Now is the time to get your Health Checked!

The Randox Health Mobile clinic will be at Cookstown Enterprise Centre on the 27^th of May 2026, offering comprehensive health assessments to surrounding businesses and the general public.

This partnership shows the enterprise centre’s commitment to their staff and community by making these health checks more accessible.

For business owners and those dealing with staff wellbeing, these health checks are completely tax-free and carry no benefit-in-kind charge. Making this a tax efficient way to support your people.

You can view what’s on offer here https://randoxhealth.com/en-GB/ – When booking your appointment select “Cookstown Enterprise Centre”

For more information contact Dino.Persello@randox.com

Go Succeed​

Go Succeed was established to help entrepreneurs, new starts and existing businesses to maximise both their potential and contribution to Northern Ireland’s economy.  Go Succeed provides would-be and existing businesses with flexible, tailored and easily accessible advice and support at any stage of their growth journey.

Support to start
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. 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.

Support to grow
Your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you’re not sure how to progress. Go Succeed Grow experts have seen it all before in just about every sector, so they’ll provide tailored support to help shorten the journey to business growth.

Support to scale
Your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally but you need guidance, support or resources to achieve your ambitions. Go Succeed Scale industry experts will help tailor your plans to penetrate new markets, identify investment opportunities and scale up your operations.

For more information or to register click on the link https://go-succeed.com/

https://www.midulstercouncil.org/business

DS3: Introduction to Data Analytics for Small Businesses

Live Online Webinar: Thursday 26th March 2026

This 60 minute workshop will cover how data analytics can improve business performance and decision making.

Attendees will learn:

• What data analytics is and why it matters
• Real examples of dashboards and reporting tools
• Popular tools and ease of implementation

Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how data analytics can support their business.

Date: Thursday 28th March 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00pm
Location: Online (MS Teams)
Cost: Free
Register now:  Sign up for DS3 Workshop: Data Analytics

Making Tax Digital

For years, sole traders and landlords have followed the same annual routine for filing tax returns. They would gather their accounts information, file their tax return, and go back to business as usual. But with these new changes, the yearly rhythm is about to change.

This change in government rules, Making Tax Digital (MTD) begins in April 2026. This is only relevant to those who are earning over £50,000 from self-employment or from letting out property. Then April 2027, the earnings threshold falls to £30,000 which will add many more people into the system.

If your accountant has yet to bring this up, now is the time to check in. Getting ahead of this change and being prepared for it will make all the difference when the MTD change is introduced.

Quarterly Tax Reporting Is Here — Are You Prepared?

The time of only having to file your tax return once a year is coming to an end. With MTD, you’ll need to keep digital records for your business and submit quarterly tax returns to HMRC using compatible software. This will then be followed up by a final declaration at the end of each tax year.

Though this may sound like a burden, there are real benefits of Making Tax Digital, especially for those who are willing to embrace this change.

Real-Time Insight, Smarter Decisions

By recording income and expenses more frequently, quarterly rather than yearly you will have cleaner and more up to date financial information at your disposal. This allows you to make smarter business decisions for example, adjusting pricing, planning for your tax bill and spotting financial trends before they can cause an issue.

It also gives you the opportunity to work on your business and not just work in it. It allows you to step back from day-to-day work and look at the bigger financial picture. For many business owners this is long overdue as it gives them an opportunity to take control of their finances, instead of playing catch up each year.

If bookkeeping isn’t your strength or you don’t have time to carry it out then this is an ideal time to hire a bookkeeper or consult with an accountant about managing your digital records and quarterly returns. This is their area of expertise so you can trust that everything is being handled correctly for your financial affairs. They can also provide you with advice which could potentially help your business grow and reach the next level.

Will You Be Affected?

For the introduction of MTD in April 2026, HMRC will look at your turnover from self-employment and UK or overseas property. If that combined total income crosses the £50,000 threshold in the 2024–25 tax year, you must comply with MTD from April 2026.

For example, if you earn £28,000 from letting out a property and another £23,000 from self-employment, your total qualifying income is £51,000 and you’ll be expected to switch to MTD in April 2026 as you are above the threshold.

Though not all income will count towards this figure. Income from employment, dividends, pensions, or partnerships will not apply towards this £50,000 figure. And if you co-own a rental property, only your share of the income will be considered towards the £50,000 figure. Though still many people will be over this threshold without even realising it.

How to Get Ready

• Check your self-employment & rental Income: Are you close to or over £50,000 threshold?
• Talk to your accountant: They can check if you will need to comply and from when
• Get the right software: You’ll need the correct MTD-compatible tools to submit quarterly reports.
• Update your systems: Switch from paper or spreadsheets to digital bookkeeping.

Final Thoughts

Making Tax Digital is a big change, but it can also be an opportunity for you to take control over your finances. By starting to prepare now and familiarise yourself with the right digital tools for this change you can help avoid last minute stress and errors.

Don’t wait for HMRC to reach out, consult with your accountant now and make a plan that suits your needs. With the right support, this transition can be smooth and even make managing your taxes easier in the long run.

You don’t have to do it all yourself. But you do have to get started.

*  This article is for general information only. You are recommended to seek professional advice before taking action on the basis of the contents of this article.

Cookstown Students Win Prestigious Innovation Award

Cookstown Enterprise congratulates Luke and Daniel from the Cookstown High School from the “Trail Talk Project” who won the Aer Lingus Future Innovations Award at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2026 in Dublin.

The students recently attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of Cookstown Enterprise, where they demonstrated their award‑winning work. Board members were impressed by the innovation, technical knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit showcased by both students.

Cookstown Enterprise, is proud to have supported Cookstown High Schools and Luke and Daniel on their journey and encouraged their development as young innovators. We look forward to seeing how their ideas evolve and their contribution to the growing culture of creativity and entrepreneurship within the Cookstown community.

Mr T Wilson (Chair) and Mrs L Kearns (Vice Chair) of Cookstown Enterprise Centre chat with Luke and Daniel.

The Trail Talk Team presented the app to CEC Directors which they developed for this project.

CEC Board of Directors with Miss G Evans Principal, Cookstown High School and Mr R Johnston Head of Technology Cookstown High School.

Cookstown Enterprise Centre

“Your  Business Matters”

Date: Friday 06th February 2026 

Time: 10am – 12 noon 

Location: Cookstown Enterprise Centre

Are you a new or existing business?

Want to avail of our “Business Advice” Drop in Clinic?

Informal, free & confidential.

Discuss your general business matters including topics such as finance options, employment, marketing etc.

Everyone Welcome.

The call for £5k Innovation Voucher applications is now open and closes on Friday 13^th February 2026 @ 3pm.

A £5K Innovation Voucher could help you to work with highly respected universities, colleges or research bodies to develop new products, services or processes.

See below the link to the voucher programme details and application form.

Apply for a £5k Innovation Voucher

Cookstown Enterprise Centre recently made its annual Christmas donation to two locally based charities.  This year Cookstown Enterprise donated £300 to Ausome Kids Cookstown and £300 to The Talking Newspaper Cookstown. This was in lieu of sending Christmas cards.

Trevor Wilson Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre presents a cheque to Pamela Baxter representing Ausome Kids Cookstown.

L-R Mick McGuckin CEC Director, Jim Eastwood General Manager of CEC, Trevor Wilson CEC Chair, Pamela Baxter Ausome Kids and Peter Cassidy CEC Director.

Trevor Wilson Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre presents a cheque to Moira Shaw and Michael May representing The Talking Newspaper Cookstown.

L-R Elizabeth Kerns CEC Director, Jim Eastwood General Manager of CEC, Trevor Wilson CEC Chair and Moira Shaw The Talking Newspaper.

ABOUT THIS EVENT