Council Chairperson Launches NMD Enterprise Week 2021

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason has launched NMD Enterprise Week 2021, which will run from 8 to 12 November. This year’s theme is ‘Make it Your Business’, with the aim of highlighting skills and career choices for future entrepreneurs.

Throughout Enterprise Week there will be a series of free business focused seminars, workshops, online networking opportunities and mentoring sessions to assist new business start-ups, established local businesses, social enterprises and students. Key themes include social economy support, growing your business online, accessing new customer bases, building new business networks, digital sessions, and how to grasp new business opportunities through tendering and engaging with customers.

As the district’s business and education sectors look ahead to recovery post COVID-19, the Council has partnered with key organisations such as Newry and Mourne Co-Operative Enterprise Agency, Down Business Centre, Southern Regional College, South Eastern Regional College, Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade, local Schools and InterTradeIreland to provide the week-long programme of events. The aim is to help participants make informed decisions about how best to navigate a way forward through recovery and revitalisation.

This year also has an emphasis on inspiring young people to make their mark in the business environment. A number of inspirational talks, events and virtual workplace visits have been organised with a key focus on career guidance. It is hoped the student skills and advice clinics events will empower students to consider new business development opportunities at a critical time in their education. The events will also provide careers teachers and parents with a wide range of inspirational talks from expert business leaders at events and via virtual workplace visits.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason said, "It has been over 18 months since the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded and we now look ahead to the serious work of rebooting our local economy for a better, post-pandemic world.  Many businesses have faced overwhelming challenges across all aspects of their operations. NMD Enterprise Week 2021 will be a fantastic opportunity for our local students, schools and businesses to foster and share skills, talents and focus in on how to plan, start and grow again across the district.

Cllr Mason continued, “Local businesses are the lifeblood and character of our local villages, towns and our city. Over recent months, the Council has actively encouraged local people to stay local, shop local through promoting our ‘Make it Local’ campaign and Artisan markets. For this year’s Enterprise Week, we are keen to ensure that established and future entrepreneurs know that there are business support networks in place to help residents and businesses start up and grow a business.”

To make the week as accessible as possible, all events within NMD Enterprise Week will be free of charge. For further information please visit http://nmdbusiness.org/enterprise-week-2021/.