NEWS

Tuesday 3 November 2026 The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has approved a further £2.16m in cost-cutting measures, bringing its total planned savings for 2026/27 to £52.16m, amid warnings that the latest proposals could lead to reductions in services. Despite the additional measures, the Trust still faces a £1.64m shortfall against its £53.8m savings target, which remains “unaddressed” in its financial plan for the current year. The Northern Trust provides health

Tuesday 3 November 2026 A £634,000 upgrade to an MRI scanner at Antrim Area Hospital has been approved by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board, while the cost of a separate car park expansion at Causeway Hospital has risen to £824,000 following the discovery of an invasive plant. The two developments were outlined at a recent Trust board meeting, with members approving improvements to diagnostic imaging equipment at Antrim and considering additional costs associate

Wednesday 28 October 2026 Patients across Ballymena and the wider Northern Trust area could receive more treatment at home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions this winter, as health authorities prepare for another challenging period for emergency departments, hospital beds and community services. New winter surge plans published across Northern Ireland set out measures to improve patient care, reduce ambulance handover delays and help medically fit patients leave hospit

Robin Swann MP & Ulster Unionist Party Airport District Electoral Area representative Ryan Kirkpatrick at Belfast International Airport Saturday 24 October 2026 A call to scrap or substantially reduce Air Passenger Duty (APD) on flights leaving Northern Ireland has been made ahead of the upcoming UK Budget, amid concerns that the tax is putting local airports at a competitive disadvantage against Dublin. South Antrim MP Robin Swann has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequ

Sunday 25 October 2026 Motorists are being warned of road closures across Northern Ireland after Storm Boelo brought down trees, blocking major routes and disrupting journeys to Belfast International Airport. Police have highlighted two particularly significant closures, including the Ballyrobin Road near the airport and the Glenshane Road, where fallen trees have made sections impassable. Drivers are being urged to exercise caution, allow additional travelling time and avoid

Friday 23 October 2026 Police are appealing for witnesses after burglars smashed their way into a house in Antrim, ransacked rooms and are believed to have stolen money. The break-in happened at a property in the Knockmoyle Drive area between 6pm and 7.40pm on Thursday 22 October, while the house was unoccupied. Rear patio doors were smashed and items were left strewn across floors as rooms throughout the property were searched. No injuries were reported. Police investigate s

CGI of the approved new Home Bargains store in Antrim Friday 23 October 2026 Plans for a new £8 million Home Bargains store in Antrim have been approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee, paving the way for a major retail investment expected to create 95 jobs and regenerate the former Townparks Car Sales site. The development, located at the junction of Ballymena Road and Springfarm Industrial Estate, will see the existing site transformed into a

Wednesday 21 October 2026 Plans for a new petrol filling station and retail outlet on Ballycraigy Road in Antrim have been unanimously approved by councillors, with a condition requiring a zebra crossing following concerns over pedestrian safety. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee granted reserved matters approval at its meeting in Mossley Mill on Monday evening (19 October). The development, proposed by Solo Direct Ltd, will include a petrol filling

Tuesday 20 October 2026 Northern Ireland’s leading emergency doctors have issued a stark warning that hospital emergency departments are already struggling to cope, with fears that the coming winter could push services into an even deeper crisis. A new survey by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has revealed widespread concern among senior A&E doctors, with seven of the eight Northern Ireland clinical leads who responded describing themselves as either very or ex

Sunday 18 October 2026 Plans to open a new ice cream parlour within the historic Clotworthy House at Antrim Castle Gardens have been unanimously approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee. The proposal will see the building’s existing shop, reception and garden exhibition area converted into an ice cream parlour with an indoor seating area, offering visitors another place to enjoy refreshments at one of the borough’s major tourist attractions. Co

Saturday 17 October 2026 A team of adventurous colleagues from Asda Antrim have raised more than £5,000 for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke (NICHS), taking on a daring skydive and the Belfast Half Marathon to support a cause close to their hearts. The fundraising effort saw staff leap from an aircraft over County Londonderry before swapping their parachutes for running shoes to tackle a 21.1km course through Belfast. For one colleague, the challenge was particularly

Lisa Burrows, Greenmount Association President, encourages the class of 1966 to attend the 60-year reunion. Saturday 17 October 2026 Former students who attended Greenmount Campus in Antrim are being invited to turn back the clock and reconnect with old friends as the Class of 1966 prepares to celebrate its 60-year reunion. The special gathering, organised by the Greenmount Association, will take place on Friday 23 October, bringing former classmates together six decades afte

Asda Antrim Customer and Community Champion Ashley Ricthie and Service Colleague Mary Letch Tuesday 13 October 2026 A colourful fundraising event at Asda Antrim has raised £358.46 for breast cancer charities, bringing customers and colleagues together to support a cause that has touched the lives of many families. The store hosted a ‘Spin to Win’ game and merchandise stall as part of Asda’s annual Tickled Pink campaign, with shoppers trying their luck at winning prizes while

(L-R) New managerial appointments at McKeever Hotels: Jonny Bailie, Scott Smyth, and Kris Cunningham Tuesday 13 October 2026 McKeever Hotels has appointed three general managers to lead some of its best-known hotels in Northern Ireland, with new leadership at Dunadry Hotel & Gardens, Dunsilly Hotel and Corrs Corner Hotel. The appointments see Jonny Bailie take charge at Dunadry Hotel & Gardens in Antrim, Scott Smyth become General Manager at Dunsilly Hotel, also in Antrim, an

Tuesday 13 October 2026 Antrim Castle Gardens will be transformed into a spectacular festive wonderland this December as the popular Enchanted Winter Garden returns with new rides, dazzling light displays and a host of Christmas attractions for families. Running from 2 to 28 December, the event will also offer discounted tickets for Antrim and Newtownabbey residents, dedicated inclusive evenings and free shuttle buses to help visitors enjoy the festivities. With tickets start

Newly appointed Chief Executive of Northern Health and Social Care Trust, David Burns Monday 12 October 2026 David Burns, the current Chief Executive of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, has been appointed as the new permanent Chief Executive of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, taking on responsibility for one of Northern Ireland’s major health and social care organisations at a challenging time for services. His appointment marks a change in leadership for the

Discussing plans for the Meet the Showbox Sires meeting are: Jim Stevenson, president, and Kenny Watson, chairman, Holstein NI, with James Woods, World Wide SIres. (Picture: Mullagh Photography) Sunday 11 October 2026 Dairy farmers and pedigree cattle breeders from across Northern Ireland will have an opportunity to learn directly from internationally recognised Holstein breeding specialists at a meeting in Antrim on Monday evening, 12 October. The Holstein NI event, ‘Meet th

Charlie, a therapy dog who makes weekly visits to the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital, pictured with his owner Ivan. Saturday 10 October 2026 Eight-year-old collie Charlie has been recognised for bringing comfort and companionship to patients receiving cancer care at Antrim Area Hospital, as the Northern Health and Social Care Trust appeals for more dogs, cats and their owners to join its volunteering programme. Charlie and his owner Ivan make weekly visits to the hosp

Friday 09 October 2026 Families who have experienced the loss of a baby or child are being invited to come together for a series of remembrance events across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area during Baby Loss Awareness Week, from 9–15 October. Causeway Hospital in Coleraine will be illuminated in blue and pink to mark the annual awareness campaign, which offers families opportunities to remember precious lives, share memories and find support. Events include a sp

Friday 09 October 2026 Staff at Dalriada Urgent Care have been made aware of impending redundancies after two Health Trusts gave formal notice that their Phone First contracts will end next month. A concerned member of staff told Love Ballymena that employees have been made aware of impending redundancies following the decision by the Northern and South Eastern Health Trusts to terminate contracts with effect from the end of November. Dalriada Urgent Care provides the call ha