Meeting to prepare businesses for Brexit

Meeting to prepare businesses for Brexit

4 December 2019

A NUMBER of ideas on how local businesses can prepare for Brexit were discussed at a special event in Downpatrick last week.

The so-called “brexit business briefing” held at Denvir’s Coaching Inn was the first in a series across the constituency being spearheaded by sitting South Down MP Chris Hazzard who is defending his seat at the next week’s parliamentary election.

Mode than a dozen local businesses participated in last Wednesday’s event which Sinn Fein has described as a “constructive conversation” towards preparing local business for a post-Brexit business environment. 

Mr Hazzard was joined by local human resources consultancy HR Elephant, whose representatives gave a detailed overview of steps businesses should be taking now to prepare for any and all Brexit outcomes. 

Also taking part in the business breakfast event was Sinn Fein chief negotiator Conor Murphy MLA who gave an overview of efforts to restore power sharing institutions at Stormont. 

Mr Hazzard thanked all those who took part in last week’s event which he revealed was the first localised briefing with businesses from the Downpatrick area.

He continued: “I was delighted that local business leaders turned up with lots of questions and listened attentively to what the experts from HR Elephant had to say about businesses getting ready for Brexit. 

“Since the 2016 referendum, I have engaged constantly with local businesses throughout South Down and they have repeatedly talked about their fears and anxieties. It is clear they are now taking the necessary steps to Brexit-proof their operations as much as possible.”

But Mr Hazzard said that unfortunately, there is only so much mitigation a local firm can do, explaining that last week’s event political and business representatives talked about the importance of wider protections and initiatives.

He also confirmed that a number of ideas put forward by businesses will now be raised with the Department for the Economy and Newry, Mourne and Down Council. 

The MP said that in the weeks ahead, the Brexit business briefing initiative will be rolled out across the county in small settings, encouraging people to contact him if they are interested in participating. 

Mr Hazzard will be in Warrenpoint this morning with Caoimhe Archibald MLA introducing proposals for a Green New Deal who will be joined by Pearse Doherty who will talk to businesses about Brexit and opportunities to develop our all-island economy. 

The MP added: “The appetite for this type of event has been fantastic and once again demonstrates that we have a flourishing local economy throughout South Down. However, it is clear that they remain very worried and anxious about the post-Brexit environment.”