As businesses continue to prepare for the full impact of a potential hazardous crash-out BREXIT, the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is sending a clear message to small businesses to engage immediately to ensure they are adequately prepared for a worst-case scenario, hard Brexit.
Fingal LEO has launched a series of business events and initiatives to take place during Local Enterprise Week this year, which takes place between 4th and 8th March 2019.
At the launch, which took place in the Atrium of County Hall, Swords, the Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Anthony Lavin highlighted the necessity for all small businesses to use the opportunity as a stimulus to seek supports in preparation for a potential hard Brexit:
“I am pleased to see that Fingal businesses currently trading with the UK have taken the implications of Brexit very seriously and are continuing to do their utmost to prepare for a worst-case scenario. I would urge all businesses, even those that are not trading directly with the UK, to examine their own situation very closely to ensure that they have identified and are preparing to deal with possible knock-on threats to their business. Through our Local Enterprise Office, Fingal County Council is providing advisory services and assistance to our local businesses, to ensure that they are maximising the array of state supports on offer.”
This year, Local Enterprise Week features a host of events and activities that are aimed at stimulating business activity locally, in conjunction with various key business support organisations and state agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, Plato Dublin, Chambers of Commerce, Enterprise Centres, business financing organisations and many more.
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During Enterprise Week last year, LEO Fingal welcomed more than 1,200 business owner/managers to the various business events in Fingal. With the threat of Brexit looming, it is anticipated that there will be an even greater level of interest in the events that will run between 4th and 8th March this year.
Speaking at the launch of Local Enterprise Week, the Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, PaulReid, said: “In Fingal, we relentlessly strive to be the best at everything we do. With Brexit just around the corner, our businesses face an unprecedented threat. It is imperative that we do our best to help them prepare. Local Enterprise Week is an excellent opportunity to network, keep up with developments and find the right supports for your business. I am particularly pleased to see so many of our state agencies and business organisations supporting Local Enterprise Week this year.”
Head of Local Enterprise Office Fingal, Oisin Geoghegan said: “Local Enterprise Week is an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland. During the Local Enterprise Week 2019, many small businesses will be exposed to a range of supports they have on offer through LEO Fingal, such as training, mentoring, grants and other practical business supports. The entire programme of events is funded by the Local Enterprise Office. The series of events was designed to appeal to all entrepreneurs, whatever stage of development they are at, pre-start, start-up or growth”.
The week kicks off on Monday morning 4th March with an intensive full-day Business Start-up Bootcamp in Blanchardstown, aimed at helping those with an idea for a new business, or anyone who has recently set up. Also on the first morning at the Riasc Centre in Swords, a Trading Online Voucher (TOV) seminar will offer small businesses the opportunity to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of a grant of up to €2,500. Later that evening a tourism business seminar will be hosted at Howth yacht club.
On day 2, Tuesday 5th March, Fingal Dublin Chamber will host a business networking breakfast focusing on “interviews with Fingal entrepreneurs” in Portmarnock. Meanwhile in Balbriggan the BEAT Centre will be running two seminars helping businesses that wish to exploit social media. And in the evening on Tuesday over 100 local food producers are expected to join the Dublin Food Chain networking event.
Wednesday 6th March will see two events taking place, with the LINC in Blanchardstown running a business pitching session in the morning where start-ups have an opportunity to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges, with a prize to the winning pitch provided by the Local Enterprise Office. At noon, a “Raising Finance” event will take place in Ballycoolin, featuring state agencies Microfinance Ireland, SBCI, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Office, among others.
On Thursday, Balbriggan Chamber will host a business networking breakfast focusing on Marketing, while nearby in Gormanston Fingal LEO is running a summit for retailers in conjunction with Louth and Meath. Thursday evening is back to County Hall in Swords, where the Fingal Enterprise Awards ceremony will take place.
Local Enterprise Week finishes up on Friday the 8th, with a breakfast morning hosted by Plato at the Clayton hotel at the M1/M50 Junction. Then at lunchtime Fingal Enterprising Women will celebrate international Women’s Day at a special business networking lunch at the Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport.
Most events are completely free of charge while some have a nominal booking fee. As with last year, many of the events are expected to book up quickly so early booking is strongly advised.
You can find out more about Local Enterprise Week in Fingal at www.localenterprise.ie/fingal
