Dungannon traders backing proposal for new Chamber

A PUBLIC meeting where ambitious plans to restore Dungannon’s Chamber of Commerce were discussed has been hailed as a “resounding success”.

Over 40 attendees from various sectors of the local business community, including Chamber of Commerce presidents from Newry and Derry, met in Dungannon Rugby Club to discuss the merits of the initiative and were subject to interviews by event host, Adrian Logan.

The drive to establish a new business collective in the town is coming from Brian MacAuley, chief executive of Dungannon Enterprise Centre, who is a passionate advocate for business in the Mid Ulster area.

Dominic Molloy, chair of Mid Ulster Council and Dungannon Enterprise Centre, spoke at the meeting regarding the need for collaboration and a unified business voice for the region.

Various speakers at the event extolled the virtues of a chamber and the important role it plays when representing a local voice to local government, particularly since Brexit. It was pointed out how a Chamber functions as a ‘business network’ by bringing people together.

Roisin McAliskey, representing the Northern Ireland Federation of Small Businesses, said, “There is an importance of a collective voice in engaging and promoting Dungannon and its various businesses, a lot of which have been established by a thriving migrant community who have settled in the town, adding vital contributions to the local economy.”

Businesses in the town were extremely supportive of the initiative.

Stephen Mohan, owner of Cuba Clothing, a 27-year stalwart of the local community, said he was 100 per-cent behind the establishment of a Chamber and looked forward to continuing to contribute to the town’s growth.

Also vocal was Terence Donnelly, from the Donnelly Group, who pledged to match the financial contribution already given by the Dungannon Traders Association, while expressing his aspirations to expand the reach of the group by inviting potential members.

Also joining the meeting via Zoom was Stephen Kelly, from Manufacturing NI. Mr Kelly was keen to stress the importance of the new group’s desire to collectively determine Dungannon’s aspirations by forming an effective, diverse board filled with “work, wisdom and wealth”.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a working group to develop the initiative over the summer, with plans for a subsequent meeting in the autumn to finalise the formation of the board. Anyone wishing to join the drive to establish a Chamber should contact mandy@dungannonenterprise.com.