NEWS

Cranmore’s James Galbraith pictured with Cranmore’s two awards for Young IT Professional of the Year and Mobile App of the Year. A software developer from Broughshane has secured one of Northern Ireland’s top technology honours after being named Young IT Professional of the Year during the 2025 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards. James Galbraith, aged 25, took home the coveted award at the high-profile ceremony held in The MAC, Belfast, on Friday 14 November. The Cranmore developer

NewPower, the repowering division launched by Ballymena-based zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus in 2024, has announced a groundbreaking EV-to-EV Repower agreement with leading operator Metroline. The deal marks the first time NewPower will upgrade an existing electric fleet with state-of-the-art EV technology, positioning the company at the forefront of Europe’s transition to greener public transport. Under the contract, 28 Metrodecker electric buses—previously hindere

Robert Scott from KCA Motors, winner of the Best Marketing Campaign (Independent Dealer) Award at the 2025 NI Motor Industry Awards, presented by Valerie Ludlow from award founders ASG . Ballymena-based KCA Motors has driven away with one of the top honours at this year’s Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards, securing the coveted Best Marketing Campaign (Independent Dealer) title. The independent dealer was among dozens of businesses recognised at the prestigious ceremony,

A County Antrim engineering company has been fined £10,000 after a worker suffered severe foot injuries during an unsafe lifting operation at its Coleraine premises. Maine Surface Finishing Ltd was sentenced today at Laganside Crown Court, Belfast, after earlier pleading guilty to a single health and safety offence following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). The court heard that the incident took place on 29 August 2023, when an

(L-R) David Jackson, CEO of Causeway Coast and Glens District Council, Ellvena Graham, Chair of Tourism NI, Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Chief Championships Officer at The R&A, David McMullan, deputy chair of the championships committee at Royal Portrush Golf Club and Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism NI announce that £280 million in economic benefit was provided to Northern Ireland by The 153 rd Open at Royal Portrush. The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush has generated an ex

Asda Antrim trolley porter, Tony Burns Customers at Asda Antrim say they are “in safe hands” thanks to porter Tony Burns , whose quick thinking and kindness have earned him a reputation as a car park hero. The father of seven, who has worked at the store for almost a decade, has helped a string of customers in need — from changing tyres to rescuing a baby accidentally locked in a car. Tony, described by colleagues as someone who always “goes the extra mile”, has become a fam

Dobbies’ Senior Plant Buyer, Claire Bishop, with Poinsettias. (Images: Stewart Attwood Photography) Dobbies’ Lisburn and Antrim stores are ushering in the festive season with the arrival of their highly anticipated annual delivery of poinsettias. The popular garden centre chain is expecting strong customer demand this year, particularly for the traditional red variety, as nostalgic Christmas décor trends continue to dominate. The delivery marks the start of a blooming festive

Pudsey and Asda Antrim's Ashley Ritchie visited local schools in aid of BBC Children in Need Colleagues at Asda Antrim have helped raise an impressive £2,100 for BBC Children in Need after teaming up with customers and local schools to support the annual charity appeal. The fundraising effort was led by the store’s Community Champion, Ashley Ritchie , who organised a series of activities including tombolas, raffles, in-store bucket collections and visits to nearby primary sch

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Organised Crime Branch have taken part in a major UK-wide crackdown on organised crime groups exploiting high street businesses, as part of the second phase of Operation Machinize. The National Crime Agency (NCA)-led initiative, supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), brought together police forces and partner agencies across the UK for a month-long intensified period of action throughout October

The famous pink brand of Dougies Goodies has officially arrived at Applegreen Lisburn Southbound, bringing a burst of colour — and a lot of sweetness — to one of Northern Ireland’s busiest service stations. The collaboration, launched on Friday 14 November, sees Dougies Goodies’ signature cakes and bakes now available at Applegreen’s Lisburn South services. The partnership pairs Applegreen’s convenient, on-the-go offering with Dougies’ fun, playful identity and the distinctiv

With the much-anticipated opening of Primark expected to draw significantly higher footfall, Fairhill Shopping Centre Management has announced the introduction of a new pay-on-arrival parking option to help ease congestion during the busy period. In a message to customers, management said they had been “reviewing the parking system and have added the option of paying on arrival when you park at the Centre”. The change, they explained, aims “ to help reduce queues at payment

Janet Devlin joins Tiarnán O’Neill, Chief Finance Officer at Galgorm Collection, to celebrate the launch of Christmas All Around, the luxury hotel group’s new festive film. Northern Ireland singer-songwriter Janet Devlin is the face – and voice – of Galgorm Collection’s new Christmas campaign, Christmas All Around, an emotive festive film celebrating the meaning of time, connection and togetherness during the holiday season. The Gortin-born artist, known for her distinctive v

farmdrive co-founders - Gareth Gordon, CTO, and Gareth McDonald, CEO Northern Ireland agri-tech company farmdrive has raised £1 million in pre-seed investment to drive international growth of its pioneering livestock data and supply chain platform. The funding round was led by TechStart Ventures and Ascension Ventures, with participation from Angel Invest, and will support product development, team expansion, and entry into new markets across the UK and Europe. Founded in 202

The new Generation 2 Electroliner built by Wrightbus in Ballymena. Ballymena-based manufacturer Wrightbus has launched its most efficient battery electric bus to date, marking another major step in the company’s drive to decarbonise public transport. The new Generation 2 Electroliner boasts significant improvements in range, charging speed, battery life and efficiency — the result of a multi-million-pound in-house battery development programme. The cutting-edge model is alrea

Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector is facing a critical moment of reckoning. The latest CGA by NIQ Trade Association Members Survey for Q4 2025 reveals a landscape marked by financial fragility, declining consumer engagement, and urgent calls for government intervention. From pubs and cafés to hotels and restaurants, operators are sounding the alarm: without immediate support, the sector risks widespread collapse. Operator sentiment: Confidence crumbles The report shows a

Iris Houston, General Manager of Adair Arms Hotel (left) and McKeever Hotels Board. The Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena is set to play a key role in an ambitious new five-year growth strategy launched by McKeever Hotels, as the family-owned hospitality group sets its sights on further expansion across Ireland and beyond. The plan, titled ‘Beyond Now’, was unveiled by Managing Director Eddie McKeever at a stakeholder event, outlining the company’s vision for growth, performance

Antrim residents flocked to The Junction on Wednesday 29th October to celebrate the official opening of Murdock Home Centre & Builders Merchants, a major new addition to the town and a landmark moment for the Murdock Group. The much-anticipated launch drew large crowds for a day of family fun, live entertainment and community celebration, marking a significant milestone for both Murdock and The Junction retail complex. Visitors were treated to giveaways, goodie bags and live

Bargain hunters in Ballymena are in for an extra treat this week as a number of town centre businesses have decided to extend their Ballymena Discount Day offers for a limited time. Following a hugely successful event, several local retailers and hospitality venues are keeping the spirit of savings alive, offering discounts, special deals, and added extras through to Saturday 8th November . Organised by Ballymena BID (Business Improvement District) , Ballymena Discount Day sa

A celebration of female entrepreneurship and local creativity will take centre stage this weekend as Enterprising Women MEA hosts its highly anticipated Winter Showcase at Fairhill Shopping Centre, Ballymena , on Saturday 8 November from 9am to 4pm . Following the success of last year’s event, this year’s showcase promises to be “bigger and better than ever” , with 17 talented local traders bringing an array of handcrafted gifts, festive treats and creative products — just i

Ian McMaw, Business Lecturer at the College of Agriculture Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus and Richard Henderson, Head of Agriculture at AbbeyAutoline. AbbeyAutoline has reaffirmed its commitment to the future of Northern Ireland’s agricultural industry by renewing its partnership with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) for the 2025/2026 academic year. As part of the CAFRE Industry Support Programme, AbbeyAutoline will once again o