Write a comment
Following funding from the Stormont Executive, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has launched a ‘COVID-19 Recovery Revitalisation Plan’ to deliver financial support for a range of businesses across the district’s urban and rural settlements.
The announcement of the scheme follows the ministerial approval of funding for town and city centres to tackle the economic impact of COVID-19. £433,000 of funding for the ‘COVID-19 Recovery Revitalisation Plan’ will come from the Department for Communities (DfC) and a further £157,000 will be awarded from the Department for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
The Revitalisation Plan is to be rolled out in two phases, with Tranche One seeking to deliver shop front enhancements, create space to facilitate social distancing, develop outdoor artisan markets and undertake town centre promotional campaigns under the ‘Shop Frontage Revitalisation Scheme’. Tranche Two will involve approval of an additional delivery action plan following a stakeholder engagement process and will seek to address issues in relation to dereliction, signage improvement as well as enhancing and cleaning existing town centres where required.
In welcoming the funding, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Devlin said, “We are delighted by the announcement of much needed funding from DfC and DAERA for our district. Our businesses have suffered greatly over the last five months and the allocation of the funding through the ‘COVID-19 Recovery Revitalisation Plan’ provides an opportunity to try and offer some much-needed support, both directly to traders and to make our retail public spaces a safer environment.”
The Plan will begin with an Expression of Interest (EOI) process on the proposed ‘Shop Frontage Scheme’. If you need assistance to enhance your premises and make it COVID-19 safe, EOI forms and further information are currently available from WWW.NEWRYMOURNEDOWN.ORG Completed forms must be submitted by the deadline at 12noon on Friday 28 August.
Write a comment
Newry company Re-Gen Waste had a visit to their materials recovery facility this week from Minister of Finance, Conor Murphy.
During the visit to their Newry premises Minister Murphy heard about their significant investments over the last six months, dealing with Covid19, Brexit issues and innovation projects leading to diversification into new areas of activity.
The company operates at a 300,000 tonnes-a-year capacity and Mr Murphy was shown how Re-Gen processes household waste using its hi-tech equipment and presently is developing industry leading Energy from Waste technologies.
The Minister also learned how Re-Gen Waste, as a designated essential business, was a vital cog during the Covid19 lockdown, ensuring that Councils’ waste continued to flow and where it expanded operations to support new councils, who came under pressure to process waste during the crisis.
Meeting with the company's Managing Director Joseph Doherty, Mr Murphy discussed the Northern Irish Protocol and the relationship between NI the UK and ROI after Brexit, immigration issues and future development opportunities for the company, to support the circular economy.
Mr Murphy said: “Waste management is a vital service and I was delighted to visit Re-Gen to see their sorting processes first-hand and hear how they’ve adapted their working practices throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was great to hear about their exciting plans for growth in the Newry area which will help support the local economy and provide jobs in the difficult times ahead.”
Joseph Doherty added: “We appreciate the Minister’s support of our business and the progressive nature of our operations. It was great to be able to welcome him to site and bring to life the genuine impact we are delivering to the economy, through our business operations.
“We recognise that the successes we have achieved so far, have been largely due to our exceptionally hard working and diligent staff, who demonstrate every day that they care about getting things right.”
Re-Gen Waste has delivered rapid growth in recent years, investing £9 million in its operations and doubling turnover in the last three years alone.
Write a comment
An expected review tonight of Newry, Mourne and Down Council's proposed capital spend has been welcomed by Newry Business Improvement District.
The organisation would like to see tonights review lead to a public consultation on what Newry really needs, with their priorities being the proposed public park at the Albert Basin and a solution for parking in the city.
Newry SDLP grouping had called for a spending review to be discussed and that is expected to take place at tonights Strategy Policy and Resources Committee meeting, which will be conducted via Skype.
Eamonn Connolly, Managing Director of Newry BID said “Newry BID welcome Councils forthcoming review of its proposed capital spend in light of Covid-19. We would hope and expect that this review will include a public consultation on what Newry needs. Covid has changed the way we live and work and Newry has to adapt to that change."
Mr Connolly said any proposed investment should be impactful "Newry business wants to see investment, including City Deal funding, but the proposed investment has to be what Newry needs, it has to be impactful and it has to be affordable."
Citing the proposed public park at the Albert Basin as a priority and looking forward to the reshaping of Newry City he added "The park is a priority in a post Covid world as is a solution for parking. There are plenty of under-utilised properties and sites that could be regenerated or developed and we look forward to a future where Newry is reshaped with a best in class park, enhanced parking, a re-developed Arts Centre, a Civic Centre and the transformation of vacant properties in to residential living.”
Write a comment
MLA Liz Kimmins has welcomed the announcement of a £7m funding package from Finance Minister Conor Murphy to support social enterprises.
Announcing a total of £123M of allocated spending yesterday, Finance Minister Conor Murphy said: “The Executive is providing over £47 million to enable schools and further education facilities to safely reopen. This will allow children and young people to return to education in a safe environment while at the same time enabling parents to return to work.
“Recognising the need to ensure young people are provided with the opportunity to gain skills and employment, the Executive is providing over £17 million for apprenticeships.
“£7 million is being provided for social enterprises, many of which employ vulnerable people, with a further £2.5 million towards safely reopening the voluntary and social enterprise sectors.
Concluding Mr Murphy said: “These allocations will help to maintain key public services, support economic recovery, and protect the vulnerable.”
Welcoming the funding for social enterprises Ms Kimmins said "Social enterprises do great work in providing both employment and services to local communities and they, like many others, have been hit by the ongoing public health emergency.
"This funding will help them meet the challenges of COVID-19 and ensure they can continue to deliver services and keep both staff and the wider public safe."
Funding Breakdown
At present it is unknown how the social enterprise funding will be distributed but further details are expected later.
Write a comment
Bella’s Boutique has recently opened its doors at 1 St Mary Street in Newry. The stylish outlet for children from newborn up to age 11 is the brainchild of lifelong friends Michelle Smith and Amy Rafferty from Newry. Just this week they have launched their new ecommerce website.
The ethos behind the shop is to celebrate every child being unique. Amy and Michelle want to help instil confidence at an early age, something they both feel passionate about. By promoting clothes that are different they believe children will develop their own sense of style and confidence in the own body shape and tastes.
The girls want to create a fun shopping experience where children as well as adults feel comfortable looking through the clothes and enjoying the space.
Michelle said, “Amy and I have been friends since childhood, neither of us were particularly confident and it does hold you back. We believe that children who are comfortable being themselves and developing their own sense of style, whatever that may be should be celebrated. There is not only one type of beautiful.
“Many of the issues that people have in later life can stem back to childhood experiences. This is why we in Bella’s Boutique are very proud to have linked up with PIPS Newry and Mourne as our charity partner. We will be selling a range of candles with scents which can have a positive impact on your mood and donating £1 from each sale to PIPS. We also hope to work with other partners to support confidence building and celebration of children and young people.”
Amy added, “I have worked in retail in Newry for more than 15 years. Last year I opened Bella’s Boutique, named after my daughter as a pop-up shop for Christmas. It was always my ambition to turn it into a full-time venture. Michelle returning from her travels and agreeing to work together gave me the confidence I needed to pursue my dream. We have had great support from the community so far and we would invite people to come in and have a look around. We have just opened a Christmas Club and we now have vouchers available. We are delighted to have just launched our website WWW.BELLASBOUTIQUENI.COM where all our gorgeous stock is available to purchase online.
You can also follow Bella’s Boutique on Facebook BellasBoutiqueNewry.ni or Instagram @Bellasboutiqueni
Write a comment
Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has said the £7m Covid Social Enterprise Fund announced at the weekend recognises the important role that Social Enterprises play both as an economic driver and a platform for social change.
Locally Newry and Mourne Co-Operative and Enterprise Agency has been providing support for Social Enterprises since 1972. Social Enterprise Newry Mourne Down (SENMD) is their most recent innovative programme of support helping individuals and groups explore new social enterprise ideas to help them find sustainable socially innovative solutions to social problems. It's delivered jointly by Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency and Down Business Centre and headed by Stephen McClelland who also welcomed the announcement saying "Great to see Social Enterprise included in this funding. Minister Conor Murphy listened with genuine interest when I met him as part of a Development Trusts NI group. However this announcement would not have happened without the long hard lobbying of Colin Jess and the team at Social Enterprise NI"
Achieving Social Benefit
A Social Enterprise a trading business that sells goods and services, whose primary objective is to achieve social and/or environmental benefit. They are different from those charities and voluntary organisations who do not have financial independence through trading income.
The Covid Social Enterprise Fund is aimed at covering losses and supporting liquidity to 30 September 2020 and building resilience for the future for social enterprises who meet the criteria.
Speaking during a visit to the Dairy Farm Social Enterprise in west Belfast the Minister said “Social Enterprises create a bridge between enterprise and social responsibility – they are key to inclusive growth and will have a full role to play in the rebuilding and reshaping of the economy post Covid. Supporting confident, outward looking, enterprising and innovative communities is a fundamental objective delivering on social and economic inclusion, employability, and anti-poverty impacts.
We all benefit from a strong social enterprise sector - organisations typified by a desire to design and deliver innovative products and services, improve opportunities for local people and develop independent and sustainable communities. This fund recognises this importance and is designed to support the Social Enterprise sector both in terms of its survival following the emergency, but also in terms of its role in wider economic and social recovery.
“A public announcement will be made shortly about funding arrangements and the application process.”
Colin Jess Director of Social Enterprise NI said: “Social Enterprise NI is delighted at the news of a fund being made available for the social enterprise sector and would like to put on record our thanks to the NI Executive on recognising the strength and value of the sector. The social enterprise sector in Northern Ireland employs almost 25,000 individuals, many furthest from the labour market and contributes £625M to the local economy.
“This support will provide much needed support to ensure these organisations continue to offer their services. Social Enterprise NI will work with Department of Communities to ensure that the funds are promoted and delivered to those in much need.”
Write a comment
Sports Direct USC new megastore has now opened in Buttercrane Centre, Newry. The impressive new 51,000 sq. ft. store houses Sports Direct, USC and GAME as well as a Belong Gaming Arena.
Michael Murray, Head of Elevation for SportsDirect.comsaid: “We are really proud to open this new retail destination in the heart of Newry. Our next-generation stores offer customers the biggest brands in sportswear, sports equipment and fashion, all under one roof. As we continue to grow throughout the UK, our ethos and commitment remains the same; we offer customers the biggest and best brands and unrivalled, great value.”
Sports Direct, boasts the very best in sport from brands including Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Asics and Puma. The unrivalled selection for men, women’s and kids will also include sections dedicated to disciplines such as running, football and outdoor.
On the ground floor, USC streetwear and fashion is located. USC, the ultimate ‘House of Brands’, will offer premium branded denim, urban fashion, accessories, footwear and beauty from all your favourite brands including Converse, Champion, Levi’s, Hilfiger Denim, Lacoste, Calvin Klein and Napapijri among others.
The store will feature the brand’s new premium design concept featuring interactive mirrors, charging points and more.
The store will also house GAME, the leading high-street video game retailer alongside a Belong Gaming Arena.The 24 seat gaming arena offers a social space for competitive gamers as well as games, consoles, accessories and more to the local community.
Peter Murray, Centre Murray at Buttercrane Centre, said: “We are very excited to welcome Sports Direct, USC, GAME & Belong Arena to the Centre, brands which we know will be very popular with our customers.This is the largest retail store to open in NI since the lifting of Lockdown. To have a major anchor store open at a time is a huge vote of confidence in the high street and in Buttercrane in particular. The addition these popular brands will further strengthen our fashion and lifestyle offering, firming up our position as one of the best provincial shopping destinations in Northern Ireland.”
Write a comment
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade, in partnership with InterTradeIreland, has organised a series of events later this month to raise business awareness of the need to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period.
Working in partnership, InterTradeIreland and the Chamber are running three webinars to help businesses understand the changes that might come into effect for their business from 1 January. The webinars will focus on the Protocol and what it means for your business; the Services Sector; and the Transport and Logistic issues.
Speaking on the need for businesses to refocus on Brexit, Emma Mullen – Marmion, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce &Trade said “Managing COVID 19 has been the focus for many businesses. With the Brexit transition period ending in a matter of months, it is important that the businesses re-engage on the Brexit issue and prepare for the changes that will happen on 1st January. The purpose of the webinars is to ensure businesses understand what the changes mean, what they need to do and where they can go for help.
“InterTradeIreland has played a vital role in supporting businesses through Brexit and the Chamber is delighted that they will be partnering with us in these webinars.”
Welcoming their involvement in the programme, Aidan Gough, IntertTradeIreland’s Designated Officer said:
“Britain’s exit from the European Union will change the basis on which trade takes place between the two blocs and between Northern Ireland and Ireland. It is vital that businesses are ready to adjust to the new arrangements as they impact on their sector so that we continue to grow cross-border trade on this island and benefit from the many opportunities that have been realised through innovative partnerships. InterTradeIreland aims to assist businesses to make this process as seamless, or least disruptive as possible through the provision of detailed information on new processes as they emerge from the negotiations.”
The first of the webinars is on Wednesday 26 August and will focus on “The NI Protocol and What it Means for Your Business.” Katy Hayward, Professor of Political Sociology, Queen’s University and Senior Fellow in the UK in a Changing Europe, will provide a precis of the Protocol and the current negotiations. The Q&A panel will include Stephen Kelly Manufacturing NI, Aodhán Connolly, NI Retail Consortium and Deirdre Maguire from InterTradeIreland.
Further information on how to register for this and the other webinars is available from admin@newrychamber.com
Write a comment
Mulkerns Eurospar Newry have been awarded four Independent Retail Awards. The awards were organised by Retail NI and the Irish News and winners were chosen following an online public vote during the month of July.
Local retailers Mulkerns, a family run business established by Paul Mulkerns in 1976 and now in the capable hands of the next generation,(Mairead, Terry and Ciaran Mulkerns), were delighted to be on the receiving end of a grand total of 4 Independent Retail Awards, taking Overall Retailer of the Year – Silver Winner; Independent Retail Team of the Year – Gold Winner; Convenience Store of the Year – Gold Winner and Community Covid-19 Champion – Bronze Winner.
Speaking at the presentation of the Awards Terry Mulkerns commented “We are humbled to have been chosen by a public vote to win these prestigious awards. It has always been intention to be here to serve our community. To be recognised by the public in such a significant way tells us we must be doing it ok.” Mairead Mulkerns added… “We accept these awards on behalf of our team of managers and staff who have worked so hard to achieve this. Thank you to everyone who voted for us!”
 |
 |
 |