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SkinHQ - "We were particularly keen to be located close to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to service both jurisdictions and consider options in both locations. After evaluating all these factors, we decided Newry was the best location for this new office.”
An international chain of skin clinics specialising in laser hair removal, CoolSculpting, fillers, Botox and skin treatments, is setting up in Newry with a 13-person multi-function team.
SkinHQ, an international franchise-based business, is planning a national expansion throughout the island of Ireland. In addition, it is expanding its services to include the launch of a new e-commerce store, launch of a SkinHQ Academy to train and retain
beauty therapists, and launch of SkinHQ branded products.
Speaking about their growth plans and reasons for investing in Northern Ireland, founder and CEO Haroon Danis, said: “We have a very ambitious growth plan for our company. We currently have 23 GB locations and are expanding this with a further 25 opening in the coming months. In addition, we have secured locations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and are looking at European locations.
“As well as widening our network of franchises, we are also adding new products and services and the new team in Newry will help ensure we deliver on these plans.
“When comparing options for the location of this centre we considered costs, staff attrition rates, government assistance, talent and cultural links. We were particularly keen to be located close to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to service both jurisdictions and consider options in both locations. After evaluating all these factors, we decided Newry was the best location for this new office.”
The new office in Newry will provide several functions. The team will be involved in building an online training platform, hosting a new e-commerce website and creating an online e-learning SkinHQ training Academy. The office will also provide a storage and distribution base for products and equipment for franchise locations. The company also plans to build a fully operational model clinic in Newry for live training.
Welcoming the company, Anne Beggs, Trade & Investment Director, Invest Northern Ireland said: “SkinHQ first contacted us in spring 2020. Since then, our team has worked with the company to understand its business needs and to demonstrate how Northern Ireland is the right location to meet these needs. Our Property Team also worked with the company to help them identify a suitable office space, and the company has now agreed on a location in Newry city centre.
“SkinHQ is seeking to recruit a cross-functional support team to service operations in NI and is specifically looking for individuals with skills in disciplines including call handling, warehousing, e-commerce and content writing. The company is offering competitive salaries and aims to have all the roles in place by 2023.
“The company is keen to recruit locally which will bring specific benefits to the Newry, Mourne & Down DC area, as well as to the wider Northern Ireland economy.”
In addition to the practical advice and support provided, Invest NI has offered the company £84,500 of support towards the creation of the new roles.
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Modern Tyres is expanding in Newry with the creation of 23 jobs as part of a £5.6 million investment to diversify its commercial products and services offering.
The company has established a new division, Modern Wheel Solutions, which will be situated at its new 81,000 sq. ft. purpose-built factory in Carnbane Business Park in Newry. This new division will differ from its core business of tyre wholesaling and retailing to focus on outsourced end-to-end services for tyre manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers.
Rory Byrne, Director of Modern Tyres, said: “By adding Modern Wheel Solutions to the Modern Tyres portfolio, we will be able to readily meet the needs of our current and future clients. By improving efficiencies, we will be able to provide them with a complete end-to-end service. Our new purpose-built manufacturing facility will allow our business to grow, and with more employees, we can capitalise on new opportunities in export markets.
“Invest NI’s support has been invaluable to us throughout the pandemic and as we move into this new area. Its support has not only helped us to secure the site for our new dedicated factory, but is also helping us to build an expert team of employees. The team will ensure that our new offering is carried out to a high standard for our clients.”
Modern Tyres Newry are on two sites Bridge Street and at Carnbane Industrial Estate. The family run company was founded in Enniskillen in 1965 and has branches nationwide.
Kevin Holland, Invest Northern Ireland’s CEO, welcomed the company’s investment: “Modern Tyres is a well-known and long-established Northern Ireland company. It is wonderful to see its continued growth and innovation journey offering a new value-added service to manufacturers. Its expansion into tyre and rim assembly as Modern Wheel Solutions will allow it to offer customers a one-stop shop across its business and broaden its offering to attract future global clients.
“Our relationship with the company began in 2019 when it purchased a site on Carnbane Industrial Estate and we are happy that our Southern Regional team has been able to support its new venture onto Carnbane Business Park so soon after. Its investment will bring new skills and expertise to the team, growing its workforce to over 200 people across the company in Northern Ireland. This is great news for the local Newry, Mourne & Down District Council area, as it will generate almost £650,000 in additional annual salaries for the Northern Ireland economy.”
Invest NI has offered Modern Tyres over £580,000 towards the construction of its new factory, marketing activities and the creation of the 23 jobs. Jobs on offer include managerial roles, sales engineers, operatives, office staff and delivery drivers.
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Newry's Business Community has secured more than 60 laptops as part of Newry Chamber’s Laptops for Schools Initiative. Launched in January, the initiative was aimed at helping local pupils with their home schooling.
Welcoming the response from the local business community, the Chief Executive Officer of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade, Colm Shannon said “At a time when our schools were closed, many pupils were struggling with home learning. Not all children have access to home computers and in discussions with local schools it was clear that our schools needed urgent support.
“The Chamber reached out to the local business community, and we were delighted with their response. Over the past three months we have secured 61 laptops which have been delivered to local school children. The Chamber and the Newry business community has a strong relationship with our schools, and we hope this initiative will be a small step to support our children’s education at this difficult time. All the schools have been very positive about the difference this will make to the education of the children.”
Thanking the companies that supported the initiative he added “The Chamber would like to thank one businessperson who made a significant donation towards the cost of the laptops initiative; to KPMG for their donation of laptops: to MJM Marine and to Unislim for their laptop donations as well. We would also like to thank Newry Computer Centre, and AMI Ltd through their retail site refreshedbyus.com, who both helped us with the purchase of some of the laptops at preferential rates.”
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Following three years in business Just Good Grub who make fresh ready-made convenient Meals & Desserts have announced the launch of The Food Market, Newry for Summer 2021 creating 10 new jobs growing it’s team to 54 members of staff. The company opened its second Delicatessen, The Food House in Banbridge in August 2020 with their first sit-in café.
Just Good Grub supplies ready-made meals to over 100 retail stores across Northern Ireland daily through its distributor Gourmet Foods. Celebrating its third year in business will see the opening of a new and larger urban Delicatessen based on the banks of Newry Canal offering over 150 JustGoodGrub meal choices, including Family Meals, Sides, and Desserts.
Co-founders & professional Chefs Mark Haughey and John McCartney who have a combined experience of 50 years within the food service industry opened The Food House in August 2020 creating 14 new job roles. It serves customer taste buds with a wide range of choices from JustGoodGrub convenience food-to-go meals to Gourmet Sandwiches, Burgers, and a Mexican food bar, the first of its kind in Banbridge.
Since opening it has experienced a growth in sales by 50% in the first quarter of 2021 following the launch of a state-of-the-art online ordering app which enables customers to order for click & collect without the need to queue for takeaway. Mark explains, “Due to the uncertainties of Covid restrictions and reduced town footfall we decided to launch an app that allowed customers complete convenience to order of our full menu online and choose a collection time.” Mark continues, “The app has enabled us to increase orders by 85% since launching in January and improve efficiency within our kitchen. This success has given us the confidence to push ahead with the opening of The Food Market in 2021”.
The new premises will also expand the networks of local suppliers that JustGoodGrub currently works with. John explains “JustGoodGrub is all about fresh produce and great taste, with something for everyone from Asian dishes to Traditional Homemade Dinners to our low calorie JustGuiltFree meals for the calorie conscious made from fresh locally sourced ingredients in our Newry based kitchen.” He continued “Working with local producers is a very important element to our business and The Food Market will drive our initiative to support local food markets.”
JustGoodGrub is currently seeking local food manufacturers & artisan food businesses to get in touch to become a stockist in THE FOOD MARKET. To enquire send your information to info@justgoodgrub.com
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The NMD Business Growth and Tender for Growth programmes are creating jobs every week, according to new figures released. In the 18 months since their launch, the local business support programmes facilitated by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have helped to create over 78 new jobs for the area - averaging more than one new role each week.
The programmes are part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014 -2020) programme.
Participants in the programme are able to avail of one-to-one mentoring from leading experts, who help guide them and their business through unprecedented times, as well as learning new skills in financial management, cross-border sales and maximising your chances of winning tenders. As a result, many businesses have been able to not only grow their business, but grow their workforce.
Despite the impact of recent lockdowns over the last 12 months, NMD Business has continued to provide SMEs with support packages in response to challenges created by the pandemic. This has resulted in ongoing growth for the business and the creation of 78 new job roles, as well as helping 465 businesses involved in the programme to navigate an unprecedented economic environment.
Eddie Curran from Pro-Performance Nutrition completed the programme in 2020 and has already recruited a full-time driver for his business. He said:
“The guidance I received and the lessons I learned throughout the programmes were crucial in the survival of our business. It helped us focus on what was key for our growth. The mentoring allowed us to develop a strategic plan which looked at improving our services and team, to achieve more growth across our target markets. Despite the pandemic and the issues the economy is facing, we are in a good place.
“Enhancing my skillset was obviously a vital part of our success in the programmes, but the confidence I gained in myself helped boost the direction of the business and enabled me to grow our team. It’s hard to believe that this support is free, so I would urge any business in Newry, Mourne and Down to register as soon as possible. You never know where it might take you!”
Speaking on the success of the business support programme, Councillor Laura Devlin, Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council added:
“As a council we want to see the success of local businesses, who can create jobs and compete in local and international markets. That is why the NMD Business Growth and Tender for Growth programmes are important elements of our work, where we can support SMEs and start-ups to develop their skills and grow their business.
“It is great to see that the programme is a success, with so many of the hundreds who have taken part seeing growth and expansion of their businesses in the last 18 months. It is particularly exciting to see 78 new jobs created, one each week since the programme launched, and we hope to see even more in the coming months."
For more information or to find out if your business is eligible for the programme, visit WWW.NMDBUSINESS.ORG
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An old Newry whiskey brand, Matt D’Arcy which used to be exported around the globe is once again taking on the world!
The recently revived Matt D'Arcy & Co Ltd has received a significant boost with the firm securing its first export orders in over a century. The initial distribution deals see the premium whiskey being sold across France and Germany. Several other agreements in the USA and Canada are being finalised.
Matt D’Arcy built up a global reputation after it was first established in 1817 before closing in 1918. The brand was relaunched last year by local businessman and historian Michael McKeown.
Michael commented “This is a major milestone for us. We have got great support locally and across Ireland following the reintroduction of Matt D’Arcy. We are now in around 150 off-licence outlets here and expect to get orders from the Pubs when they open again this month.
We are starting to attract attention in many foreign markets. There is huge interest in Irish Whiskey and the sector has enjoyed fantastic worldwide sales growth over the last decade. Customers have really bought into the story and history of the brand. We are also getting great reviews for the quality and taste of the whiskey”.
Matt D’Arcy has picked up an impressive set of awards since its relaunch. Their super premium 17-year-old single malt rum cask finish was voted best Irish whiskey at the internationally acclaimed San Francisco World Spirits competition 2020. This was then repeated at the Las Vegas International Whiskey Competition. The 10-year-old blend port finished picked up gold and silver medals at these awards too.
The company’s longer-term plan is to re-establish a working distillery on the original Matt D’Arcy site on Monaghan Street in the heart of Newry city. The project will also include a visitor’s centre, Victorian bar and restaurant. Construction tenders are expected to be issued this summer.
For more information about where to buy the whiskey, please visit mattdarcys.com
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Warrenpoint headquartered artisan food-to-go company DELI LITES has kicked off a major social impact project to show its support for environmental protection, using football as a catalyst to help rid our streets of litter.
The award-winning fresh gourmet sandwiches and food-to-go products company is teaming up with the non-profit group Playing for the Future in a social action project to encourage young people to care for the environment.
Starting initially with a workshop on May 13th for young people and their families involved in the Playing for the Future football academies, the project aims to conduct community clean-ups and educate about ways to address and improve the issue of litter. The organisers hope that this will gain momentum with further workshops and involve other football teams or community groups across the island of Ireland.
“At DELI LITES we are excited to educate about the role nutrition plays in sport success, but also where the food waste ends up,” said the company’s CEO Brian Reid. “As a food-to-go business, we recognise our responsibility to tackle the issue of waste and are taking steps to minimise our impact on the environment. To that end, we have introduced plastic-free packaging, and earlier this year our plant-based range officially became carbon neutral. We are actively taking steps to become a net-zero carbon business.”
Playing for the Future was established in 2009 as a cross-community youth football project, currently based in Belfast and Lurgan but with plans to expand to other parts of the UK and Ireland over the next three years. It creates opportunities for disadvantaged young people to progress to professional sport but also aims to ensure that young people understand the importance of looking after the environment, diversity, and mental health.
“We are excited to be working together with Playing for the Future to empower kids, and adults, within our communities,” continued Brian Reid. “It’s interesting that the energy saved by recycling just one aluminium can, is enough to run a television for three hours – and for those who love watching ‘the beautiful game’, that’s the equivalent of two football matches!
“The responsibility lies with all of us to encourage and facilitate opportunities for those of all ages and backgrounds to create a sustainable future for everyone.
“The ethos behind business, sport and sustainability remains synonymous. Often, being successful is about being persistent and putting in the extra work when no one is watching. Playing for the Future is determined to be about ‘more than just football’ - they are dedicated to providing their members with well-rounded skills to set them up for the future.”
Thomas McStravick, Managing Director of Playing for the Future, added: “We want to inspire people to dream, have ambitions and reach for the stars. We strongly believe in the power of football to help make our future a positive, prosperous and fulfilling one.
“Sports teams such as the Forest Green Rovers FC demonstrate how creating a more sustainable future can be addressed by football communities. Earlier this year, the team released their new innovative kit made from waste coffee grounds and recycled plastic, furthering their commitment to being the most sustainable football club on the planet. We are really excited to launch this new partnership with DELI LITES that’s all about caring for the environment and helping our young people to be even better custodians of it.
DELI LITES will be hosting the workshop via Zoom, making it accessible for members across the country, with the company’s Environmental and Sustainability team sharing their expertise on how to make a difference, so that participants will be empowered to get out into their own streets to pick up litter and help grow the environmental message across the island of Ireland.
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Newry Chamber has joined a range of Trade Bodies who are urging the Executive to relax regulations further. The bodies are all saying “High Street is not open until all can open.”
Retail has taken a hit due to the continued cap on the hospitality sector. Statistics from the NI Retail Consortium/Shoppertrak Footfall index shows that while footfall was up significantly in comparison to 2020, shopper numbers were down considerably on the last “normal year”, 2019. On Saturday 1 May, the busiest day of opening weekend, footfall was down by over 16% from where it was in 2019.
A decline in dwell time has also been reported by retailers reporting shoppers spending less time in high streets and town centres due to a lack of open hospitality options restricting shoppers stopping for a coffee or a meal.
The trade bodies are urging the Executive to consider the reopening of the hospitality sector when it meets to ensure a bigger footfall and spend from the public on high streets and town centres.
The joint statement was signed by Chief Executive of Newry Chamber, Colm Shannon, joined NI Retail Consortium (Aodhán Connolly), Retail NI (Glyn Roberts), Banbridge Chamber (Michael Donaghy), Bangor Chamber, (Geoff Thompson), Belfast Chamber, (Simon Hamilton), Causeway Chamber (Karen Yates), Lisburn Chamber (Garry McDonald), Londonderry Chamber (Paul Clancy), Portadown Chamber (Adrian Farrell), and Omagh Chamber (Colm Broderick)
Statement
“As the Executive convenes to review the current restrictions, it is essential that careful consideration of the implications the continued limitations on hospitality are having on the wider high street.
“Ministers now must work to ensure that the date of reopening for these businesses is guaranteed, with no confusion or frustration over regulations like what occurred last week. City, town and village centres have been hit hard enough over the past 14 months. Now’s the time for the Executive to give these businesses certainty and optimism moving forward and commit to the full reopening of our economy.
“The limited opening over the past two weeks has been a start and businesses across Northern Ireland have welcomed back customers with open arms. However, until hospitality is fully reopened, footfall, spend and dwell time will be down which will have an impact on the local economy.
“It is make or break time for the retail, hospitality and leisure industries. Simply put, the high street is not open until we are all open. The strength of the interdependent relationship between our sectors means that there are footfall drivers in each of the industries and there are businesses and workers who rely on those drivers to remain viable. There is no doubt that the continued restrictions on hospitality are having a negative impact on retail and leisure, and hindering the reopening of the economy.
“We are firm that it is not what you sell which is important but whether you can sell it safely. Our colleagues in hospitality have invested heavily and have gone above and beyond to ensure the correct measures and precautions are in place to safeguard both customers and staff. It is clear hospitality is ready to open fully.”
“We encourage the Executive to engage fully with us well in advance of reopening to ensure all businesses can sustain this reopening period. With the virus threat level lowered to Level 3, and the continued success of the vaccine roll-out, there is no justification to defer reopening. The Executive must remain completely focused and committed to the reopening of the Northern Ireland economy.”
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Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade is leading the way in helping businesses to plan a pathway for growth and recovery by bringing back its Small Business Conference programme for 2021.
The ‘Northern Ireland Small Business Conference’ was a sell out in 2019 and is coming back, virtually, on Thursday 24th June 2021. It will be bigger and better than ever and is completely free to attend.
Supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) the virtual conference is accessible to businesses, small and medium sized from anywhere, not just the Greater Newry area.
The programme will include a keynote address on the overall economic outlook for Northern Ireland from Richard Ramsey, Chief Economist for Northern Ireland at Ulster Bank.
Emma Mullen, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade said, “It is so important for recovery that we provide a really practical programme for attendees. The majority of the content will be delivered through smaller workshop sessions on a range of topics from marketing and sales to finance and procurement. Led by industry experts the workshops will address some of the most pressing issues our members have identified as being important for recovery. This includes investing in digital media, pitching for and procuring public and private tenders and accessing finance and support.”
Emma continued, “We are extremely grateful to our sponsors Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and FSB. Without their support we could not run this, not to be missed conference, free of charge, which makes it accessible to all businesses.”
Laura Devlin, Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said, “We are delighted to support Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade with the NI Small Business Conference. This conference was a sell-out success in 2019 and we have no doubt that it will attract a capacity crowd again, on its return in 2021. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is very proud of how resilient our local business community has been in the face of adversity, over the last 12 months. It is important that we work together, in the public and private sectors, to deliver economic recovery and to support local businesses.”
Brendan Kearney, Regional Chair of FSB in NI added, “This is a fantastic conference programme for small and medium sized businesses who may be struggling to get back on track after the upheaval of the past 12 months. The mix of keynote addresses and workshops will have something for everyone, and we would strongly encourage all businesses to get involved. FSB is at the heart of driving recovery in Northern Ireland, and we are glad to partner with organisations such as Newry Chamber on delivering this commitment.”
The Northern Ireland Small Business Conference will take place virtually on Thursday 24th June from 9am-1pm. Places are limited in the workshops and as the conference is free to attend, early booking is advisable. To book your free place please log onto Newrychamber.com
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