NEWS

Eamon and Nadelle McKillop of McKillop's SPAR, Fry's Road, receiving Involvement in the Community Award from Lee McFarland of Cranswick Country Foods. Tuesday 3 November 2026 A Ballymena convenience store which has spent almost four decades supporting local schools, sports clubs and charities has been recognised for its contribution to the community. McKillop’s SPAR received the Involvement in the Community Award at the 24th annual Ballymena Business Excellence Awards, held a

Tuesday 3 November 2026 Christmas shoppers searching for something a little different this festive season can discover a wonderful selection of handmade gifts, local crafts and seasonal treats when the annual Northern Ireland Hospice Christmas Fair returns to Ballymena next week. Organised by Ballymena Northern Ireland Hospice Support Group, the popular fundraising event takes place at Tullyglass House Hotel on Wednesday 11 November, bringing together 33 independent traders f

Saturday 31 October 2026 Shoppers are being encouraged to make the most of a full day of savings in Ballymena as the town’s popular annual Discount Day returns on Thursday 5 November, bringing special offers, giveaways and late-night shopping until 9pm. From 9am, participating businesses across the town centre will offer one-day promotions, giving shoppers an opportunity to save on everything from Christmas presents and winter fashion to jewellery, homeware and everyday essen

Proposed site of new concept Lidl store in Ballymena with inset CGI of store entrance. Friday 30 October 2026 Lidl has revealed it has spent more than a decade searching for a second supermarket site in Ballymena, as fresh planning evidence outlines an £8 million investment, 50 permanent jobs and the retailer's intention to keep its existing store open. The discount supermarket chain says its current Ballymena branch, which opened in 2002, is now the third smallest of its 44

(L-R) Jonathan Mitchell, co-founder of Our Brewery and Michael Crealey, Lead Packaged Buying Manager at Tesco Northern Ireland, toast to the awarded Our Brewery range available at selected Tesco stores across NI. Wednesday 28 October 2026 An award-winning family-run brewery from Randalstown has expanded its presence on Tesco shelves across Northern Ireland, with two additional beers joining its range at 28 stores, including Ballymena, Antrim, Coleraine and Carrickfergus. Our

Friday 23 October 2026 Marks & Spencer has cut prices on a selection of British beef, lamb and pork products by up to 26%, helping shoppers save on everyday family meals while maintaining the prices it pays to farmers. The supermarket is adding more meat products to its Remarksable Value range, including diced beef, lamb mince and pork sausages, as part of a wider effort to make the weekly food shop more affordable. M&S says customers will receive exactly the same products, w

CGI of the approved new Home Bargains store in Antrim Friday 23 October 2026 Plans for a new £8 million Home Bargains store in Antrim have been approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee, paving the way for a major retail investment expected to create 95 jobs and regenerate the former Townparks Car Sales site. The development, located at the junction of Ballymena Road and Springfarm Industrial Estate, will see the existing site transformed into a

Tuesday 20 October 2026 Shoppers looking to save money on their grocery bills can claim up to £100 in discounts from Iceland and The Food Warehouse, with a limited-time offer available to new online customers until Saturday 24 October. The promotion gives customers £10 off their first online shop when they spend at least £60, followed by further discount codes worth a combined £90 to use across their next four shops. With Halloween approaching and Christmas preparations getti

Sunday 18 October 2026 Plans to open a new ice cream parlour within the historic Clotworthy House at Antrim Castle Gardens have been unanimously approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee. The proposal will see the building’s existing shop, reception and garden exhibition area converted into an ice cream parlour with an indoor seating area, offering visitors another place to enjoy refreshments at one of the borough’s major tourist attractions. Co

Saturday 17 October 2026 A team of adventurous colleagues from Asda Antrim have raised more than £5,000 for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke (NICHS), taking on a daring skydive and the Belfast Half Marathon to support a cause close to their hearts. The fundraising effort saw staff leap from an aircraft over County Londonderry before swapping their parachutes for running shoes to tackle a 21.1km course through Belfast. For one colleague, the challenge was particularly

Items recovered following a police search of a property in Belfast Sunday 18 October 2026 A 30-year-old woman has been arrested following a police operation in west Belfast which uncovered suspected stolen goods worth thousands of pounds, suspected counterfeit currency and suspected controlled drugs. The discovery followed reports of a woman believed to be driving while disqualified in the Rockville Street area on Friday morning, 16 October. Police subsequently located the ve

(L-R) Irish Black Butter’s International Ambassador Alastair Bell, PRM Group Key Account Sales Development Manager Gary Hopkins, David Thompson, Buying Manager – Dairy at Tesco Northern Ireland and Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt Commercial Director Patrick Black. Tuesday 13 October 2026 Tesco Northern Ireland is expanding its range of locally produced dairy products, with new yoghurt, flavoured milk and award-winning cheddar being introduced in stores and online. The additions bri

Ribbon cut by Aldergrove’s day one colleagues as transformed M&S store opens Thursday 08 October 2026 Shoppers at M&S Aldergrove can now enjoy a significantly bigger food store, with more than 2,000 additional products, a larger bakery and a new frozen food range following a major transformation that has increased the store’s size by 50%. The expanded store officially opened its doors at 9am on Thursday 8 October, with four familiar faces given the honour of cutting the ribbo

Tuesday 06 October 2026 Students are being offered a night of exclusive discounts, competitions, giveaways and entertainment today as Victoria Square brings back its popular Student Social. The event which runs from 4pm to 7pm will combine one-night-only savings across fashion, food, beauty and more with interactive challenges giving students the chance to walk away with prizes. Student ID will be required to access the offers. Five minutes to spend £100 Among the headline at

The newly launched Women’s Aid shop in Ballymena Monday 05 October 2026 Women’s Aid has officially opened a new shop in Ballymena, giving local people another way to support its work with women and children experiencing domestic abuse. The new store at 23–25 Henry Street will sell new and nearly new women’s clothing and accessories alongside books, furniture and other donated items, with proceeds helping support the charity’s services. New town centre shop Mayor of Mid and Ea

Hannah McDowell, Centra, Phoenix Antrim Road, Ballymena, with Lauren Stewart, Green Field Marketing Friday 02 October 2026 Two Ballymena convenience stores have won prizes worth a combined £1,200 through a drinks supplier’s retailer incentive scheme. Centra on Antrim Road secured one of AG Barr’s top £1,000 prizes, while Centra on Frosses Road received £200. MACE in Cloughmills also picked up a £100 prize. The stores are among 12 Northern Ireland retailers to have shared £5,2

The former Halifax bank building on Main Street, Larne at the centre of a proposal for a new coffee shop and galateria. Wednesday 30 September 2026 Plans have been submitted to turn Larne’s former Halifax bank into a coffee shop and gelateria. An agent acting on behalf of Assemble Brunch Company has applied to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a change of use at 33 Main Street. The proposal would bring the vacant premises back into use as a coffee shop and ice cream bus

Taylor Kirk,Ballyclare, models Frasers and Levi's at Platform 26, Victoria Square Sunday 27 September 2026 County Antrim modelling talent stepped into the spotlight at Victoria Square as three local models took to the runway for the Belfast shopping destination’s latest Autumn/Winter fashion showcase. Cooper Dudley-Fergus from Ballymoney, Meagan Green from Lisburn and Taylor Kirk from Ballyclare were among the models showcasing new-season looks at Platform 26 on Friday 25 Sep

Site for Lidl’s proposed new concept store in Ballymena Thursday 24 September 2026 Plans for one of Northern Ireland’s largest Lidl stores have come under fresh scrutiny after independent retail experts said they are not yet satisfied that the need for the major Ballymena development has been demonstrated — or that it would avoid significant adverse impacts on the town centre. The findings are contained in a detailed independent Retail Audit commissioned by Mid and East Antri

Sunday 20 September 2026 M&S has confirmed its newly expanded Aldergrove store will reopen at 9am on Thursday 8 October following a major transformation that has increased the shop by 50%. The expansion into the neighbouring service station unit will bring more than 2,000 additional products to the store, alongside new facilities and a significantly wider M&S Food range. Bigger store and wider food range Among the changes will be a larger in-store bakery, upgraded coffee-to-g