News Letter

NI’s only barber shop and railway museum makes final cut..and needs your vote as Northern Ireland’s sole finalist in the UK Love Your High Street Awards From celebrity visitors like Gloria Hunniford, Richard Wilson, Adrian Dunbar, and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, to families seeking connection with local history, Headhunters is the only finalist from Nort...

Watch: Unique Enniskillen family barber shop ‘overwhelmed’ after making national award final — can you help them win the crown?

Northern Ireland housing firm reaches the gold standard in people management..it 'recognises all the hard work at all levels and departments' The housing association, which provides 6,000 homes to people throughout Northern Ireland and employs just over 320 people, has held Silver accreditation since 2005

Northern Ireland housing association praised for putting 'people at its heart' after getting prestigious Gold accreditation by Investors in People

Popular Northern Ireland postmaster 'overwhelmed' by messages and visits from customers' after retiring following 26 years of service From Wellworths store to Spencer Road Post Office, popular postmaster Dermot McCorriston retires...'I now have time to relax and think of my future plans'

'I want to say a big thank you to all of my loyal customers’: Beloved Co Londonderry postmaster retires after 26 years at the heart of the community

'An intrusion on a previously unspoiled environment' Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has asked for an “in-depth review” of the potential impact on tourism by a proposal to locate an off-shore wind farm “near Glenarm”.

Visitors may perceive proposed off-shore wind farm near Glenarm 'an intrusion on a previously unspoiled environment', says council

Belfast Council pulls out of work linked to 900-bed student block hotels feared would damage tourism sector: Six-figure sum from the developer to be scrapped Belfast Council is to pull out of work linked to a 900-bed block of student housing that hotels feared would hurt the tourism sector when it’s rented out as AirBnB-style rooms over summer.

Council ditches work on 900-bed student block hotels feared would damage tourism

Ballymena marquee hire firm delivers world-class infrastructure for Northern Ireland’s biggest-ever sporting event Eventco Marquees plays key behind-the-scenes role, which successfully delivered temporary event structures for the prestigious event in partnership with global provider Arena Group

Dunloy marquee hire firm delivers stellar performance at The 153rd Open Championship..'Being involved in such a world-class event — right on our doorstep — was a proud moment'

How a Belfast woman was brought to tears helping families thrive through sharing, not spending..'I didn’t expect to cry over a baby travel set' Love Your Local: East Belfast’s Meg Magill reveals why The Wee Swap is more than just a clothes swap – it’s a movement where a baby grow to a bedtime story has a new chapter waiting

Strapped for cash? The Belfast Wee Swap lets you give and get for free.. a reminder that second-hand is first-class

Plans to transform office space into new Belfast leisure destination featuring ten-pin bowling, indoor golf and children's soft play to get green light New leisure development near Boucher Road set to enhance Belfast’s entertainment offering bowling, VR gaming, soft play and more for both families and tourists

Plans for a multimillion-pound transformation of former Adelaide Business Centre into major Belfast entertainment centre recommended for approval

"I have no doubt these projects will assist in local economic growth, creating better opportunities for everyone.” The Coleraine campus of Ulster University is to get a £22m Centre for Food & Drug Discovery thanks to the Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal.

£22m Centre for Food & Drug Discovery set for Coleraine's Ulster Uni campus

Northern Ireland agency celebrates landmark 250th shopify website as clients surpass £20million in monthly sales Glaze Digital celebrates two major milestones – the launch of its 250th Shopify-powered website and its clients collectively surpassing £20 million in monthly online sales

Double celebration as Belfast agency powers 'phenomenal success' and solidifies its position as a leader in e-commerce

Bangor Castle to become hotel: Council decides move is best option for grade A listed 19th century building it owns A Victorian landmark could become a privately-run hotel, after the council that owns it decided to move out of the grade A listed public building.

Bangor Castle to become hotel: Council decides move is best option for grade A listed 19th century building it owns

Relief as businesses and community welcome first hour free parking at Lurgan car park Businesses and shoppers in Lurgan voice relief that an international car parking firm has introduced one hour’s free parking at a former church run car park.

Businesses and locals relieved as Euro Parks introduce free first hour parking at Lurgan car park

From local lads to national TV names..Northern Ireland stars set to launch new podcast BBC stars and best mates James and Joel bring raw humour, viral magic, and unfiltered conversation to the mic in their chaotic new podcast – and no topic is off limits

From Belfast to the big time: James Blake and Joel M launch no-holds-barred podcast 'Nobody Asked'

Two River Island outlets in Northern Ireland set for closure as part of nationwide upheaval River Island is set to push ahead with plans to shut 33 shops after receiving court approval for a major restructuring.

Two River Island outlets in Northern Ireland set for closure as part of nationwide upheaval

Hundreds of companies to unite as Northern Ireland’s £16 billion manufacturing industry gathers for flagship event With £16bn in economic value and nearly 100,000 jobs at stake, key players from across Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector unite to discuss innovation, supply chains, and the future of industry

'Lisburn is proud': 2,500 delegates set to attend Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturing and supply chain conference this September

Co Antrim man 'delighted' to be appointed onto LEDCOM’s board of directors Former Danske Bank executive brings decades of financial expertise to support enterprise growth in Larne and Ballyclare

Ballyclare banking leader joins LEDCOM board as centre marks 40 years of economic impact..this 'is something that’s very close to my heart'

Opening date revealed for Northern Ireland’s first ever Lego store...and all fans are invited The new LEGO store is set to launch at Victoria Square Shopping Centre in Belfast on Thursday, August 28, with doors opening to the public at 9am

'This is great news': LEGO set to open first store in Northern Ireland this month

Pay row to shut Belfast leisure centres next week as staff strike - union vows 'militant campaign of industrial action' as management dispute claim workers have lower wages than rest of Northern Irela... Belfast’s leisure centres could be forced to close next week as staff go on strike over wages, with a union promising “a militant campaign of industrial action until we get justice”.

Pay row to shut Belfast leisure centres next week as staff strike - union vows 'militant campaign of industrial action' as management dispute claim workers have lower wages than rest of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland private GP provider secures £4.5million series A investment to fuel clinic expansion, digital growth and job creation With new sites planned for 2025 and 2026, Duality Healthcare aims to deliver faster, more affordable private GP care to local communities, while creating jobs and supporting the regional health system

'Securing this investment is a significant milestone': Duality Healthcare raises £4.5million to expand GP services and help ease pressure on NHS in Northern Ireland

Two Northern Ireland firms partner on a 'Discovery Sprint' to develop a prototype app MCO Performance and GCD Technologies complete Discovery Sprint to create a prototype platform aimed at boosting productivity, accountability, and growth in business development teams

Northern Ireland firms unite to develop AI-powered sales enablement app for professional services sector

Award-winning UK law firm hires new Northern Ireland partner, turbocharging commercial real estate capabilities Based in TLT’s Belfast office, Jonathan O’Hagan has joined from DWF, bringing over 10 years of experience in the real estate sector

Top real estate lawyer 'excited' to join UK law firm as Belfast real estate partner to drive Northern Ireland growth

'This is a defining moment': Northern Ireland's AI economy on track to double by 2028, new report reveals Launched at the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre at Ulster University, AI Capability Census reveals £188m AI economy, 1,340-strong workforce and a roadmap for doubling growth by 2028

'Artificial intelligence will transform our economy': New report reveals 198 active AI firms and 1,340 professionals across Northern Ireland

Former JJB Sports store in Northern Ireland gets new lease of life as indoor padel centre plans approved Powerhouse Padel kicks off major redevelopment at Hanover Place, bringing sport, fitness, and community back to the heart of the town

New signage signals start of major revamp at former JJB Sports site as world’s fastest-growing sport comes to Co Londonderry

'It has been an incredible journey': Northern Ireland artisan bakers experience a ‘rise’ in success..opening third outlet and there's more to come Bodega Bagels has opened its third outlet at HALT at Weavers Cross – transforming the former Europa Buscentre into a thriving food destination – following strategic support from the Go Succeed busines...

'A rapidly rising success story': Government officials visit homegrown bagel brand as it opens new flagship shop and bakery

Call for urgent action on Carrickfergus town centre as 'continual' drop in visitor numbers is revealed Carrickfergus town centre ‘desperately’ needs an intervention to tackle continual decreases in the number of people it is attracting.

Call for action on Carrick town centre as drop in visitor numbers revealed

Creditors' meeting scheduled for company formerly linked to Northern Ireland hotel Liquidation process for 15CR Hotels Ltd, once associated with Londonderry’s Da Vinci’s Hotel, set to begin as creditors gather on August 14

Creditors of company formerly associated with Northern Ireland hotel to meet next week

'Still a long way off meeting housing need': Private housebuilding only bright spot in Northern Ireland construction slump Surveyors report falling workloads and squeezed margins, as private housebuilding stands alone in growth while public sector and commercial workloads decline

More homes being built despite development challenges but Northern Ireland’s construction sector 'remains subdued' with fall in workload

Northern Ireland busniesses show resilience amid global shifts, with 79% trading well or reasonably Despite challenges from new trade arrangements and rising costs, NI firms remain robust – yet call for greater clarity on future changes with EU, US, and GB markets

'Our research highlights the tenacity and resilience of Northern Ireland businesses': Four in five local firms continue to trade well despite headwinds

Dodging the dirt: Dog fouling complaints soar in Northern Ireland yet fines drop by 50%...but where's the worst areas? Despite receiving almost 16,000 complaints relating to dog fouling over the past five years, local authorities have issued just 800 fixed penalty notices in the same period..with new data revealing Be...

'People in Northern Ireland are fed up': Councils under fire as dog fouling fines fall despite thousands of complaints

Award for Larne-based coffee brand that started life as lockdown passion project A Larne-based coffee brand that started life as a lockdown passion project has received a top business accolade.

Northern Ireland coffee brand picks up top business award