In February a Metro North themed event was held in the Metro Hotel, Santry Cross on behalf of Ballymun4Business. The event was well attended by local businesses, elected representatives, impending General Election candidates and community development representatives. Robert Murphy, Nans SuperValu Ballymun, undertook the role of MC and introduced presentations by Jeremiah Ryan Active Online and Railway Procurement Agencies Metro North Project Managers.

Jeremiah Ryan, website developer with Active Online, gave a presentation around the functionality of the Ballymun4Business website as a local commerce tool, advertising and promoting Ballymun as a local shopping destination. The Railway Procurement Agency; Metro North project managers and Metro North public consultation representatives presented the impending works. The RPA promoted its general aim for the design and construction works and how they intended avoiding impact on existing businesses. Also promoted at the event was a Dublin City Urban Cargo initiative, a new and eco-friendly mode for transporting stock for local business. The vehicle ensures that deliveries are more customer friendly than traditional delivery trucks; provide a long-term solution of greater access through city streets and pedestrian routes; flexibility in terms of delivery times and loading, and cost-effectiveness for operating businesses.

Ballymun4Business Group Photo	Presenter Jeremiah Ryan Active Online
Ballymun4Business Attendees	Metro Hotel and Travelodge Hotel Senior Management
Shane O Brien & Bernadette Dempsey Bank of Ireland	Fiona Descoteaux & Donald MacCaulay

The Ballymun4Business website is a local commerce tool similar to Groupon, which promotes special offers on a City by City basis. The purpose of the Ballymun4Busines website is to assist, promote local business in the Ballymun area and provide a special offer promotion/subscription service to the local community. Local business will be able to advertise their business for free in the business listing directory. They will also be able to avail of a "premium listing" service, wherein they can upload additional information including special offers. Visitors to the website can subscribe to a weekly update containing all new special offers available in the Ballymun area, entered by premium listing subscribers only.

Martin Griffin Ballymun Town Centre	Coldwell Banker Property Associates
Ballymun4Business Attendees	Marian Fanning Bank of Ireland
Mary Denise Fitzgerald, Tom Manning & Mark Williams	John Crowley & Robert Murphy

Keeping Ballymun Open for Business Railway Procurement Agency (RPA); Metro North Project team aim to maintain pedestrian access to all premises , also access for servicing and deliveries, and access to existing car parks. Minimum disruption to the environment in Ballymun will be achieved through careful planning and execution of works. Through active communication and liaison with the business community and public the RPA; Metro North Project team will engage the general community in the project. There will be an appointed Community Liaison Officier dedicated to the Ballymun area, and up to date information through meetings and other communications will be provided. For more information please click on www.slideshare.net/RailwayProcurementAgency/ballymun-feb18-2011final.

MC Robert Murphy thanked both Jeremiah Ryan from Active Online and the RPA Metro North Project Management Team for their informative presentations, we believe that the Ballymun4Business group and website will become a major part of the commerce infrastructure in Ballymun.

For Further information please contact Enterprise Development Executive Gerard Mc Loughlin gerard@ballymun.org.