New Programme Launched to Help Local Businesses Grow

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is encouraging businesses in the district to sign up to a new business support programme. The initiative is aimed at helping local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow, through increasing their sales and taking advantage of new sales opportunities.

The Sales Growth Programme, which is being delivered as part of the NMD Business Growth Programme, is open to all SME businesses which employ fewer than 50 people and are based in the Council area. It is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014 -2020) Programme.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “I am delighted to see the latest phase of the Business Support Programme launched. The Council is committed to promoting the local economy and, in particular, local businesses which support economic growth throughout the district. This Sales Growth Programme will help micro and small sized enterprises to grow and prosper, which in turn helps to stimulate growth, improve skills and increase employment.”

The Sales Growth Programme, which is free to participants, starts in July. It involves a series of sales growth workshops and sales-focused mentoring support, which will deliver practical and meaningful help to local businesses. Each participant will also have the opportunity to meet with potential customers who have expressed a specific interest in their products/services.

Welcoming this initiative Invest NI’s Southern Manager, Mark Bleakney said, “Invest NI has been working closely with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to develop the Business Growth Programme, which is specifically designed to address the needs of our small business community. Businesses in the district have the creativity, drive and vision to achieve positive growth and this programme will help leverage the strengths of our business community, open up new opportunities and encourage local job creation.”

Recruitment is already under way for the ten places on the Programme. For further details or to complete an Expression of Interest form, please contact Sandy at Full Circle on

028 9069 1027/sandy@fullcircle.eu.com.  Forms must be submitted by Friday 5 July 2019.