We’ve just gone through our first week of semi-lockdown and while the figures in Newry, Mourne and Down are looking a bit more positive it’s hard to see how we sustain this way of life.
We, like many other people to tried to do our bit over the weekend, getting takeaway, shopping local and promoting businesses and services. Two days basic trade per week however, won’t get businesses through the remainder of the year. We need to look at other options.
For me it is simple, we keep out of big crowds and keep our circle of contacts very small. I, like most other armchair virologists, am not an expert so maybe this wouldn’t work; but there has to be some way in which we can keep businesses and schools open while keeping the case numbers down.
What we have seen this week is again a Newry ‘can-do’ attitude of pulling together. Newry Chamber set up three Facebook groups that anyone can join. These are called ‘Jobs Newry’, ‘Shop Newry’, ‘Network Newry’. ‘Jobs Newry’ is for people who want to share job opportunities or if they are looking for a new role; ‘Shop Newry’ is aimed at the retail and hospitality sector, to enable businesses to promote their goods and services. It also allows people who are trying to source local products to post a query. The third group which I believe will really help with the current situation is- ‘Network Newry’. This allows people to chat to other business people; introduce themselves and what they do; as well as asking for help or support with a particular issue. We hope to see these groups grow over time and really benefit the local business community. Anyone can join, just search for them in ‘Groups’ on Facebook.
I was also delighted to see local organisation ‘SPACE NI’ rebrand this week as ‘Bolster Community’. Bolster is a practical, hands-on charity that works alongside individuals, families and communities to help them get through and get ahead. I had the pleasure of receiving one of their gift hampers of handmade candles and soap from their social enterprise recently. You should check them out online if you are trying to buy local this Christmas. Another charity close to my heart, which is doing fabulous work is Head Injury Support. They too have a shop where survivors upcycle furniture and make fantastic gifts. They hope to be operating again before Christmas selling their gifts and crafts.
Congratulations to stalwarts of Newry Hanna Hillen Financial Services who celebrated 40 years in business this week. David, Alma, their family and the team have been such a constant in Newry and always willing to get involved. I wish them all the best in their celebrations and wish them many more years of successful trading.
Well done to the Murphy family, another constant on Hill Street, who are going from strength to strength. Following their recent fabulous extension, they have been listed in Retail Jewellers Top 5 Jewellery and Watch Independents in the UK and Ireland in their ‘Inspiring Independent Awards 2020’.
It was also great to see Digney Grant Insurance profiling their 40 years in business recently. It is these longstanding success stories alongside the new up and coming businesses that give me every hope that Newry will recover and thrive beyond this pandemic.
Last Sunday my hubby, friends from Newry City Runners and other local clubs should have been running Dublin Marathon. This loss of millions of pounds/euro revenue to cities like Dublin generated by these types of events is a devastating blow. We were then supposed to have friends over from London and we were heading to Donegal for Halloween. We had lots of fun plans in the pipeline, all of which have been cancelled. This is hard to take, it is annoying, and it is difficult to process as to why we can’t do all these things. I heard someone on the radio this week explain why, and it was simple. He said you can start over with most things or you can bring them back, but you can’t bring back people. I want to keep my people and yours here for a long time to come. Stay safe and have a happy, quiet Halloween.
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