06/10/2026
๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐ช๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐น๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ
Take Two Film House proprietor takes the helm, with a vision to grow membership and strengthen the voice of businesses across the Mournes
Ryan Ward, proprietor of Take Two Film House, has been elected President of Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce following the Chamberโs Annual General Meeting, held on Tuesday 22nd September at the Nautilus Centre, Kilkeel Harbour.
Ryan succeeds Alan Knox of James Knox and Sons Ltd, who has served as President for the past eight years. Alan, who was appointed to the position eight years ago, will remain actively involved with the Chamber, taking up the role of Secretary.
The Chamber now enters a new chapter with a clear ambition: to grow its membership, strengthen its voice and ensure that businesses throughout Kilkeel and the wider Mournes area have a strong platform to connect, collaborate and grow.
A Lasting Contribution from Alan Knox
For the past eight years, Alan Knox has provided dedicated leadership to Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce, giving his time and expertise on a voluntary basis to support the local business community and represent the interests of businesses across the area.
Throughout his time as President, Alan has demonstrated outstanding commitment, professionalism and consistency in the role. He has worked tirelessly to promote Kilkeel as a place to do business, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and ensure that the Chamber continued to provide a strong and respected voice for the local business community.
Alanโs contribution has extended well beyond the responsibilities of the Presidency. His willingness to give his time, listen to members, engage with partners and represent the Chamber professionally has been greatly valued. His leadership has helped maintain continuity within the organisation while providing a solid foundation on which the new Chamber team can build.
The Chamber would like to express its sincere appreciation to Alan for his eight years of voluntary service, leadership and commitment. His contribution has made a significant difference to the Chamber and to the wider business community, and his decision to remain involved as Secretary will ensure that his knowledge, experience and understanding of the Chamber continue to benefit the organisation.
Alan has thanked past and present committee members, as well as the many local businesses that have supported the Chamber throughout his tenure, with a particular acknowledgement to the management and staff of Kilkeel Development Association for their ongoing support.
As he hands over the Presidency, Alan has wished Ryan and the newly elected Chamber team every success and said that he looks forward to continuing to work with Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce in the years ahead.
A New Chapter for Kilkeel Chamber
Ryan Ward takes on the Presidency at an exciting time for Kilkeel and the wider Mournes business community. Through his work with Take Two Film House, Ryan brings an entrepreneurial outlook and a strong understanding of the importance of communication, collaboration and promoting local businesses.
Speaking following his election, Ryan paid tribute to Alanโs contribution and outlined his ambitions for the Chamber.
โIโm looking forward to my term as Chamber President. Alan has given a huge amount of time and commitment to the Chamber over the past eight years, and I want to thank him for the foundations he has laid.
โMy aim now is to build on that work, grow our business membership and offer support and guidance to businesses across the Mournes area. There is a huge amount of talent, ambition and resilience within our local business community, and I want the Chamber to be a place where businesses can connect, share ideas and find opportunities to grow.โ
Ryan added:
โThe strength of a Chamber comes from its members. We want to encourage more businesses to get involved, whether they are established companies, independent retailers, professional services, new businesses or entrepreneurs starting out. Everyone has something to contribute, and by working together we can have a much stronger voice for business across the Mournes.โ
Five Priorities for the Year Ahead
Under Ryanโs leadership, Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce will focus on five key priorities during the coming year:
1. Grow Chamber Membership
The Chamber will actively encourage businesses from across Kilkeel and the wider Mournes area to become involved, creating a larger, more representative and more connected business network.
2. Give Local Business a Stronger Voice
The Chamber will continue to represent the interests of local businesses and engage with local government, public bodies and other stakeholders on the issues that matter to the business community.
3. Create More Opportunities to Connect
Through networking, events and collaboration, the Chamber will provide more opportunities for businesses to meet, develop relationships, share knowledge and identify new opportunities.
4. Support Business Growth and Development
The Chamber will seek to provide practical information, guidance and signposting to help businesses navigate challenges, develop their workforce and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.
5. Promote Kilkeel and the Mournes as a Great Place to Do Business
The Chamber will champion the achievements of local businesses and promote the Mournes as a dynamic, ambitious and welcoming place to invest, work, live and do business.
The Newly Elected Chamber Team
The newly elected Chamber team is:
President: Ryan Ward, Take Two Film House
Treasurer: Donna Cunningham, Cunningham Butchers, Food Hall & Steak House
Secretary: Alan Knox, James Knox and Sons Ltd
Committee Member: Chris Wallace, Bedwins Soft Furnishings
Administrative Support: Donna McConnell
Businesses Encouraged to Get Involved:
Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce is encouraging businesses across Kilkeel and the wider Mournes area to get involved and become part of the Chamberโs next chapter.
Membership is open to businesses of all sizes and across all sectors. The Chamber believes that a strong, active and representative membership is essential to ensuring that the voice of local business is heard and that opportunities for collaboration, networking and growth are created.
Whether you are an established business, an independent retailer, a professional service provider, a new business or an entrepreneur starting out, the Chamber would welcome your involvement.
Businesses interested in becoming members of Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce can contact the Chamber through its page, Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce, or by email at [email protected].
Ryan concluded:
โThis is about building something together. I want businesses to see Kilkeel Chamber as an organisation that is open, accessible and genuinely interested in helping them succeed. If you are a business in Kilkeel or anywhere across the Mournes, we would encourage you to get involved, come along, have your say and help us shape the future of our local business community.โ
