise of ServiceMaster, to build a business for his family and provide much-needed reactive cleaning services to clients. ServiceMaster Clean launched in the UK in 1959 and utilises the latest stain removal and drying technology to provide its customers with an industry-leading service.
The company also provides emergency services for removing needles and dangerous items from public spaces, cleaning up after fly tipping and works closely with many of the major insurance companies. Head of restoration services for ServiceMaster Angus Dodds is looking forward to seeing Mr Hogg's business grow and develop in the coming years.
With over 25 years’ experience working for his family’s flooring and furniture business, Hoggs Furniture Centre in Newry, William Hogg, owner said: “I’ve been searching for a business to invest in that I had some experience of and could see a future in for my family. ServiceMaster Clean is a big name in the restoration sector and I’m excited about getting out on the road in the iconic yellow van and working closely with customers who need our help.
“Property damage incidents can be a distressing time for property owners but our devotion to personal service will ensure that we care for each and every client as if it were our own property.”
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MJM Group at Carnbane in Newry have raised £21,500 for Southern Area Hospice. It follows a year of dedicated fundraising by the company.
Commenting on the fantastic achievement Fiona Stephens, Southern Area Hospice said “We are delighted to receive this amazing sum of money. MJM Group staff really embraced fundraising activities by organising events such as a Lip Sync Battle in Bellini’s, Lap of the Lough Cycle, a Zipline across the Lagan, raffles, coffee mornings etc. It is a tremendous effort and is a great example of what businesses can do when they focus on charitable fund-raising.”
Through the fund-raising efforts MJM Group employees raised £10,750 which the company generously matched to bring the total to £21,500.
Gary Annett, CEO, MJM Group was on hand to present the cheque and spoke of how the hospice is regarded very highly by company staff “The Southern Area Hospice is a charity very close the hearts of many of our employees. Our Social Committee set themselves an ambitious target which they more than exceeded and as a company we were only too pleased to match their efforts and present £21,500 to the Hospice.”
The MJM Group Social Committee was made up of staff from across the group including Eimhear Goodwin, Damian Kearney, Nina Duffy, Elizabeth O'Connor, Emma Keenan, Conor Jordan, Aine Goss and Nadine O’Hare.
If your workplace would like to become a charity Partner of the hospice in 2018 you can contact Fiona Stephens on 028 3025 1333
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