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NEWS


Ship shape business plan wins investment at Mid and East Antrim’s Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch
Overall winner of the Mid and East Antrim heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch William Mawhinney, centre, pictured with, from left, judge Noel Mullholland and Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council A Carrickfergus entrepreneur has sailed to success after making The Ultimate Pitch to win investment for his innovative new business that carries out vessel hull inspections. William Mawhinney wowed judges at the Mid and East Antrim heat of Go Succ
Oct 20, 2025


Asda Ballyclare colleagues celebrate 20 years of Asda in Northern Ireland
Asda Ballyclare colleagues join celebrations as retailer marks 20th year anniversary in NI. Steven Henry, GSM, Trevor Wilson, Community Champion, and Helen Gault, Long Service Colleague Asda marks milestone anniversary with major price cuts, £1m community funding, and a £500m annual boost to local suppliers. Colleagues from Asda Ballyclare joined in celebrations marking 20 years of Asda in Northern Ireland, as the retailer reflected on two decades of investment in local suppl
Oct 20, 2025


DUP team visit community impacted by Kilrea Bridge closure as calls grow for action and support
DUP representatives (L-R) East Londonderry MLA Maurice Bradley, North Antrim MLA Paul Frew, and Councillor for Bann, Michelle Knight-McQuillan during a visit to Kilrea Bridge DUP MLAs Paul Frew and Maurice Bradley , joined by Cllr Michelle Knight-McQuillan , have visited the site of the Kilrea Bridge over the River Bann to meet residents and discuss the latest update from DfI Roads amid continuing disruption caused by the closure. The representatives met with local people fr
Oct 19, 2025


Finalists announced for 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards!
Chamber President Mark Wiggins with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Councillor Jackson Minford with representatives of local businesses sponsoring the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards The names of the finalists for the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards have been announced, celebrating the innovation, resilience, and community spirit of local businesses across the Ballymena area. Organised annually by the Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Ind
Oct 19, 2025


Fairhill’s £10m transformation boosts Ballymena retail as Primark opening date confirmed
Fairhill Shopping Centre’s £10 million redevelopment has reached a major milestone with confirmation that Primark will officially open its new Ballymena store on Friday 5th December at 10am. The long-anticipated arrival of Primark marks a turning point for Fairhill and a renewed sense of optimism for Ballymena’s retail sector. The major fashion retailer’s new 29,000 sq. ft store is set to become the centrepiece of Fairhill’s multi-million-pound investment programme, which has
Oct 17, 2025


M&S CEO Pays Tribute to Northern Ireland’s Food and Drink Industry at Belfast Dinner
Marks & Spencer Chief Executive Officer Stuart Machin has praised Northern Ireland’s thriving food and drink industry, highlighting the region’s exceptional contribution to the retailer’s success across the UK. Speaking at the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Annual Dinner in Belfast last night — marking the first time an M&S CEO has addressed the event — Mr Machin celebrated local producers, long-standing partnerships, and announced major new investment plans for stores across
Oct 17, 2025


Ballymena BID partners with Knockdene Healthcare to boost town centre emergency preparedness
Participants Imogene Jones, Siobhan Davidson, Libbie Barnett, Courtney Shields, Lorna Ramsey, Clare Moore, Kris Steele, and Simon Anderson, pictured with trainer Laura McAuley Ballymena BID has joined forces with local company Knockdene Healthcare to deliver vital defibrillator and first aid training to town centre businesses, reinforcing Ballymena’s commitment to safety and community wellbeing. Staff from Wallaces, Front Page Bar, Camerons , and Ballymena BID took part in t
Oct 14, 2025


Ballymena optometrists launch new dry eye service to support women’s eye health on World Menopause Day
Fitzsimons Opticians’ senior optometrist and director, John Broderick, undertaking an eye examination A Ballymena optometry practice is marking World Menopause Day with the launch of a new dry eye service aimed at improving women’s eye health during menopause and perimenopause. Fitzsimons Opticians, based on William Street, has invested in state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to help identify and treat dry eye syndrome — a condition that experts say can affect more than hal
Oct 14, 2025


Wrightbus partners with Kazenmaier to drive zero-emission bus transition across Germany
(L-R): Erhan Eren, Managing Director Europe at Wrightbus; Max Nastold, CEO of Kazenmaier Leasing GmbH; Tobias Fräde, Business Development Manager Trucks/Buses at Kazenmaier Leasing GmbH; Gregor Creslovnik, Sales at Wrightbus. World-leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus has strengthened its foothold in Germany by joining forces with renowned leasing firm Kazenmaier, in a move designed to accelerate the transition to zero-emission public transport across the country. The partnersh
Oct 14, 2025


Christmas comes early for Ballymena shoppers as opening date confirmed for new Primark at Fairhill
CGI of the new Primark store at Fairhill Shopping Centre, Ballymena Primark has confirmed that its brand-new Ballymena store at Fairhill Shopping Centre will officially open on Friday 5th December at 10am. The eagerly awaited move marks an exciting new chapter for Primark Ballymena, which first opened its doors in the town in 1983. Relocating less than a mile from its long-standing home in the Tower Centre, the new store will double in size, covering 26,200 sq. ft of fashion,
Oct 14, 2025


LEDCOM launches £300k refurbishment of Foundry House to create Ballyclare Enterprise Centre
Pictured are, from left, Dr Norman Apsley OBE, LEDCOM Chairman, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick and Ken...
Oct 13, 2025


NI schools benefit as Tesco expands free fruit and veg initiative to help more children eat healthier
Tesco has announced the expansion of its Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, ensuring thousands more pupils across the UK – including in...
Oct 11, 2025


Dobbies’ Antrim and Lisburn stores unveil magical Christmas shops with nearly 600 new products
Dobbies Garden Centres has officially opened its highly anticipated Christmas shops in Lisburn and Antrim, inviting customers to...
Oct 11, 2025


Enough is enough: Allister demands end to Sea Border ‘obstruction’ as EU calls for stricter enforcement
Pictured: Jim Allister KC MP, the leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) In a robust rebuke to recent European Union demands, Jim...
Oct 10, 2025


Kinecx Energy unveils new brand and vision for a lower carbon future
Kinecx Energy Chairman Dr David Dobbin (second from left) and Kinecx Energy Chief Executive Officer Niall Martindale (second from right)...
Oct 9, 2025


Galgorm Resort leads County Antrim charge as finalists unveiled for 2025 Good Food Ireland® Awards
Dining at Galgorm Building on its recent triumph at the 2025 AA Hospitality Awards—where it secured AA 5-star status and its Gillies...
Oct 9, 2025


Hollywood actor Ian McElhinney backs hard-hitting initiative tackling loneliness across NI
L-R: Gordon Cruikshanks (Regional Managing Director, Lidl Northern Ireland), Linda Robinson (Chief Executive, Age NI) and campaign...
Oct 8, 2025


Kilrea Bridge closure ‘decimating businesses’ as council pushes for support
Closed for repairs: Kilrea Bridge Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will contact the Infrastructure Minister to discuss potential...
Oct 8, 2025


Coca-Cola HBC launches Graduate Programme to nurture future business leaders
Chloe McCann who is part of the pilot of the Coca-Cola HBC Graduate programme is pictured with People and Culture Director, Jenni...
Oct 7, 2025


Murdock builds on tradition with new Home Centre at The Junction, Antrim
Paul Wilson, Antrim Branch Manager; Pearse Gildernew, Regional Manager; Martin Farrell, Managing Director, Murdock Builders Merchants and...
Oct 7, 2025
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