Issue 239 - East Down BT24 • BT30 • BT31 • BT33
Support Local Traders as Town Centres Recover
Christmas events across Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are well underway!
l-r David Ritchie, Translink customer and mobility scooter user, Angela Hutchison, Disability Action, Danielle Campbell, Translink Accessibility Manager and Michael Lorimer, IMTAC.
New Translink partnership keeps mobility scooter passengers better connected Public transport operator teams up with Disability Action to facilitate more mobility scooters across network including the East Down Area! Translink has launched a new partnership with Disability Action to deliver mobility scooter assessments at bus and rail stations to permit travel and ensure a safe, comfortable and convenient journey experience for the passenger. Danielle Campbell, Accessibility Manager, Translink, said: “We’re
committed to ensuring our services and facilities are accessible, inclusive and welcoming spaces, keeping everyone better connected. “We’ve listened to our customers and want to make the process of using mobility scooters on public transport as simple as possible, removing barriers to travel so it’s great to
join forces with Disability Action and give more people the opportunity to travel independently on our network, supporting social inclusion and their sense of wellbeing. “This new partnership with a charity that is an expert on mobility matters means we will be able to process mobility scooter
travel applications faster and reach as many people as possible to make them aware of the service available as well as give them the opportunity to ask any questions, building their confidence prior to travel.
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Not only do they bring communities together, foster a sense of unity and spread holiday cheer, they bring people into our commercial centres to help support our local businesses. This year, in the wake of the devastating flooding, the Council is encouraging residents to rally around and support business owners impacted by flooding to improve morale and local commerce in their town centres. Newry, Mourne and Downs District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “This really is a time for our communities to come together and celebrate the magic of the holiday season. There really is no better place to start the festivities than in your local community supporting your own traders. “We are mindful of both the ongoing flooding recovery process and our
commitment to supporting the traders who have reopened – a testament to the unwavering resilience of our businesses. Supporting local commerce at Christmas time has always been a Council priority. Businesses and traders are an integral part of our communities as they provide local jobs and services and its important that we get behind them. This year, now more than ever, we invite everyone to shop local this Christmas!’ With cities and towns across the area now lit up for Christmas please support your local traders whether shop retailers, market stall holders or hospitality outlets in your local towns, cities and villages. For additional information and updates, please visit our website For more www. visitmournemountains. co.uk/Christmas-events or follow us on social media at FB: @visitmourne.