NEWS

Galgorm Collection has donated funds to Kells and Connor Primary School to support the purchase of new iPads. Some of the pupils are pictured alongside Principal, Mr Finlay, Senior Teacher and ICT Lead, Mrs Richmond and Victoria Brown, Director of Marketing at Galgorm Collection. Hospitality group Galgorm Collection has donated £1,000 to Kells and Connor Primary School , located just outside Ballymena, to support the purchase of new iPads for pupils, helping to strengthen d

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

Mid and East Antrim Council chamber Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will hold a special meeting this evening (Monday, 9 February) to strike the domestic and non-domestic rate for the 2026/27 financial year. For a second consecutive year, the local authority is expected to strike a single rate for households and businesses. Last-minute negotiations are likely to continue behind closed doors at The Braid in Ballymena, following a series of rates workshops held in recent mon

North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC The closure of McKillen’s on Church Street has been described as a devastating blow to Ballymena town centre, with North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC warning that rising overheads and business rates are “strangling” local retailers and accelerating the decline of the high street. In a strongly worded statement, Mr Allister said the loss of the century-old family business, coming shortly after the closure of Wyse Byse, marked a critical moment fo

McKillen’s on Church Street, Ballymena McKillen’s , the much-loved family-run department store that has stood at the heart of Ballymena town centre for a century, has announced it will close after 100 years of trading, bringing an era to an end on Church Street. Established by the McKillen family in 1926, the business has served generations of customers from across Ballymena and far beyond — from fitting children with their first pair of shoes to ensuring elderly customers re

Pictured: Colin Magee, Non-domestic Consumer Protection Manager at the Utility Regulator New electricity and gas licence rules come into force to improve transparency, fairness and switching rights The Utility Regulator has introduced new licence measures to strengthen protections for Northern Ireland’s small business electricity and gas consumers, with changes taking effect from 4 February 2026, aimed at improving transparency, fairness and engagement in the non-domestic ene

The Utility Regulator has confirmed that a formal review of regulated gas tariffs in Northern Ireland is now under way, covering domestic and small business customers supplied by SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus Energy , while electricity prices for Power NI customers remain under ongoing monitoring. The review applies to customers in the Greater Belfast and West gas areas, supplied by SSE Airtricity Gas Supply, and the Ten Towns area, supplied by Firmus Energy. The regu

Broughshane retail legend, James McNeill At a time when independent retailers across Northern Ireland are under intense pressure — facing rising operating costs, staffing challenges and competition from national chains — one family-run business in Co Antrim is marking a milestone that speaks to resilience, community and quiet determination. This weekend, Broughshane shopkeeper James McNeill will celebrate an extraordinary 70 years in business, a rare achievement in modern re

The Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena marks 180 years The Adair Arms Hotel is celebrating nearly 180 years of continuous service in Ballymena, marking a remarkable milestone for one of Northern Ireland’s oldest hotels and a landmark that has stood at the centre of town life since 1846. Founded by Sir Robert Adair and designed by renowned architect Sir Charles Lanyon at a cost of £3,650, the Adair Arms was built at a time when Ballymena was emerging as an important industrial and ci

Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, Amruta Vaidya, Chief Executive, Irish FA, Patrick Neslon, General Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, Simon Fitzpatrick and Chief Executive, NI Football League, Gerard Lawlor. Coca-Cola has announced a new partnership with Northern Ireland football, becoming the official soft drinks partner of both the Irish Football Association (Irish FA) and the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL). The agreement, announced by The Coca

John Ferris (Ulster Bank), Stephanie, Gillian McCandless, Ruth McGilligan (both Ulster Bank) A Co Antrim woman who turned personal hardship into a thriving community business has been recognised with a prestigious award from The King’s Trust at a ceremony held at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Stephanie, 28, was named the winner of the NatWest Enterprise Award at the Northern Ireland final of The King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards on Friday 30 January. The accolade recognises

Clive Fulton, of Clive Fulton Eyecare, announcing the special Nuance Audio Glasses demonstration morning on Wednesday 11 February Clive Fulton Eyecare (Galgorm) has announced the arrival of an innovative new hearing solution designed to transform how people with mild to moderate hearing loss experience sound in everyday life. Nuance Audio Glasses combine advanced hearing technology with modern, stylish eyewear, offering discreet hearing support without the appearance or fee

Pictured celebrating Tayto’s 70th anniversary at Tayto Castle in Tandragee, Co Armagh, are (L-R) Stephen Hutchinson, Anne Hutchinson-Kane and Raymond Hutchinson Northern Ireland’s iconic crisp manufacturer Tayto has kicked off a year-long programme of celebrations to mark its 70th anniversary, unveiling new products, limited-edition packaging and special anniversary branding. Founded in 1956 by Thomas Hutchinson at Tayto Castle in Tandragee, Co Armagh, the family-owned busine

Wyse Byse on Church Street, Ballymena A much-loved Ballymena retailer that has been part of daily life for generations is preparing to close its doors after more than half a century in business. Wyse Byse, a familiar presence on Church Street – and before that Wellington Street – will cease trading in the coming weeks, bringing to an end 53 years of independent retailing that has left a lasting mark on Ballymena and beyond. For decades, families from Ballymena and further afi

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston with farmer David Irwin, Redhouse Holsteins (far left) and other members of the farming community who supported Saturday night’s protest at Tesco . Farmers blocked the entrance to one of Tesco’s main Northern Ireland distribution centres on Boucher Road in Belfast on Saturday night, January 30, in a protest highlighting growing frustration across the agri-food sector. Tractors and other agricultural vehicles were used to obstruct access to

The public toilets in Portglenone have now been closed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Mid and East Antrim councillors have agreed a scheme to enable visitors to Portglenone to “spend a penny”, with the support of local businesses. The borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee, which met at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, January 26, approved the delivery of a proposed community toilet scheme following the closure of the public toilets on Main Str

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

Wellington Street in Ballymena town centre Mid and East Antrim councillors have agreed to double funding for the Town Centre Revamp Refresh initiative after almost 100 businesses across the borough applied for support. A report presented to the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Monday evening revealed there were 47 applications from Ballymena, 28 from Carrickfergus and 22 from Larne. The report stated that £40,000 wa

Inset: Northern Ireland Finance Minister John O’Dowd The Reval 2026 process has been halted after the Finance Minister John O’Dowd announced he was stopping the revaluation amid growing concern over its impact on local businesses, particularly within the hospitality sector. The move follows escalating warnings from industry bodies and political representatives that sharp increases in rateable values under Reval 2026 could push already-stretched businesses to the brink. Minis

(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