BID Newsletter November

Update on Flood Grant

NMD Council has issued an update in relation to the £7,500 flood recovery grant from the Government for businesses impacted by the flooding in Newry, Jonesborough and Downpatrick.
This is a large number of businesses still to be processed. If you are a Newry BID member and you have any concerns about your application, please contact us.   There are cheques being issued on a daily basis with Eamonn working on behalf of BID members who have queries. We are still working on the lobby as to how the remaining funding will be allocated.

• Number of applications received from businesses                             228
• Number of payments issued to businesses                                            18
• Number of payments being issued to businesses                               42
• Number of applications currently being verified by LPS                    45
• Number of applications currently subject to further clarification and verification by NMDCC-           123

Newry Christmas Lights Switch On

Newry Christmas Lights Switch On takes place tonight  Thursday 23^rd November. This is an extended programme to show that Newry is open for business and the BID is delighted to support the Council and Department of Communities with the programme of events. Please support this event and come along if you can. The event takes place from 6 pm- 9 pm.
Hill Street and Bank Parade will be closed to traffic for the festivities with a special Christmas Artisan Market hosting local stalls taking place in Newry Town Hall and live entertainment on two stages at Bank Parade and Marcus Square which will be linked with a special Candy Cane Lane through the heart of the city.

There will be entertainment in both shopping centres both of our shopping centres, on Monaghan Street and Hill Street as well as street vending, live music, carol singing and street entertainment.

Southern Area Hospice Services will also host its Santa Fun Run on Hill Street at 6 pm. Santa will arrive ahead of the big switch-on in Marcus Square at 7:30 pm.

Visit from Shadow Secretary of State

Labour Shadow Secretary of State Hilary Benn MP recently visited Newry city centre to meet with businesses impacted by the floods.
He met with a number of BID businesses as well as other stakeholders. Mr Benn undertook to action a number of requests from the meeting.
He said he would:

• Raise questions at NI Question time for further support for BID members impacted.
• He will seek the introduction of a Flood Warning System in NI to mirror the one in England where businesses and property owners on flood plains receive text or e-mail notifications in advance of flood threats.

He advised that as Environment Secretary in 2007, he introduced legislation in GB to ensure water flows involving multi-agencies had an overarching plan to prevent instances like this.
Eamonn Connolly also raised a number of issues. He welcomed the Labour Party Manifesto pledge to remove Business Rates and to replace that system with a fairer business tax capturing online and out-of-town sales more fairly. He also highlighted that the unfairness in Business Rates in GB was exacerbated further in NI due to the local exemptions applying to manufacturing and agriculture that don’t apply in GB. He pointed out that this leaves the Retail, Hospitality and Professional Services sectors paying excessively as a result.The meeting provided an opportunity for BID members to tell their stories, detail the challenges and outline the help they needed

Thanks to all our members who contributed so strongly to the meeting.

Newry Business Christmas Toy Mountain Appeal

This year’s charity Christmas dinner is being held on-

Date: Wednesday 6th December

Venue: Canal Court Hotel, Newry

Time: 6 pm