NEWS

The new Paws & Pals collection from M&S M&S has expanded its food aisles to four-legged family members with the launch of a new own-brand range of food, meal toppers and treats for adult dogs and cats. The new Paws & Pals collection is available in M&S Foodhalls now, with prices ranging from £3 for treats to £14 for bags of dry food. The launch brings 13 new products to shelves alongside 10 existing favourites being rebranded under Paws & Pals, as the retailer targets growing

Saturday 22 August 2026 Crime and thriller heavyweights dominate the latest bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with Lee Child taking the number one spot as John Grisham, Freida McFadden, Ann Cleeves and Val McDermid all feature in this week’s Top 10. There is plenty beyond crime fiction too, with Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent, V.E. Schwab’s Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, Monisha Rajesh’s Moonlight Express and Stephen Fry’s Odysseyshowing the breadth of read

(L-R) – Ciaran Long, Forward, Belfast Giants; Jordan Kawaguchi, Forward, Belfast Giants; David Goodwin, Forward, Belfast Giants; and Scott Conway, Forward, Belfast Giants. Belfast Giants have unveiled four new jerseys for the 2026/27 season as the reigning Elite Ice Hockey League champions prepare to return to the ice — with O2 appearing on the front of the team’s shirts for the first time. The new home, away, alternate and Challenge Cup designs mark the beginning of O2’s ti

Dobbies has confirmed that its Antrim garden centre will close at the end of October after its new landlord, Frasers Group, decided to redevelop the site for new retail and leisure uses. The retailer said its immediate priority is supporting colleagues affected by the closure, although the number of jobs involved has not been disclosed. Redeployment opportunities and individual support options will be explored. The store opened at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in 2023

Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben has taken the top spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, heading an eclectic bestseller list spanning contemporary thrillers, literary classics, self-help and romance. Homer’s The Odyssey, in Emily Wilson’s acclaimed translation, and John Steinbeck’s East of Eden take second and third place respectively, while modern bestsellers from Mel Robbins, Shari Lapena, Alice Feeney and Kristin Hannah also feature prominently

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans has taken the number one spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, leading a Top 10 that brings together contemporary fiction, science fiction, thrillers, Irish literary classics and poetry. There is plenty more for local book lovers to explore during August, with Waterstone’s Ballymena unveiling its latest Books of the Month across fiction, thriller, fantasy, non-fiction, Irish writing, children’s and young adult categories. The selection

Summer fiction, psychological thrillers and literary favourites continue to capture readers’ attention at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with this week’s bestseller chart showcasing an eclectic mix of contemporary novels, timeless classics and anticipated new releases. The latest update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights half-price offers, new titles from bestselling authors, an exclusive Gruffalo pre-order promotion, back-to-school offers and the newly announced 2026 Booke

Visitors looking for a taste of local creativity, fresh produce and community spirit can find it all at Glenarm Community Market, which returns on the first Saturday of every month. Held in the heart of the historic village, in the Eglinton Yard Barn, the free market has become a popular stop for both locals and tourists exploring the Antrim Coast, offering everything from handmade crafts and artwork to locally reared food in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. A showcase for

Ulster Unionist MLA Dr Steve Aiken The Windsor Framework continues to present practical challenges for consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland, according to Ulster Unionist MLA Dr Steve Aiken, who has highlighted a series of unresolved issues ranging from online shopping charges to steel imports and VAT on household energy. Speaking after a meeting of the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee on Thursday (23 July), Dr Aiken said members examined several emergin

From Alice Feeney’s latest psychological thriller to Jamie Oliver’s ultimate barbecue cookbook, Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled this week’s Top 10 bestselling books, alongside exciting new releases, popular book club events and a special back-to-school offer. Whether you’re looking for a page-turning thriller, a literary classic, a romance or the perfect summer read, the latest chart from Waterstone’s Ballymena offers something for every kind of reader. This week’s Top 10

A Ballymena property investment company has strengthened its growing retail portfolio with the acquisition of one of Derry’s best-known retail parks in a move that underlines continued confidence in Northern Ireland’s retail warehouse market. Magmel (Ballymena) Limited, headed by Ryan Walker and owners of Fairhill Shopping Centre and Braidwater Retail Park in Ballymena, as well as Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine, completed the purchase of Faustina Retail Park in Derry last

Psychological thrillers, summer fiction and fantasy continue to dominate the shelves at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with this week’s Top 10 bestseller chart reflecting readers’ appetite for page-turning suspense, heartfelt storytelling and bestselling new releases. The latest update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights half-price offers, the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, an exclusive Game of the Month, a major Rebecca Yarros pre-order, family storytime and three welcomi

Millions of people using Buy Now, Pay Later services such as Klarna, PayPal and Clearpay are covered by new consumer protection rules from today (Wednesday 15 July), bringing the products into line with other forms of regulated credit for the first time. The changes mean shoppers will benefit from stronger legal rights if something goes wrong with a purchase, while lenders must now carry out affordability checks before offering Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) credit. The reforms af

With another school year now at an end, ten teachers and school staff from across the Ballymena area have been recognised after hundreds of local pupils nominated the people who made the biggest difference to their lives in the classroom. The winners of Ballymena BID’s popular ‘Treat Your Teacher’ competition were announced following an overwhelming response from families, with children sharing heartfelt stories of kindness, encouragement, patience and support shown throughou

Most people in the UK are not getting enough fibre, despite it being linked to a lower risk of bowel cancer, and Marks & Spencer is hoping to change that with a nationwide campaign backed by Bowel Cancer UK. Running throughout July and August, the retailer has launched its Better with Beans campaign alongside a complete refresh of its beans and pulses range, making products such as chickpeas, green lentils, butter beans and kidney beans available in glass jars from just 55p.

Classic literature, contemporary fiction and gripping thrillers continue to prove popular with readers at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with this week’s bestseller chart showcasing an eclectic mix of modern favourites and timeless classics. Alongside the latest Top 10, the Ballymena bookshop is also highlighting half-price offers, family storytime and upcoming book club meetings for local readers. Top 10 this week 1. The Correspondent — Virginia Evans A quietly charming and deeply

Don’t miss paw-some fun this weekend as Barket returns to The Junction, Antrim Thousands of visitors and their four-legged companions are expected to descend on Antrim this weekend as one of Northern Ireland’s biggest pet-friendly events returns for a third year. Barket will take over The Junction Retail and Leisure Park on Saturday, July 4, transforming the popular destination into a celebration of pets, animal lovers and local independent businesses. Running from 11am until

A mixture of thrillers, literary fiction, graphic novels and contemporary drama dominates the latest bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, as readers continue to embrace an eclectic mix of genres heading into the summer months. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, family storytime sessions and a host of acclaimed new releases, including several titles shortlisted for the prestigious Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. Th

The community of Glenravel are inviting the public from near and far to browse everything from handcrafted ceramics and woodwork to brownies, books and South African flavours as the Glenravel Summer Market returns to Martinstown Parish Hall this weekend. The community event takes place on Sunday, June 28, running from 11am until 4pm, and will bring together a diverse mix of local makers, artists, bakers and small businesses from across the area and beyond. With more than 20 t

Maggie O’Farrell’s Land remains at the top of the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, as readers continue to gravitate towards a mix of literary fiction, romance, mystery and crime. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, family storytime sessions and a host of acclaimed new titles, including several books shortlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize. Top 10 this week A varied selection of bestselling fiction do