Retail shop/office units to let

GDPR-Ready Seminar Attracts over 100 Mid Ulster Businesses

Over 100 representatives from micro and small businesses in Mid Ulster attended a free ‘GDPR-Ready’ information workshop.

The information session, which was organised and delivered by Mid Ulster Council in association with Cookstown Enterprise Centre and Workspace Enterprises, took place at the Burnavon Cookstown this week.

The workshop explored the steps that micro and small businesses need to take to prepare for the introduction of the new regulations which come into force on 25 May 2018.

Opening the event, Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Mark Glasgow, highlighted the importance of the impending GDPR legislation.

“The General Data Protection Regulation, (GDPR) has implications for practically every organisation, whether in the public, private, voluntary and community sector. It brings wide-ranging changes to existing data protection legislation and places a much greater responsibility on all of us to manage how we hold and process personal information.”

Mark Raine, consultant with Prestige HR delivered a presentation which highlighted the changes to GDPR regulations which will come into force for all businesses, regardless of size or turnover, on the 25^th May 2018. Focus was on the six main principles of the new GDPR regulations and the responsibilities of all businesses to ensure that these principles are adhered to.

Enda Daly, Workspace Enterprises, confirmed that there are a number of consultants, including Prestige HR, available to provide assistance to businesses in the future.

Trevor Wilson, Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre added, “Cookstown Enterprise Centre is pleased to have collaborated with Mid Ulster District Council and Workspace Enterprises to deliver this important information event. The primary purpose of the workshop was to provide clarity in respect of the requirements of the new regulations and to reassure business owners that provided steps are being taken to implement the necessary processes and controls, GDPR can be easily integrated into their routine procedures.”

For more information contact: Cookstown Enterprise Centre on 028 8676 3660 or Workspace Enterprises on 028 7962 8113.

Mid Ulster District Council in association with Cookstown Enterprise Centre and Workspace Enterprises has organised a free business information session on the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

The GDPR Ready information session will take place at the Burnavon, Cookstown on Wednesday 16 May and will explore the steps that micro and small businesses across Mid Ulster need to take to prepare for the introduction of the new regulations which come into force on 25 May 2018.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Kim Ashton is hoping local businesses avail of the free information session.

“The new General Data Protection Regulations which come into force in only a few weeks, will effect businesses immensely in the way they obtain, handle and record personal data and information. There will be much more stringent rules and regulations to abide by so I would encourage any local businesses still unsure about GDPR and what it means for them, to attend the free practical information session and take on board all that is discussed and advised.”

The session will commence with a light breakfast at 8.00am and last approximately 90 minutes.

To register to attend go to:- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gdpr-ready-are-you-prepared-tickets-45716881423 Booking is essential and numbers are limited.

For more information contact: Cookstown Enterprise Centre on 028 86763660 or Workspace Enterprises on 028 79628113.

Enterprising West was originally established as an informal partnership of the five local enterprise agencies servicing the Tyrone and Fermanagh regions.

The agencies In Cookstown, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Omagh & Strabane came together initially to deliver the LEDU managed business start-up programme on a regional basis.

At the outset it was agreed that the partnership would meet six times a year with the venue rotating among the members. An agenda for meetings was established and minutes have always been recorded. Jim Eastwood was elected as the first chairman, a position he held until 2007.

During the years since the establishment of the partnership a very high level of trust has been established among the members who have worked closely to deliver regional initiatives when appropriate. The partnership continues to provide an excellent forum for transfer of knowledge and information and to share good practice.

Within 2016 & 2017, Workspace in Draperstown, Roe Valley Enterprises in Limavady and Enterprise North West in Derry all accepted an invitation to join the partnership.

On Good Friday, the 30^th March 2018, the Enterprising West Partnership celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its establishment. The celebratory meeting took place in Cookstown Enterprise Centre where Jim Eastwood as Chairman on the day treated the partners to a surprise presentation which reflected on the EW journey since Good Friday 1998. A lunch was served with Champagne and cake to complete the anniversary occasion.

Enterprising West Group

Go-2-Tender, IntertradeIreland’s award winning programme, aims to give your business the confidence, knowledge and practical skills to tender successfully for public sector contracts in their own jurisdiction and on a cross-border basis.

Overview of the Go-2-Tender Programme

The Go-2-Tender Programme aims to give SMEs across the island of Ireland the confidence, skills and knowledge to successfully compete for Public Sector tenders in their own jurisdiction and on a cross-border basis.
The Programme consists of 2 days’ training by experienced bid specialists and up to 2½ days of tailored, one-to-one mentoring.
Eligible companies can also apply for up to a further 2 days of expert mentor support at no additional cost.

The next set of workshops (delivered across 2 days) will be in:

Location: Craigavon

Venue: Seagoe Hotel, Portadown

Dates: 7th & 21st February

Cost: £85 + VAT

*The fee includes: 2 days of training, electronic material, catering and up to 2 ½ day of one-to-one mentoring.

How to Register
For more information and to register, please contact either laurak@envision-ni.co.uk or nicola@envision-ni.co.uk or telephone (028) 90452777.

Cookstown Enterprise recently made its annual Christmas donation to three locally based charities. This year Cookstown Enterprise donated £200 to Mid Ulster Dementia Support, Cookstown & District Disability Forum and Mid Ulster Child Contact Centre.

Mid Ulster Dementia Support

(L-R) Jim Eastwood General Manager Cookstown EC, Evelyn McCartney from Mid Ulster Dementia Support and Trevor Wilson Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre.

Cookstown & District Disability Forum

(Back Row L-R) Mark Farquhar from Cookstown & District Disability Forum, Trevor Wilson Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre and Jim Eastwood General Manager Cookstown EC. (Front Row) Ursula Marshall from Cookstown & District Disability Forum.

Mid Ulster Child Contact Centre

(L-R) Trevor Wilson Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre, Vanessa Haddon from Mid Ulster Child Contact Centre and Jim Eastwood General Manager Cookstown EC.

In an ever changing and increasingly competitive marketplace innovation is integral to business growth and success. Co-Innovate is a business support initiative funded through the European Interreg Programme. This mentoring based programme is currently being delivered by Cookstown Enterprise to SMEs locally which have a track record of innovation or wish to embrace the opportunities provided by innovation.

Recently fifteen local businesses attended a Co-Innovate workshop hosted by Cookstown Enterprise. The information session was delivered by representatives from Intertrade Ireland which is the organisation responsible for the overall programme management throughout Ireland and certain regions of Scotland.

Delegates attending learned of the benefits of participating in the Co-Innovate programme including a business status review, an innovation audit and tailor made free business mentoring provided by specialist consultants.

The Co-Innovate initiative is led by cross-border body, InterTradeIreland, in partnership with Enterprise Northern Ireland, East Border Region, Local Enterprises Offices in the border region, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and will run for a three-year period providing significant benefits to the eligible participants. For further information and how to register please contact: Shauna Rooney on 028 86763660 or email shauna@cookstownenterprise.com

Please note that Cookstown Enterprise Centre will be closed from Monday 10th July and will reopen on Monday 17th July. We will reply to all correspondence on our return.

LAVISH NAILS & BEAUTY COOKSTOWN

Whatever your career option, you may want to work for yourself. The decision to become self-employed is a big step, though there is plenty of support and advice available to help you explore your business idea.

Siofraidh McCracken the proud proprietor of ‘Lavish Nails & Beauty’ William Street, Cookstown availed of advice and expertise on business planning, financial forecasting and marketing, helping her create a road map for her business.

Lavish Nails & Beauty offers a wide range of beauty treatments including acrylic & gelish nails, waxing & tinting, facials, spray tanning and make-up.

Siofraidh said “Cookstown Enterprise Centre was a fantastic source of support to me. I have no regrets in starting my own business. I advise anyone who has that light bulb moment to contact the Enterprise Centre and check out the feasibility of their idea like I did.”

Starting a new business can be exciting and rewarding, Cookstown Enterprise Centre can help you transform your business idea into reality.