Weekly Newsletter
Dear Members,
Here we are, another week in lockdown, but at least the days are brighter and sunnier, and we know for sure that we are one week closer to businesses reopening and our town returning to its vibrant self.
This has been a very busy week for Ennis Chamber in the local media, with news of Allen Flynn’s election as president of Ennis Chamber hitting the headlines and the airwaves, and making a splash on social media platforms. Darragh McAllister of Lucas’s Bar and Considine’s was elected Vice President and we welcomed four new faces to our Executive Board, namely; Marian Duggan of LIT, Nandi O’Sullivan, Shannon Group, Siobhan Bermingham, Essilor and Sheila O’Connor of O’Connor newsagents. The full story is on https://www.ennischamber.ie/news
Expansion of Funding
Government announcements continue around funding and other supports. This week saw Minister for Business Heather Humphreys reveal a major expansion of supports available for all businesses impacted by Covid-19. See: https://www.ennischamber.ie/covid-19-business-supports-expansion/
Chambers Ireland Survey
Thanks to everyone who completed the Chambers Ireland online Survey. We can’t sugarcoat the findings, they are stark. Key findings included: 84% of businesses expect revenue to decline by in excess of 25% in the next three months. Approximately 25% of businesses expect their revenue to decline by more than 90% over the next 3 months.
Smaller firms are even more concerned about loss of revenue and are more likely to expect a 100% reduction in revenue. See: https://www.ennischamber.ie/chambers-ireland-survey-shows-42-of-businesses-have-shut-completely-with-further-30-operating-remotely/
Chambers Ireland continues to lobby hard for a substantial business stimulus package to reignite the economy post-COVID-19.
Motivational workshop for retailers & customer-facing businesses
We bring you news today of a practical, supportive and motivational workshop to take place online (Zoom) on Wednesday April 29th, with excellent speakers including Bobby Kerr and James Bourke. Further details and registration link found here: https://www.ennischamber.ie/workshop-to-help-customer-facing-businesses-get-through-covid-19-crisis/
Free Crisis Aversion Webinar for Ennis Chamber Members
Ennis Chamber will host a FREE webinar on Friday April 17th at 3pm with Business Coach Derek O’Dwyer of ActionCOACH. The Clareman who was twice awarded Action European Coach of the Year and awarded Irish Coach of the year seven times will share his knowledge, skills and insights in the areas of Crisis Aversion.
We are accepting questions in advance, so if you have specific questions for Derek, please email them to: mobrien@ennischamber.ie where you can also register your attendance for this event.
That’s it for this week. While our doors are not physically open, staff at Ennis Chamber continue to work from home and we continue to fulfill Certificates of Origin for exporting companies still operating within county Clare.
Wishing you and yours a safe and healthy Easter.
Margaret O’Brien
CEO, Ennis Chamber
