NEWS

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

North Antrim MP Jim Allister speaking in the House of Commons, and Wrightbus Ballymena-built Electroliners in service for Translink in Northern Ireland North Antrim MP Jim Allister has called on the UK Government to take decisive action to support the British bus manufacturing industry, warning that current procurement practices risk undermining one of the country’s most strategically important advanced manufacturing sectors. Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesd

Joanne Deighan, Senior Commercial Manager, Belfast International Airport and Jaclyn Coulter, HR Director, Belfast International Airport. Belfast International Airport is set to host its first major recruitment event of 2026, offering more than 100 job opportunities as it prepares for a busy summer season and continues a £100 million transformation programme. The New Year Jobs Fair will take place on Saturday 31 January 2026, from 11am to 3pm, at the Voco Hotel in the Gasworks

Primark Dubai International fashion retailer Primark has confirmed the next phase of its Middle East expansion, announcing plans to open stores in Bahrain and Qatar alongside its highly anticipated launch in Dubai, bringing the brand’s global footprint to 21 countries by the end of 2026. The expansion follows the successful opening of Primark’s first-ever Middle East store at The Avenues in Kuwait in October 2025, which attracted thousands of shoppers and marked a significant

Buick Memorial Primary School, Cullybackey has received a £5,000 donation from Galgorm Collection. Pictured alongside pupils, Evie Speers, Phoebe Cangque, Kyle Chiyangwa, Zara Murray, Finlay Stewart and Jude Ferguson, are Colin Johnston, CEO Galgorm Collection and Principal Rikki Peters.  Two local primary schools in the Ballymena area are set to benefit from a £10,000 community donation from Galgorm Collection, reinforcing the hospitality group’s ongoing commitment to educat

Leading UK manufacturer Wrightbus is opening its doors to the next generation of engineering and manufacturing talent as part of Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week and National Apprenticeship Week, with two dedicated careers events at its Ballymena headquarters. The bus maker will host an Apprenticeship Open Night and a dedicated Insight Day, offering up to 60 individuals the opportunity to explore careers in advanced manufacturing and engineering across a wide range of dis