NEWS

One of London’s famous red Routemaster buses undergoing extensive refurbishment by Ballymena headquartered Wrightbus London’s famous red Routemaster buses are being given a new lease of life through a major refurbishment programme led by Ballymena-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus. The latest bus to complete the programme has returned to passenger service after a comprehensive overhaul, with dozens more set to follow over the coming year as part of a project designed to extend

A husband-and-wife team who transformed a Ballymena warehouse into one of Northern Ireland’s most popular family attractions are about to do it again. This August, Chris and Joanna Robinson, the founders of the hugely successful Honeybees Playtown, will open the doors to LEVEL UP Entertainment Centre — a brand new attraction designed to bring children, teenagers and adults together for a completely different kind of family day out. Opening next door to Honeybees in Pennybridg

Ulster Unionist MLA Dr Steve Aiken The Windsor Framework continues to present practical challenges for consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland, according to Ulster Unionist MLA Dr Steve Aiken, who has highlighted a series of unresolved issues ranging from online shopping charges to steel imports and VAT on household energy. Speaking after a meeting of the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee on Thursday (23 July), Dr Aiken said members examined several emergin

South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann has renewed calls for a reduced rate of VAT for Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector after the UK Government announced fresh business rates relief for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England. The Ulster Unionist MP said the new measures for England highlight the need for similar support tailored to Northern Ireland, arguing local businesses continue to face rising costs while competing with significantly lower hosp

Four centuries of Ballymena’s creative heritage will be celebrated this August as local people are invited to step inside the world of traditional craftsmanship at a free evening showcase featuring live demonstrations, hands-on workshops and an exhibition exploring the town’s rich making tradition. The Traditional Crafts Showcase, hosted by Midtown Makers Gift Shop on Thursday 20 August, forms part of both Ballymena’s 400th anniversary celebrations and August Craft Month—Irel

Dunnes Head Office in Dublin. An East Antrim MLA says he was left waiting in the reception of Dunnes Stores’ headquarters for more than seven hours after travelling to Dublin to discuss the future of the retailer’s long-vacant Larne town centre building — but no one came to meet him. Danny Donnelly made the journey to the company’s head office on Friday, 24 July, to personally deliver a letter to Dunnes Stores CEO Margaret Heffernan after years of unsuccessful attempts by loc

Georgie Briota, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection is pictured with the Warriors. Netball NI has announced the extension of its partnership with Galgorm Collection. Netball Northern Ireland’s national team has received a timely boost ahead of the Commonwealth Games after Galgorm Collection agreed to extend its sponsorship for a further three years. The renewed partnership will provide continued financial support for the governing body, helping clubs across No

A Ballymena property investment company has strengthened its growing retail portfolio with the acquisition of one of Derry’s best-known retail parks in a move that underlines continued confidence in Northern Ireland’s retail warehouse market. Magmel (Ballymena) Limited, headed by Ryan Walker and owners of Fairhill Shopping Centre and Braidwater Retail Park in Ballymena, as well as Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine, completed the purchase of Faustina Retail Park in Derry last

A former Salvation Army hall in Coleraine could be set for a transformation with plans lodged for a proposed urgent care health centre Plans have been submitted to transform a former Salvation Army hall in Coleraine into a private urgent healthcare centre offering walk-in medical appointments as an alternative to NHS services. The application, lodged with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, seeks permission to convert the former Salvation Army building at 152 Ballycastl

A growing partnership with Transport for Wales (TfW) has delivered another boost for Ballymena-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus, with a new fleet of buses now carrying passengers across Wales and further electric vehicles already on order. The latest milestone sees 14 new Wrightbus double-deck diesel buses enter service on the TrawsCymru network, while the company has also secured a contract to build six zero-emission single-deck electric buses for delivery in 2027. For Wrigh

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon is pictured with Anna Tait, owner of Ahoghill based business EJs Country Kitchen who had secured grant funding from an earlier round of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. An Ahoghill family-run food business that expanded its kitchen and introduced new dining experiences with the help of a rural development grant is being highlighted as more local businesses are encouraged to apply for funding of up to £7,500. EJs

The newly refurbished bedrooms at The Lodge Hotel in Coleraine after family-owned McKeever Hotels completed a £1.8 million investment to modernise the hotel and enhance the guest experience. A £1.8 million investment has transformed all of the bedrooms at The Lodge Hotel in Coleraine, with owners McKeever Hotels saying the refurbishment is designed to meet growing demand for high-quality accommodation on Northern Ireland’s North Coast. The major upgrade comes just a year afte

CGI showing overview of proposals for Ballee Playing Fields, Ballymena A £15 million proposal that would transform the former Ballee Playing Fields into a major mixed-use development featuring sports facilities, a community hub, healthcare provision and commercial investment has formally been submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The long-awaited planning application would redevelop one of Ballymena’s most prominent gateway sites, bringing a floodlit football faci

Shoppers using the M&S store at Aldergrove can expect a significantly larger food hall, hundreds of new products and up to 25 new jobs after the retailer confirmed plans for a major expansion. The store will temporarily close at 6pm on Saturday 1 August while work is carried out, before reopening in the autumn following an extensive refurbishment. Store set to double in size The biggest change will see the existing M&S store expand into the neighbouring service station unit,

Aerial view of the existing Guest House complex. A long-established guest house on the outskirts of Ballymoney could be converted back into a private family home after a planning application was lodged with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The application seeks permission to change the use of Harmony Hill Guest House and Restaurant, at 60–64 Balnamore Road, from guest accommodation to a single domestic dwelling. A return to the building’s original purpose Planning do

Summer camps across Northern Ireland have the chance to claim free ice lollies this summer as Iceland Foods launches a limited giveaway aimed at helping community groups keep young people cool during the school holidays. The supermarket chain is giving away 160 rocket ice lollies to each of 10 successful camps, with sports camps, school clubs and community-led summer schemes all eligible to apply. How to apply Camp organisers who would like to take part should email...

One of Northern Ireland’s biggest annual motoring events will return to Ballymena Showgrounds this summer, with organisers now appealing for businesses to help make the charity fundraiser its most successful yet. Motorfest NI 2026 will take place on Sunday 23 August, bringing together hundreds of cars, motorcycles, trucks, tractors, automotive clubs and exhibitors, alongside thousands of enthusiasts and families from across Northern Ireland. Organised by the Community Rescue

Asda Antrim Community Champion Ashley Ritchie donating essentials to The Shed after a devastating fire A women’s community group in Antrim is beginning to rebuild after a devastating fire left its premises unsafe, thanks to emergency funding that will help members replace essential equipment and continue supporting some of the area’s most vulnerable people. Antrim Ladies Shed has received a £1,500 emergency grant from the Asda Foundation, along with £150 worth of essential su

Jo Bamford CBE, Executive Chairman of Wrightbus Wrightbus is expanding into Australia as the Ballymena-based manufacturer continues to grow its international footprint and strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading zero-emission bus makers. The move marks another significant milestone for the company, which this year celebrates its 80th anniversary and now has more than 3,000 zero-emission buses in service across the UK and Europe. It also follows a series of major

With another school year now at an end, ten teachers and school staff from across the Ballymena area have been recognised after hundreds of local pupils nominated the people who made the biggest difference to their lives in the classroom. The winners of Ballymena BID’s popular ‘Treat Your Teacher’ competition were announced following an overwhelming response from families, with children sharing heartfelt stories of kindness, encouragement, patience and support shown throughou