By Julie Waters
A powerful new alliance has been formed to give local businesses a stronger voice across Ards and North Down.
The newly launched Ards and North Down Business Forum brings together the five chambers of commerce from Newtownards, Comber, Donaghadee, Bangor and Holywood, marking a significant step forward in business collaboration across the borough.
Designed to tackle shared challenges and unlock opportunities, the forum will serve as a centralised voice for business, advocating for policies that support economic growth and championing the needs of local enterprises with government and key stakeholders.
By pooling their experience and resources, the chambers aim to boost investment, attract talent to the area, and strengthen the position of local businesses as vital employers and drivers of prosperity.
The forum also reflects a shared commitment to ensuring business interests are both represented and prioritised in the wider planning and development of the borough.
By leveraging their collective influence, the forum will ensure that the needs and contributions of businesses are recognised and prioritised in decisions that shape the borough’s future.
As the Ards and North Down Business Forum launches, it has called on businesses, policymakers and the wider community to join in supporting its mission.
Newtownards Chamber president, Derek Wright, said the borough’s businesses are the backbone of the economy, creating jobs, driving innovation and contributing to the vibrant communities we all enjoy.
“The Ards and North Down Business Forum is about ensuring that our collective voice is not just heard but respected. Together, we will work tirelessly to advocate for the support and recognition our businesses deserve.”
Bangor Chamber president Frank Shivers said: “Business is the cornerstone of the borough’s economy, driving wealth creation, innovation, and providing vital employment opportunities for residents.
“The establishment of the Ards and North Down Business Forum represents a significant step forward in ensuring the collective voice of business is not only heard but respected at all levels. It is a unified approach for advocacy and action which is lacking across the borough.”
