NEWS

Hugh McGill and members of Ballycastle Runners welcoming another year’s sponsorship by McAuley Freight Ltd, represented by Aaron McAuley (right), as Marconi’s 5 Mile Race returns in Ballycastle. Ballycastle is set for another major day on the local sporting calendar next month as the Marconi’s 5 Mile Race returns on Sunday, 24 May 2026, with organisers confirming that McAuley Freight Ltd has joined Ballycastle Runners for a third consecutive year as one of the event’s main sp

North Antrim MP Jim Allister Households, farmers and haulage operators across Northern Ireland could soon see Westminster pressure mount for emergency tax relief on soaring fuel costs after North Antrim MP Jim Allister formally moved to bring the issue before the House of Commons. With diesel in Ballymena now reaching 189.9p per litre and unleaded climbing to 154.9p per litre, Mr Allister has this evening, Sunday 12 April, written to the Speaker of the House of Commons seeki

L-R: Martin McGrogan, Managing Director of MMG Contracts Ltd and Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland at the site of the new public house Lidl Northern Ireland has begun construction on a landmark new public house and associated off-sales beside its long-established Dundonald store in County Down, marking the retailer’s first venture of its kind and bringing its full award-winning range of wines, beers and spirits to the local community for

Asda Antrim raises funds for Dementia NI Asda Antrim has strengthened its support for the local community with backing for two separate initiatives — helping bring generations together in Randalstown through a community sports event and raising more than £6,000 for Dementia NI. The supermarket’s latest community efforts have seen Randalstown Ulster-Scots Society awarded a £600 grant through the Asda Foundation, while colleagues at the Antrim store have also completed a major

Concept drawing of Roe Park House demonstrating how the property would look if Galgorm Collection planning proposal approved. Galgorm Collection’s multi-million-pound transformation of Roe Valley Resort has taken another visible step forward, with plans submitted to restore the original Georgian entrance of historic Roe Park House. A Listed Building Consent application has been lodged with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council seeking approval to reinstate the former main

One of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality groups has announced a major new sponsorship deal with the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200, adding fresh commercial backing to one of the province’s biggest sporting and tourism events ahead of race week next month. Galgorm Collection confirmed it will become an inaugural sponsor of the internationally renowned road race for the first time, with the 2026 event set to run from May 4 to May 9 along the North Coast. The move bri

Uform in Toomebridge Uform has announced the acquisition of TKC in a landmark deal set to reshape the kitchen, bedroom and living space supply market across the UK and Ireland, marking a significant expansion for one of Northern Ireland’s best-known manufacturing and distribution businesses. The move sees the Mid Ulster-based group significantly broaden its reach across key trade channels while establishing a stronger physical presence in Great Britain, creating what the comp

Artist’s impression of the new Staycity aparthotel in Belfast city centre Construction work has officially begun on the first Staycity aparthotel in Northern Ireland, with the £20 million development set to bring 98 new guest units to the heart of Belfast city centre by May 2027. The project marks a significant investment in Belfast’s growing visitor economy and will also serve as the launch site for Staycity Group’s new brand concept, making the city the first location to s

Factory floor, Wrightbus Ballymena Ballymena-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus is taking a leading role in a new UK Government-backed project exploring whether autonomous vehicle technology could help tackle some of the most urgent challenges facing public transport, including chronic driver shortages, rising costs, and the pressure to decarbonise services. The zero-emission bus manufacturer has been selected as lead partner in ASPIRE, one of just eight projects chosen under t

Primark has officially launched its first-ever mobile app in Northern Ireland, marking a significant digital step for the high street retailer as it brings real-time stock checks, personalised notifications and store information directly to shoppers’ phones for the first time. The move means customers across Northern Ireland can now browse favourite items, check availability before travelling to store and receive updates on new collections — a major shift for a retailer whose

Power NI representative Natalie McCrory pictured with Michelle McCormack (Drake Music CEO) and Drake Music volunteers, participants, and parents . Power NI has donated £1,000 to Drake Music NI in a move set to expand access to cutting-edge music technology for hundreds of people across Northern Ireland, helping those with physical and cognitive disabilities create and perform music in new ways. The funding, awarded through the energy provider’s Brighter Communities initiative

The Bedford Hotel, set within the historic Scottish Mutual Building in Belfast city centre A landmark piece of Belfast’s architectural heritage has been brought back to life as The Bedford Hotel officially opened its doors to the public today, Wednesday, April 8, following a multi-million-pound restoration that has transformed the iconic Grade B1 listed Scottish Mutual Building into an 82-bedroom luxury boutique destination. The opening marks a major new addition to Belfast’s

The Team at Elite Lighting & Interiors in Ballymena Elite Lighting & Interiors marks 25 years as one of Ballymena’s best-known home and lighting retailers, celebrating a quarter-century in the town centre with a special anniversary sale and a renewed focus on growth. The long-established Church Street business, which first opened in Easter 2001, is marking the milestone by thanking customers for more than two decades of support and inviting shoppers to join in celebrations r

Motorists in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland will soon be able to explore one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle brands closer to home after Donnelly Group was appointed as an authorised BYD dealer. The move marks a significant expansion in the local electric vehicle market, with customers set to access the new BYD range at Donnelly Group’s Ballymena and Dungannon locations from mid-April. The appointment sees Northern Ireland’s largest independently owned

A safety initiative already supported by around 300 hospitality venues across Northern Ireland is set to be extended to shops in Ballymena. Retail staff in the town are to receive training as part of the Ask for Angela scheme, which provides a discreet way for people to seek help if they feel unsafe, threatened or vulnerable. Speaking at an online recent meeting of the Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership, PSNI Chief Inspector Siobhan Watt  said the

Ballymena shoppers are set to get a major new retail addition next week as The Food Warehouse opens its doors at Braidwater Retail Park on Tuesday 14 April, bringing an expanded range of grocery and household products, a jobs boost for the area, and a series of opening-day giveaways. The new large-format store, part of Iceland Foods, is expected to create 23 additional jobs for the local community and marks a significant expansion of the retailer’s presence in the town, wher

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has received plans for a new 154-caravan extension at Skerries Holiday Park in Portrush. The council’s planning department has recently received an application for 154 new static caravan pitches, along with associated amenity space, parking, and landscaping, on lands at and to the south-west of the existing park at 126 Dunluce Road. According to an accompanying Design and Access Statement , the site includes the access and front portio

Maire Claire Reid, Managing Director of TST Group, Ballymena Maire Claire Reid, Managing Director of TST Group , has been shortlisted for the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland 2026 programme, placing her among a select group of business leaders recognised for exceptional growth, innovation and leadership across the island of Ireland. The announcement marks a significant milestone for Reid and the international logistics business she co-founded with her family,

(L-R) Steven Kane, Senior Quality & Standards Advisor at Tourism NI pictured with Emma and Pete Hathaway, owners of Peatlands. A luxury countryside retreat near Ballymoney has received a major tourism boost after being awarded four stars by Tourism Northern Ireland’s Quality Grading Scheme, recognising the high standards, comfort and distinctive experience it offers visitors to the North Coast area. Peatlands, a secluded family-run accommodation business set within three acre

JF Travel, Ballymena Award-winning travel agency JF Travel is celebrating its first anniversary in Ballymena, marking a significant milestone for the growing independent business as it continues to expand its presence across Northern Ireland. The anniversary marks another step forward in the company’s steady growth journey, from a small office launch nearly a decade ago to a multi-branch business now serving customers across the region. A growing local success story Led by di