Newry, Mourne and Down business support
How to make a success of doing business in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is located in the south east of Northern Ireland. The area has modern road, rail and port infrastructure, and is on the Belfast-Dublin economic corridor with direct access to the European Union, which makes it attractive for new or growing businesses.
The main urban centres in the council area are:
- Ballynahinch
- Downpatrick
- Kilkeel
- Newcastle
- Newry City
- Warrenpoint
This guide is for businesses who are thinking about starting up or expanding in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. It includes an economic profile of the area and details of business advice and support.
Free business support
Access free business support from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. If you're a budding entrepreneur just starting out, are looking to grow your business, or are planning to scale up, industry experts will provide tailored support and guidance to help you achieve your business goals.
Complete a short enquiry form or call 0800 027 0639 to register for this free support service.
How to start your business in Newry, Mourne and Down
Start-up support for entrepreneurs in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area
If you are considering starting a business, you can get free start-up support from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
Go Succeed Start
If you have a great idea but you're not sure how to turn it into a business, or you have already started out in business and require mentorship on your next steps, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's Go Succeed Start experts will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running.
This support is available to anyone interested in starting a business. Complete a short enquiry form or call 0800 027 0639 to register for free advice and guidance from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
My New Business
My New Business is a free online service that covers everything you need to start, plan and run a business. It has checklists, videos, tools, tutorials and case studies to help you get your business started - find out more about My New Business.
Get a business licence
You may need a licence to operate certain types of business in Newry, Mourne and Down. Find more information on how to apply for business licences on the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
Hospitality businesses
Hospitality Businesses with queries about start up a new food business or takeover of an existing one, must register with the Council’s Environmental Health Department. Registration is free and needs to be completed 28 days before opening - find out more.
Business growth support in Newry, Mourne and Down
Council and local organisation support and opportunities to grow your business in the Newry, Mourne and Down area
There are several organisations in Newry, Mourne and Down which offer support to help you grow your business.
Growth and support schemes for established businesses
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council runs support programmes for business growth and development. Current programmes include:
Go Succeed - Grow and Scale
Support is available if your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you're not sure how to progress. Or if your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally but you need guidance, support or resources to achieve your ambitions. Business advisors will provide tailored support to help your business achieve its ambitions. Find out more about Go Succeed support for existing businesses.
Social Enterprise Bootcamp
Bespoke mentoring and exclusive workshops is provided to help enhance the skills of social enterprises which are actively trading with ambitions to grow. Find out more about the Social Enterprise Bootcamp.
Local enterprise agencies
Enterprise Northern Ireland agencies provide business improvement programmes, financing, events, workspace and meeting space. There are two local enterprise agencies in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council:
Tender for council contracts
You can seek tender opportunities as a way to grow your business in Newry, Mourne and Down. The council offers public tenders throughout the year in a wide range of business areas.
Find out more on tendering for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council contracts.
Invest Northern Ireland support for business
Invest NI can help your business compete successfully and function more efficiently by providing support across a variety of areas.
Find out more about Invest NI support for business.
Business events
Many organisations run business focused events in Newry, Mourne and Down, across a range of topics to help you develop your business.
You can find business event listings on the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council website.
Advantages of doing business in Newry, Mourne and Down
The business environment, infrastructure and benefits of setting up a business in the Newry, Mourne and Down area
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is an excellent location for doing business.
Local infrastructure
Newry, Mourne and Down businesses benefit from direct access to markets across the world.
The council area is a critical link in the Belfast-Dublin economic corridor. A cross-border rail link between Belfast and Dublin includes a stop at Newry Station.
The council is within easy travel distance of Dublin Airport, Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport. The road network also provides fast and reliable access to major ports at Belfast, Larne and Dublin.
The council area has direct road access into the European Union - find out more about cross-border trade support with InterTradeIreland.
Local workforce and business supply chains
There are around 182,634 residents in Newry, Mourne and Down.
There are 9,375 businesses operating in Newry, Mourne and Down, which is 12% of all businesses in Northern Ireland. The majority of the base is micro and small businesses:
- 92% micro (0-9 employees)
- 7% small (10-49 employees)
- 1% medium (50-249 employees)
- 0.2% large (250+ employees)
Some major business investors in the council area include Finnebrogue, STATSports, Around Noon and Modern Tyres. Service businesses make up the largest sector in Newry, Mourne and Down:
- 49% services
- 26% agriculture
- 19% construction
- 6% manufacturing
You can download an Invest NI council briefing on Newry, Mourne and Down (PDF, 3.36MB).