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Urgent clarity is needed from the Treasury in relation to the Job Retention Scheme for employers announced in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis. That's according to Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty who has called on the Minister for Finance and the Executive to engage directly with the Chancellor as businesses can't wait.
Mr McNulty said, ‘The Job Retention Scheme is a vital scheme for both employers and employees alike. When it was announced, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It gave employees an assurance that if they were laid off by their employer on temporary basis they would get 80% of their wages and there would be a job to return to. Equally for the employer, it meant that should they be forced to close that they had security in the knowledge that HMRC would cover their wage bill until the business re-opened.’
‘However that relief has turned to frustration and anger. There has been little or no new information since the scheme was announced. Some businesses have seen their trade fall off a cliff edge and many others have been told to shut their doors. They have been promised the scheme is coming and a portal or system is being set up to distribute funds but nothing has happened.’
‘Businesses who have been forced to close are screaming out for help. They need assurances as soon as possible. They have wages to pay this week and next. If the scheme isn’t going to be operational for the next few weeks and it’s going to be the end of April before payments are made there will be a lot of businesses, large and small, in a very precarious position.’
‘We need the Executive, the First and deputy First Ministers along with the Minister for Finance to engage directly with the Chancellor and the Prime Minister. Businesses cannot wait. They must explore all options, including working with Banks to provide urgent finance, underwritten by the Treasury to allow businesses to meet their payroll this week and this month. Failure to act urgently will see businesses suffer and potentially close down with little prospect of reopening.’
Newry BID have also been lobbying for support schemes for their members. Regular updates will continue to be issued, and members will be informed on proposed government strategies to help businesses through the current Covid-19 crisis.
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has insisted that the disruption caused by the Coronavirus makes it more important than ever to provide support to the local business community. The business support initiatives provided by the Council will continue, with technology being used to ensure that all elements of the programmes are delivered safely and in line with Public Health Agency advice.
Currently the Council is taking registrations for the NMD Business Growth Programme which is open to any business in the Council area and involves a tailored programme of one-to-one mentoring, networking and targeted workshop events. The project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014 -2020) programme.
Council Chairman Councillor Charlie Casey says the Council is fully aware of the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the local economy.
“The coronavirus crisis is of course a major health issue but it is also having a devastating economic impact with almost every business impacted to some extent. While the Executive is putting in place some support measures including financial assistance, we believe it is vital that the Council’s own support programmes continue as well. So we will continue to deliver the Business Growth Programme and we can do so safely while protecting the health of our own team and the businesses taking part.
“That means that workshops will be done remotely, using the latest video conferencing platforms. One-to-one mentoring will be done using FaceTime or via good old fashioned phone calls and direct personal contact will be dispensed with for the foreseeable future.
“We also have the flexibility built into our programmes which allow us to focus on how SMEs can adapt by moving their offering online, facilitating home working for staff and by employing technology.
“It is important that as a Council we stand behind our local business community. The NMD Business Growth Programme is still accepting new registrations and as businesses look for support in order to survive and thrive, I would encourage them to register on the NMD Business Growth Programme.”
Businesses can register for business support via the programme by the website HTTP://NMDBUSINESS.ORG/GROWING-YOUR-BUSINESS/
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Four Star Pizza in Monaghan Street, Newry is just one of the local fast food businesses that has announced its temporarily closure with immediate effect in line with Government guidelines in the fight against the Coronavirus. It follows similar moves by other nationwide companies including McDonalds and Burger King.
“These are unprecedented and extremely difficult times on a global level, and we all need to pull together to help combat COVID-19 and ease the pressure on our brave medical staff,” said Darren Colgan, proprietor of the Monaghan Street store.
“Monday night’s announcement by the UK Government highlighted the urgent need for people to stay at home for the benefit of all, and with this in mind, we feel that it is in the best interest of both our staff and our loyal customers to temporarily close our doors until further notice.
“This decision was not taken lightly but it has become increasingly difficult for staff in our busy kitchen to observe safe social distancing while at the same time maintaining the high levels of service that our customers expect,” he added.
“We would like to thank all of our staff who have worked tirelessly and made such a huge effort over the past number of weeks to ensure that our service to customers did not suffer. We also thank our loyal customers for their continued support and we hope that everyone understands our decision.
“Rest assured we will be monitoring developments very closely and will re-open as soon as it is appropriate to do so. In the meantime, we would urge everyone to stay safe and, most importantly, to stay at home to make sure that our heroes in the health service are able to carry out their jobs as best they can to save and protect us all,” concluded Mr Colgan.
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A charitable start-up which lets users give directly to an individual living in poverty is making its platform available free of charge for any charitable organisation across the UK.
Founded by Rostrevor’s Carol Rossborough and Newry’s Ailís McCaul, the entrepreneurs have made their platform free for charities from this week. The platform can be up and running within a day and will make a positive impact on local communities as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads.
Launched earlier this year, ESTHER is a ‘pocket-to-pocket’ giving app that ensures 100% of any money someone wishes to donate goes directly to a local individual.
Carol Rossborough, Chief Executive, says the team wanted their technology to be used in order to get donations to people in crisis quickly and safely.
“At a time of local and global emergency, it’s important that we are able to get money into the hands of those in crisis as fast as possible.
“The ESTHER app will help empower families in crisis in a remote manner. It’s a safe way of giving donations.
“Any donations received through the app limits spend on anything that could potentially be harmful to the end user, such as alcohol, gambling or cash withdrawals.
"Initially we didn’t allow them, but we’re now facilitating online purchases as a result of seeing increased numbers of people self-isolating as a result of COVID-19,” she said.
Those in need receive donations on their own ESTHER card. Enabled by MasterCard, it works just like a debit card, with all donations being completely traceable, ensuring visibility on what money the donor has pledged. It’s contactless too, factoring in current best practice for payment of goods in-store.
Explaining why they are opening the platform up for free, Mrs Rossborough said “The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting groups and communities that previously wouldn’t have been affected in a traditional sense. As well as the homeless and asylum seekers, some freelancers and the self-employed have quickly found themselves in difficulty.”
She says that charities are seeing an increasing number of people looking to them for crisis funding “Charities are facing major problems. An increased amount of people requesting support puts additional strain on their finite resources and, considering the new guidance around self-distancing, self-isolation and building closures, this means people are unable to access typical venues such as drop-in centres or breakfast clubs.
With that in mind, we thought, ‘How can we open ESTHER up to as many people as possible?’ That’s why we’re making it available to charities, churches and other registered community groups as they may have first-hand knowledge of those who are in most need.”
Ailís McCaul, the firm’s Chief Product Officer, outlined some of the platform’s programmes “Our ‘Empowering Mothers’ programme is targeted at single mums under 35. We’re helping those women who have recently lost their jobs, meaning they may no longer have an income to support themselves and their children, as well as those who have been affected by school closures.
“The issues facing those on our ‘Homeless’ programme are of a different nature. These are vulnerable people, who don’t receive any form of government funding, and may not even have access to basic hygiene facilities. They don’t have money for any food yet alone hand sanitiser or toilet roll.
“The donations these people have directly received through ESTHER have been of genuine relief to them,” she said.
As well as being able to donate directly through the ESTHER app, she says that any charitable organisation can run their own peer-to-peer giving programmes via the platform.
The duo has been speaking to a number of foodbanks who, as a result of recent panic buying, have seen a sharp reduction in the amount of donations received.
Ms McCaul said “One such foodbank would typically get 11 eleven trays on a weekly basis. They received five items last week. There is a fear that this week will be even lower. This is another example of how ESTHER could be used to help the local community.
“We want to bridge the rapidly growing divide between those in crisis and those not.”
To learn more about ESTHER, visit WWW.ESTHER.ORG.UK or contact hello@esther.org.uk
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Newry Whiskey has hit the world stage scooping a number of Gold awards, just a few short weeks after it returned to the city after an absence of over 100 years.
The Matt D’Arcy 17-yr-old single malt has been awarded "Best Irish Whiskey" and "Best Single Malt Irish Whiskey" awards at the internationally-acclaimed San Francisco's World Spirits Competition.
Ireland’s newest whiskey brand, Matt D’Arcy & Co Limited picked up multiple awards this week at San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). The brand’s super-premium 17-yr-old single malt won Best Irish Whiskey and Best Irish Single Malt having just launched to market earlier this month.
Among the other awards for the Newry-based whiskey company was a Double Gold medal for its super-premium 17-year-old single malt, which is only awarded when all judges unanimously deem a product to be of gold-medal standard. Products to achieve this are considered amongst the finest in the world.
The company was also awarded Gold in the Blended Irish Whiskey category for its 10-year-old port-finished blend - a whiskey that is rich on the palate with plenty of dried fruit sweetness and a touch of oak.
International Acclaim
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is considered one of the most influential spirits competitions in the world. This year saw a record-breaking 3,000 entries from around the world.
Throughout four days of highly controlled blind tastings, the judging panels taste every product to decide if it is medal worthy. Judges do not receive any information on producer or price point, ensuring each spirit is judged fairly, equally, and without bias.
The return of Matt D’Arcy
>While Matt D’Arcy was a prominent name in whiskey making in the 1800s and 1900s, production stopped at the Newry distillery more than 100 years ago. It has since been revived by historian and founder Michael McKeown and the company launched to market earlier this month.
Despite launching in the midst of a global crisis, Andrew Cowan, CEO of Matt D’Arcy & Co. Limited has reported strong early sales.
“Currently our whiskies are available exclusively at the Celtic Whiskey Shop (CELTICWHISKEY.COM). Our first delivery sold out within days, and winning gold and double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition will really help us in reaching the US market, which is so important for Irish whiskey sales,” said Andrew Cowan.
“To be recognised for an award so soon after launch is an incredible achievement for all of our team but more importantly, is a testament to the quality and taste of our whiskey. To say we are over the moon would be an understatement.”
Quality, taste and passion at the heart of Matt D’Arcy
Andrew Cowan has worked in the drinks industry for many years and is a direct descendant of the Cowan family of Edwardian Whiskey Bonders. His grandfather, and his father before him, were wine and spirit merchants who bonded and blended their own whiskies and ran a number of bars in Armagh city. Andrew is chair of the Irish Whiskey Association Tourism Subcommittee and in addition to looking after the operational side of Matt D’Arcy, he was involved personally at every stage of the development and production of the whiskey.
“I was really focused on finishing and maturation and rejected many casks before finding the perfect rum flavour profile to enhance our 17-year-old blend,” said Andrew Cowan.
“For our 10-year-old I worked extensively on all blending and finishing with taste and mouth feel being the key priorities for me. I’ve a real passion for what we are doing at Matt D’Arcy and that means getting involved with every aspect of the business.”
Like the 10-year-old whiskey, some might say CEO, Andrew Cowan, and Business Owner, Michael McKeown, are a perfect blend of knowledge for a business such as Matt D’Arcys.
Former president of the Newry Chamber of Commerce, Michael started out working at the family business Reihill-McKeown, a bottler and drinks business, which was later sold to Irish drinks giant C&C.
A local historian, Michael’s interest in the old whiskey distilleries in and around Newry fuelled his passion to revive one of the greatest. “What started out as a history project has now become a huge business undertaking, which will put Newry back on the map in terms of whiskey distilling. We are passionate about what we are doing and it’s great to see that our whiskey, which was world-renowned more than 100 years ago, starting to gain back its world-reputation with three internationally-acclaimed awards just as it returns to the market,” said Michael McKeown.
The Northern Irish whiskey brand is planning to release further batches later in the year is currently available to purchase exclusively at www.celticwhiskeyshop.com
Tasting Notes
Matt D’Arcy 17-year-old single malt
Matt D’Arcy’s super-premium whiskey is a 17-year-old single malt limited-edition of only 384 numbered bottles. Prior to hand bottling, the liquid has spent twelve months finishing in a rum cask: a reference to the Barbadian rum barrels that once arrived in the merchant city of Newry via its famous canal. That same canal provided a reverse gateway to Matt D’Arcy Whiskey achieving its world class reputation in the 19th Century.
This exceptional whiskey is bottled in handblown Italian crystal glass: each one unique in shape. The equally unique spirit has a distinctive light spiciness with subtle notes of honey, vanilla, apple sweetness, almonds, cinnamon and plum providing a warm, rewarding after-taste.
Tasting notes (without water)
• Aromas: Experience silky-smooth layers of vanilla sweetness, honey, peppers and spices that tail-off into a warm, rewarding after-taste.
• Palate: light spiciness with subtle notes of honey, vanilla, apple sweetness, almonds, cinnamon and plum.
• 46% alcohol
• The limited-edition gift box (70cl) retails at €375
Matt D’Arcy 10-year-old blend
Matt D’Arcy’s other release is a 10-year old grain whiskey blended with 17-year old single malt finished in port casks. It is rich on the palate with plenty of dried fruit sweetness with just a touch of oak.
Tasting notes (without water)
• Aromas: Experience citrus and fruity layers of conserve sweetness and spice
• Palate: Rich, sweet dried fruit spiciness with notes of barley sugar, malt and a touch of oak
• 46% alcohol
• Gift box edition (70cl) is currently available at €109
Follow their progress at www.mattdarcys.com
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Following recent speculation that some councils have stopped or may stop their household recycling collections, along with closing recycling centres, NI manufacturers who rely on recycling streams from household waste, are urging local authorities to maintain their recycling collections.
Despite the outbreak of the coronavirus, it is critical that supply chains are kept open, as vital packaging material is required to protect food and medical supplies.
Joseph Doherty, Managing Director of Newry's Re-Gen Waste, which handles mixed dry recycling for councils across GB and the Republic of Ireland said: “We know it’s not easy for councils at the moment and we have the utmost respect for their key staff, who are emptying our bins whilst trying to keep themselves safe.
“However, we have to keep recyclates moving, or we will not be able to supply essential manufacturers with the packaging materials they require. Many of these manufacturers have increased production to ensure they are providing basic but essential products such as toilet rolls, tissues, cereal boxes, medicine bottles, egg cartons, milk and soft drinks bottles.
“If waste streams are stopped, there will not be enough material in the system to continue production in many of the businesses, that people rely on for day to day life, he said.”
Lurgan based company, Huhtamaki, is the only manufacturer of egg cartons and trays in the UK and Ireland, and its products ensure a smooth flow of eggs from farm to packer and onward from the retailer to consumer.
Richard Smith, General Manager of Huhtamaki said; “Eggs are regarded as a key food item in times of crisis as they are a cheap, convenient source of protein. Failure to supply egg packaging would have a major impact on the egg industry in the UK and Ireland.
“Huhtamaki relies on a steady flow of raw materials to manufacture our egg cartons, and the recycled paper arising from the council waste streams, is a critical element of this raw material mix.
“While we can normally source other forms of wastepaper in times of shortages, with inaccessible global supply chains, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible to do so in the current situation.”
A shortage of paper could put the ability of the factory to operate, at risk, with consequent knock-on impacts for the egg farmers, egg packers and consumers in Northern Ireland, as well as across Great Britain and Ireland.
Mr Doherty continued; “On a more sombre note, unsound management of household waste collections could have a knock-on effect on human health and the environment.
“Everyone across our society is coming together to meet this challenge and beat the coronavirus. I urge decision-makers at every level to regard waste management as an urgent essential public service and give it the attention it rightly deserves.”
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Like most other businesses caught up in the Covid-19 crisis, local Social Enterprise, Made in Mourne have had to adapt to current circumstances and as a result they are fast tracking their online presence, with the addition of many new products each day which has resulted in a 35% increase in online sales.
Made in Mourne was founded with the ambition to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in Mourne and the surrounding areas and it supports businesses including Jewellery manufacturer, Loving Spoonful; Jacqueline Rooney Fine Art; Bearded Candle Makers; Artist, Rodney Howes and many other local creatives.
While their premises are closed for walk-in you can now purchase many of their products online via their website at MADEINMOURNE.COM
Made in Mourne have already seen an increase of 35% in sales across the online shop in comparison to this time last year, making it clear that demand online is increasing as consumer behaviour is changing.
As Co-founder Jenna Stevenson says "Each and every day, we will add more of our beautiful handmade gifts and delicious food produce to our virtual platform, in a bid to continue to support our makers and serve our community in a safe and responsible way during these difficult times.
"Our website is an absolute lifeline and will help us continue to support over 70 talented makers whilst serve the community in a safe and responsible way during these difficult times."
They offer free delivery to customers living within a 5 mile radius of their shop. For those living further afield a small delivery fee will be added to your order.
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A County Down author has launched a step by step guide to finding employment which works for you.
Atticall man, Thomas Doran decided to bring the book launch forward in the hope of reducing stress and anxiety for final year university students and recent graduates currently stuck in isolation due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
The book is called Graduates What You Need To Know - The Guide To Accelerated Career Progression. It can be read in less than 2 hours and is a step by step guide to finding employment which most importantly works for the individual. The book is specifically designed for those seeking employment in the UK & Ireland.
Having spent over 6 years specialising in compliance, growing from the role of officer to taking over as the European Market Compliance Manager at a global trading company, (aged 25) Thomas Doran decided it was time to share his 'top tips and biggest blunders'.
Holding a Law Degree from Queens' University Belfast (LLB), an Investment management certificate (IMC,CFA) and being the Top Performing Graduate in Ireland in two diplomas in Professional Marketing (CIM, 2018) he knows a thing or two about working full-time and studying, taking an indirect career path and building a professional brand image.
Thomas was previously the Chairman for the Futures Industry Association(FIA) for Fin-tech and Cryptocurrency and was a member of the Agricultural Committee for Europe.
As Thomas explains "I have received endorsement from senior business executives, business federations and even a governor of one of the worlds largest youth organisations. I am currently working with the leading mental health charity in all of Ireland to get the book rolled out to as many graduates as possible."
Graduates What You Need To Know is written by a non-patronising early career professional who has ‘been there’ and is willing to share his top tips and biggest blunders to aid your career acceleration.
The guide can be read in less than 2 hours and has been carefully crafted to remove post graduation anxiety from any young person who has completed their degree and is wondering, what's next?
The e- book is available for download on Amazon at WWW.AMAZON.CO.UK/GRADUATES-WHAT-YOU-NEED-KNOW
Paperbacks are available to preorder at www.graduateswhatyouneedtoknow.com
"Practical, Realistic, Insightful! A MUST Read for Graduates and Young Professionals in 2020″ Brendan Kearney (4O Years in Business) Co-Chair FSB NI
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has called on local businesses who are concerned about their future to take action now and join the new '100 Day Consolidation Programme’.
Delivered as part of the NMD Business Growth programme, this initiative aims to tackle working capital issues and offer advice on how to prepare for fluctuating financials and uncertainty. The project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014 -2020) programme.
Participants will have access to workshops which focus on projection models and engaging with key stakeholders, as well as bespoke one-to-one mentoring tailored for your business, from highly experienced consultants. On completion, each business will have a clearer picture of their own current working capital and projections on how this may fluctuate over the next three critical months. The programme will also identify possible key steps to manage cash flow over the next 100 days
Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey, explains how the Council is trying to support businesses and the local economy during the severe disruption caused by the Coronavirus crisis.
“Local businesses are the backbone of our District. It is important that we help them develop as clear a picture as possible of what the immediate future might look like for them, so they can address and navigate any challenges that may arise.
“As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to escalate, the NMD Business Growth programmes have been developed with the current issues in mind and have been adjusted so they provide relevant support to those who need it.
“It’s normal that people may want to turn away from impending threats to their business, but it is important to confront it now and to prepare yourself to do something about it early. Our experienced support team are here to help you do just that, so I would urge anyone who feels they could benefit from this strategic business advice to sign up.”
All NMD Business Growth Programmes are continuing as normal and are currently being delivered remotely and online, ensuring businesses can access and complete programmes safely under Public Health Agency guidelines. The programmes are open to any business in the Council area with less than 50 employees, and involves a tailored programme of one-to-one mentoring and targeted workshops
To register for the 100 Day Consolidation Programme, contact Sandy at Full Circle at sandy@fullcircle.eu.com or on 028 9069 1027. The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday, April 17 at 12pm.
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