Fingal business gets Brexit ready

THE small business sector in Fingal is being urged to continue preparing for Brexit in the run-up to Local Enterprise Week, which takes place three weeks before the UK is due to leave the EU.

The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is calling on 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, which takes place on March 4-8.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Anthony Lavin (FG), says all small businesses should use the opportunity 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,” he said.

“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.”

Local Enterprise Week features a host of events and activities 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.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid, 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.”

The week kicks off on Monday morning, March 4, 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 Wednesday, March 6, the LINC in Blanchardstown is 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.

Full details on events can be found online at www.localenterprise.ie/fingal.