Newry BID Manager Eamonn Connolly was delighted to join other stakeholders (Newry Chamber of Commerce and Retail NI) today in Newry to welcome Finance Minister Conor Murphy’s announcement of a revamped ‘Back in Business’ Scheme. This will see businesses offered a 50% rates discount for up to two years if they occupy a vacant shop unit.
The unit must have been unoccupied for 12 months or more and previously used for retail.

Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID Manager said, “Rates are one of the biggest issues facing our members. We have a continuous lobby for a fair rates scheme which treats online, out of town and other businesses similar to those occupying town centre space. We welcome today’s announcement of an extended ‘Back to Business’ Scheme. We hope that this will attract new retailers to Newry city centre who will be successful, and choose to stay beyond the two-year relief period. We have a very vibrant city centre in Newry with lots of support and help for new and existing businesses. We welcome any new retailers who would like to avail of this scheme to get in touch with us at Newry BID. In the meantime, we will continue to work with our current members on the Revaluation coming up in 2023 as we believe that city and town centre premises are rated unfairly in comparison to other locations and types of businesses.”