NEWS

A customer uses a Royal Mail locker (Photos: Royal Mail) Royal Mail has taken a significant step in reshaping how people send and collect parcels in Northern Ireland, launching its first-ever parcel lockers across four key locations — including Ballymena. The move marks a clear shift towards greater flexibility for customers, as online shopping and second-hand marketplaces continue to grow at pace. With 24/7 access in busy, high-footfall areas, the lockers are designed to mak

Belfast International Airport, County Antrim A major international accolade has placed Northern Ireland’s busiest airport firmly on the European stage — with Belfast International Airport crowned Best Airport at Departures (5 to 15 million passengers) in Europe. The award, presented as part of the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Awards by Airports Council International (ACI), recognises excellence in the departing passenger experience — and is based ent

(L-R) Paula Marshall, Volunteer Service Manager, Northern Health and Social Care Trust; Ita McErlean, Secretary, Causeway Hospital Radio; Vinny Hurrell, BBC NI Radio Presenter; Rodney Magee, Chairman, Causeway Hospital Radio; Louise Gillespie, Volunteering Programme Delivery Officer, Northern Health and Social Care Trust. The power of a friendly voice can mean everything to someone in a hospital bed — and this week, volunteers behind Northern Trust’s hospital radio service we

Antrim Jobs and Benefits Office Employer Adviser, Natasha Lamont, The Junction Retail & Leisure Park Director, Chris Flynn, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick and Business Development Project Officer, Jessica Smyth. For anyone in Antrim considering a fresh start — whether that means improving wellbeing, building confidence or stepping into new employment — a free support event later this month aims to make that next step easier. The Wellbeing and Em

Castlewood Holiday Park, in Antrim, unveils new luxury accommodation and enhanced visitor facilities Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has welcomed the completion of the 5-star Blair’s Castlewood Holiday Park development at Shane’s Castle, marking a significant investment in local tourism on the shores of Lough Neagh. The expanded Castlewood Holiday Park introduces new luxury accommodation and enhanced visitor facilities, strengthening the borough’s position as a short-

Ballymena teen Eva-Lilly Beckett selected to represent Ireland at the 2026 Europe Netball Under 17 Championships A Ballymena Academy pupil has been selected to represent Ireland at the 2026 Europe Netball Under 17 Championships, with Eva-Lilly Beckett earning a place in the Ireland U17 squad following a competitive international trial process. Eva-Lilly, who is from Ballymena and plays her club netball with Antrim Ladies Netball Club , will compete at the prestigious tournam

Belfast International Airport will host its second Jobs Fair of 2026 later this month, offering more than 100 full-time, part-time and seasonal vacancies as it prepares for the busy summer season and continues its £100 million investment programme. The recruitment event will take place on Saturday 21 February at The Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim, from 11am to 3pm , with airport teams and partner companies on hand to discuss roles, salaries and benefits. Wide range of roles across

Antrim-based Kinexc Energy raised more than £10,500 for Community Rescue Service – the company’s Charity of the Year for 2025 Five-figure donation supports suicide prevention and missing persons searches across Northern Ireland Antrim-based gas network operator Kinecx Energy has raised more than £10,500 for Community Rescue Service (CRS), providing a significant boost to the charity’s life-saving operations across Northern Ireland. A series of co-ordinated fundraising events

The proposed site for the new Home Bargains store in Antrim, and inset, the newly built Home Bargains store in Ballymena which opened in 2025 Plans for a major new Home Bargains store in Antrim have moved forward after Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council approved a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) submitted by TJ Morris Ltd. The approval marks the first formal stage in the planning process and paves the way for public consultation on proposals to develop a new discoun

South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to make urgent investment in the deteriorating road network surrounding Belfast International Airport and the M2 motorway, warning that the current condition poses safety risks and damages vehicles on one of Northern Ireland’s most important transport corridors. Highlighting the scale of the problem, Mr Swann said the state of the roads serving the airport and M2 w

Mossley Mill, County Antrim Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has agreed one of the lowest district rate increases in Northern Ireland, striking a 2.99% rise for the 2026/27 financial year at a Special Council Meeting held on Monday 9 February. The modest increase, which is lower than the current rate of inflation, will apply across the borough and equates to an additional £14.67 per year, or 28 pence per week, for an average household. One of the lowest rates increase

Millhouse Dale, Antrim The proposed change of use of a four-bedroom apartment to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) at 33 Millhouse Dale, Antrim, was approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee at a recent meeting. Planning officer Ashleigh Wilson told the committee that 30 objections had been received, raising issues including insufficient parking and traffic concerns, potential noise and disturbance, negative impacts on the character of the ar

Emergency departments across Northern Ireland are under sustained pressure, with rising demand, sicker patients and long waits continuing to challenge the health service, new figures release today (Thursday 5 February 2026) from the Department of Health (DoH) show. The latest bulletin covers all new and unplanned attendances at emergency care departments (EDs) during October, November and December 2025. It provides a detailed picture of how long patients are waiting, how many

Dead fish in Four Mile Burn, a tributary of the Six Mile Water river in May 2024 A County Antrim farmer has been convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court following a slurry pollution incident that killed more than 1,100 fish across two local waterways, prompting renewed political calls for tougher penalties for environmental offences. Seamus Kane (52), of Ballymena Road, Doagh, was convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ballymena under Article 7(1)(a) of the Water (N

Sixmile Leisure Centre, Ballyclare Energy cost-cutting measures have reduced Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s bills by £220,000, according to a report to councillors. The report, due to be presented to a meeting of the borough council’s Operations Committee at Antrim Civic Centre on Monday evening, January 26, also indicates a nine per cent decrease in energy consumption during the first three quarters of the 2025/26 financial year compared with the same period in 20

Missing Antrim man Mervyn Fletcher Police in Antrim have issued an appeal for information as concern grows for a 69-year-old man who has been reported missing. Mervyn Fletcher was last seen on the Springfarm Road area of Antrim between midday and 2pm on Wednesday 28 January. Officers say efforts to locate him have so far been unsuccessful and they are urging the public to assist. Inspector Boyd said: “Mervyn was last seen on the Springfarm Road in Antrim between midday and 2p

TJ Morris Ltd, owner of Home Bargains, has acquired the former car showroom site in Antrim and plans to expands its retail footprint Discount retailer Home Bargains is planning a significant expansion in Antrim, with proposals lodged to convert a former car showroom into what would be its 33rd store in Northern Ireland. TJ Morris Ltd, the Liverpool-based company behind the popular discount chain, has submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to Antrim and Newtownabbey

A new free Digital Skills training programme aimed at people who are deaf or have hearing loss is being rolled out across Northern Ireland, with accessible sessions taking place in local libraries throughout February and March. The initiative, delivered by AdaptNI and supported by the Department of Finance, is designed to tackle digital exclusion by providing deaf-aware, visual and practical training tailored to the everyday needs of people who often face barriers when acces

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has backed a motion supporting the use of silent fireworks at council events and on council-owned property. The motion was proposed by Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM at a meeting of the council in Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, on Monday evening. Cllr Dunlop asked the council to note the “negative impact” the noise of fireworks can have on children, pets and livestock, and called for a council-led campaign to raise awareness of

(L-R) Stacey McAlister Operations Director Mount Charles; Gavin Annon Chief Strategy Officer Mount Charles; Kate Sherry Chief Commercial Officer Belfast International Airport Mount Charles Group has announced a £1 million investment to transform the food and beverage offering at Belfast International Airport, marking a significant upgrade as part of the airport’s wider £100 million transformation programme. The investment will see a major revamp of the airport’s Northern Quar