B4b supporting businesses through Covid-19
Ballymun Business Network Demonstrate Community Spirit
Ballymun, on Dublin’s north side, has had its long and complex history but in recent years has been paving its own way as one of the country’s fastest growing towns with world giants such as Ikea and Decathlon choosing Ballymun as its Irish base.
Like all businesses around the country, COVID19 has had a negative impact on the local economy with most services closing its doors for many weeks. However, for local business network ‘Ballymun 4 Business’, the difficult period served only as a reason to step up and show community spirit now more than ever.
B4B was established in March 2017 with the objective of ensuring that all its members maximise the business opportunities that are open to them, gain referrals, avail of supports and training and stay informed about plans for the area. It also serves to give local business people the chance to get involved in community initiatives and to have a say in what’s going on, playing an active part in the economic development of Ballymun.
Over the past couple of months B4B have facilitated for various participants to come forward and offer advice and guidance to its members in a series of virtual meetings, seminars and presentations. The business networking group covered such areas as;
-Covid 19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme presented by Eoin Murray of Murray & Co Chartered Accountants.
-Accessing Financial Supports & Cashflow Management presented by Eimear Fitzgerald of AIB.
-Local Enterprise Office Business Supports Available presented by Dave Connolly from LEO.
-Adapting to Working from Home presented by Aoife O’Brien of Empowerment Coaching.
-Returning to Work Post Covid presentation presented by Bernie McNeel of Eco Online.
-How to Increase your Digital Presence presented by Marie Claire Byard of Now Media.
-Virtual Meditation Session presented by Babs Leonard of HeartSpace Meditation.
B4B Chairman and owner of Nans Super Valu, Robert Murphy said: “I’m very proud of Ballymun. It has some fantastic businesses and amazing people with a wide array of talent and expertise. When the impacts of COVID hit us we felt it was important not to go quiet but in fact shout louder than ever on behalf of our members to help navigate them through these difficult times. I’m delighted to be able to say we have a great sense of community among the businesses in Ballymun and I feel we were really able to help each other out at a time when we all needed a little help from each other. The reaction to our events has been very positive and I think Ballymun will come out of this period stronger than ever.”
One member, John Rowan of Biz Expo commented, “Just a quick line to compliment the fantastic work the B4B steering committee have done this year. The support offered and the community spirit created has been really impressive.”
Ballymun 4 Business continues to grow and currently has 62 members. As they build even further on their business network they have become a national example of the benefit of establishing similar enterprise initiatives and demonstrate how they can positively serve the community and have a positive impact on their members, customers and the local economy.
For more information or to get in contact:
Website: www.b4b.ie
email: info@b4b.ie
Chairperson: Robert Murphy. 0872902566. 810-Ballymun-Owner@supervalu.ie
