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Leading home retailer Harry Corry has joined forces with Instonians Rugby Club, providing top level support for its ‘Rugby for All’ Youth Programme to help support our future All Ireland League, Five Nations and World Cup champions.

Harry Corry has been supporting Instonians for over four decades but this latest commitment  significantly upweights the retailer’s investment in the 104 year-old club, originally founded at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and specifically in its increasingly important youth outreach activity.

Leading Northern Ireland law firm Davidson McDonnell has officially launched a new Private Client team appointing ex-London partner Victoria Sterritt to lead the department. 

Victoria is joined in the Private Client team by senior solicitors Rachael McKee and Sara Ord who both have more than 20 years’ specialist experience. 

Lidl Northern Ireland has teamed up with renowned U105 broadcaster and former UTV presenter, Frank Mitchell, to launch the return of the retailer’s biggest and most loved fundraiser of the year – Trolley Dash. Now in its 10th year, Trolley Dash is Lidl Northern Ireland’s flagship fundraising event for its charity partner, NSPCC, offering customers the chance to win their entire Christmas food shopping for just £1, in aid of NSPCC.
 

With the festive season just around the corner, one lucky customer from each of Lidl Northern Ireland’s 41 stores across the region will win a supermarket sweep-style dash around their local store to grab as much of their Christmas shopping as possible in two minutes. In previous years, dashers have grabbed hundreds of pounds worth of treats and managed to tick off all items on their Christmas food shopping list.

A new name in Irish whiskey – Outwalker – is set to take the market by storm as it launches this week. Representing something genuinely different, this bold offering will stand head and shoulders above others in the sector with its distinctive taste and brand as ‘The Restless Spirit’.

Outwalker is a unique blend of Single Malt aged in white burgundy casks, Pot Still aged in ex-Oloroso Sherry, Grain aged in Virgin American Oak and Grain aged in Rye Casks.

Lookers has kicked off a £2.3 million investment programme to dramatically enhance its established franchised Volvo dealership in Chelmsford, Essex, as part of a newly-strengthened partnership with Volvo.

Lookers, one of the UK’s leading automotive retail and service groups, said today that the extensive programme works at Baynes Place in the city would create a bright, modern state-of-the-art facility that would put customers at the heart of an exciting and innovative retail experience that would perfectly showcase the dynamic Swedish brand’s growing portfolio of all-electric vehicles.

Belfast has been officially named the world’s best conference destination for a third year at the Conference & Incentive Travel (C&IT) awards in London, securing a record-breaking position that underlines the city’s strengths as a major international draw for business delegates and event organisers.

ICC Belfast, Northern Ireland’s only purpose-built international convention centre, was also a winner in the ‘Best Venue - UK’ category, the shortlist for which featured London’s ExCel and ICC Birmingham.

Leading wine retailer JN Wine is raising a special toast to new sparkling success after clinching two top awards at the UK wine industry’s annual retail excellence awards organised by global wine brand Decanter.

JN Wine, one of the best-known independent wine merchants, supplies many of the top hotels, restaurants and wine shops throughout the island of Ireland.

Lookers is on course to open ‘Lookers Car HUB’, a new multimillion-pound investment which specialises in multi-franchise sales, service, maintenance and cosmetic repair, with expansive EV charging facilities and an on-site ‘education and experience centre’ to support growing consumer demand and enquiries for all-electric driving options.

This new state-of-the-art facility will be based in Middlesbrough and will open later this year after getting the planning go-ahead from Middlesbrough Council. Lookers is investing around £6 million to create the future-focused, landmark dealership for the city and region.

Ulster University has successfully completed a major £6 million digital infrastructure upgrade across all four Northern Ireland campuses thanks to its partnership with leading local telecoms and IT provider eir evo UK, fast-tracking its reputation as one of the best universities in the UK for WiFi and internet services.

Recently named among the top 30 UK universities in The Guardian University Guide, Ulster University enjoys a strong and growing national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement and for its significant contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of the region.

Creative advertising and marketing agency Ardmore has topped the poll in this year’s Creativepool Awards 2023, securing a sought-after first-place position as the People’s Choice UK Independent Agency of the Year.

As one of the world’s most renowned branding and advertising annual awards, the Creativepool Awards celebrate the creative industry’s best achievements.

Following a groundbreaking partnership led by Visit Belfast, Belfast City Council and Green Tourism in 2021, hoteliers across Belfast are ramping up their green credentials at a record rate. Seventy five percent of the city region’s 4,800 hotel rooms are now officially accredited by Green Tourism, the global body which promotes sustainable and environmental standards across the sector.

More than 20 leading hotels, groups and brands, including Hastings Hotels, The Merchant Hotel, Bullitt Hotel, Andras House Hotel Group, Titanic Hotel Belfast, AC Hotel Belfast, Clayton Hotel, The Maldron Belfast City Centre, The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Hilton Belfast, the Leonardo Hotel, Malmaison Hotel, The Harrison, Radisson Blu and Ramada by Wyndham have all secured a Green Tourism award in a drive to support Belfast’s sustainable tourism mission.

One of the UK’s leading automotive retail and service groups, Lookers, has relaunched its Kia dealership in Chester following a major £1.8 million transformation of the site.

The redevelopment, which got under way in March, encompassed a full internal refit as well as the introduction of a new indoor handover bay and exterior integrated valet bay.

Lookers Group has agreed a major partnership with one of the UK’s fastest-growing car brands, MG, bringing the iconic British heritage marque to two new sites in England as part of its accelerated growth strategy.

In its newest dealership expansion, Lookers Group, one of the UK’s leading automotive and service groups, announced it has agreed terms to acquire independent dealership Brighton MG for an undisclosed sum. It also confirmed that it would launch the MG car brand in Worcester early in 2024.

Brighton MG is located in Southwick on Old Shoreham Road in West Sussex and combines high-quality service and experience. All 14 staff at the site will transfer to Lookers.

The countdown is on for a top team of cyclists at one of the UK’s leading automotive retail and service groups, Lookers, after 40 employees – including chief executive Mark Raban and chief operating officer Duncan McPhee – signed up for a new, more demanding bike ride challenge for 2023.

From Eastbourne to Edinburgh, four teams of 10 will cycle 935 kilometres across eight stages to raise funds for Action for Children, a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children, young people and their families.

Last year, Lookers raised more than £150,000 for suicide prevention charity Papyrus and Macmillan Cancer Support after a trekking team of 20 staff from right across the group cycled a gruelling 650 kilometres from Birmingham to Scotland and across the Irish Sea to Belfast.

Belfast will this month host Europe’s largest annual gathering of archaeologists when the city will welcome more than 3,000 delegates to Queen’s University and to a variety of venues across the city for four full days.

Ballymoney has taken a top award at this year’s High Street Hero awards, confirming its gold status as High Street of the Year 2023.

Holmes Bakery, in Portadown, is the latest food supplier in Northern Ireland to secure a major contract with Lidl Northern Ireland.

Charles Hurst has announced a £2m investment to open a new dealership that will bring CUPRA to its Northern Ireland estate for the 1st time.

Survey commissioned by Lidl Northern Ireland shows 71% of those completing DIY do so to save money, with others doing so for enjoyment and to get the job done quickly.Supermarket retailer unveils new ‘Parkside’ range of affordable DIY tools for indoor and outdoor use to help more households to get stuck in

Northern Ireland is a nation of dedicated DIY home and garden improvers – and a younger generation are increasingly up to the task, according to independent research commissioned by Lidl Northern Ireland*.

Lookers is investing a further £3.25 million in its nationwide network of Nissan dealerships with the addition of a bright, modern landmark dealership at Portland Road in Newcastle which will open in spring next year.One of the UK’s leading automotive and service groups, Lookers only opened the doors on a new £1 million Nissan dealership at Gateshead earlier this year following similar transformations in Chester and Carlisle in 2022.

Northern Ireland dads have been putting their shopping skills to the ultimate test in the Lidl trolley dash challenge.
Six  lucky participants have won an entirely free grocery shop courtesy of Lidl Northern Ireland, after taking part in a ‘supermarket sweep’ style competition in their local store.

Visit Belfast has been named ‘Best Convention Bureau’ at this year’s micebook awards, further strengthening its ‘best in the world’ status as a global business leader hosting national and international conferences and events.

The winners of the Bradley Art Prize competition – led by renowned artist Terry Bradley and sponsored by Radius Connect – have been revealed.

Nominations for this year’s High Street Hero Awards, powered by Retail NI, are now open until Saturday 31 July and locals from across the Belfast City Council area are being encouraged to vote for their favourite online to help them win a coveted award.

A record 10,000 votes from across Northern Ireland were registered in last year’s competition which saw Newtownards and Coleraine named joint winners of the prestigious High Street of the Year award.

Online voting is now officially under way for 13 categories, including two new categories for this year – Best Green Retailer and Best Generalist Retailer – so there’s plenty of chances to ensure retailers in every town and village get recognised in what promises to be the biggest and best annual retail initiative yet.

Top employer Lidl Northern Ireland and leading social enterprise NOW Group today launched a pioneering employability programme – the first of its kind with the supermarket retailer - to support people with learning difficulties and autism into a retail career.

The announcement is the latest move by the retailer in demonstrating its commitment to diversity and inclusion as part of its award-winning and globally recognised People Strategy. Lidl has also supported the autism community over the past number of years, having already implemented a number of dedicated in-store customer initiatives including autism-friendly evenings and becoming the first JAM Card friendly supermarket in Northern Ireland in 2021.

Integrated marketing, public relations and eCommerce group Ardmore has launched a new, standalone consultancy as part of its core services.

The group, which incorporates creative advertising company Ardmore, public relations specialists LK Communications and eCommerce industry leader Built for Growth (BFG) Digital, and employs over 80 staff, said the new business will support companies and government as part of a partnership approach to advance and progress shared agendas in an increasingly complex, challenging world.

An innovative educational programme aimed at equipping school students across Northern Ireland with invaluable tools to manage and improve their mental health through sport has been launched, supported by a stellar line up of some of the country’s most successful sporting stars.

Following on from Mental Health Awareness Week which ran from 15-21 May, Lidl Northern Ireland’s Sport for Good Schools Programme, in partnership with the UK’s leading children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust, and championed by six-time Paralympic gold medallist swimmer Bethany Firth OBE, European Championship 1500 metre silver medallist Ciara Mageean, and World Champion gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, launched at a special event held at Queen’s University Malone Playing Fields in Belfast.

Major Northern Ireland employer Galgorm Collection has become the first hospitality group on the island of Ireland to achieve official Great Place to Work certification across its entire portfolio of award-winning luxury hotels and restaurants.

The prestigious endorsement by Great Place to Work, a global authority on workplace culture and wellbeing, was awarded following an extensive independent employee survey which engaged Galgorm Collection’s workforce of around 1,000 team members.

CIPR Northern Ireland PR Consultancy of the Year LK Communications, has unveiled details of the region’s Top 100 Twitter account holders for 2023 in the first of a series of reports on the development and reach of social media platforms in the region.

Published exclusively in the Belfast Telegraph, the Top 100 Twitter list reveals a stark gender divide, with male-owned accounts leading women by a factor of three to one.

Lookers has embarked on a significant £1.8 million transformation of its Kia Chester site as the company, one of the UK’s leading automotive and aftersales service groups, continues to boost its nationwide network of dealerships.

The redevelopment, which will be completed later this year, will see a full state-of-the-art internal refit, as well as the introduction of a brand-new indoor handover bay and exterior integrated valet bay.

Campaign magazine has placed Ardmore in its top creative agencies for 2022 in its latest list of the best UK marketing and advertising businesses. The magazine – a bible for the global ad industry – also confirmed that multi-award-winning Ardmore was the only agency in the Northern Ireland region to appear for a second year running.

Campaign magazine compiles the prestigious list of creative businesses according to exclusive Nielson billings figures, to shine a global spotlight on the Top 30 UK Regional Agencies. Since the agency first appeared in the coveted list in 2019, Ardmore has risen seven places to sit proudly at position 21 for 2022.

Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council has launched a fresh and dynamic campaign to drive visitors to Armagh and the wider borough this spring to enjoy its history, heritage and culture portrayed through an established jam-packed spring events programme, visitor attractions and an unrivalled hospitality offer.

Following the sell-out success of Armagh’s flagship Home of St. Patrick Festival, which ran over nine days until 19 March, the reinvigoratingly fresh spring programme aims to generate demand amongst audiences across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and further afield, driving visitor bookings for short breaks, day trips and longer stays to the fast-growing visitor destination by showcasing the best it has to offer for every traveller and budget.

Tarasis Enterprises, comprised of four key business divisions focused on healthcare, support services, housing and renewables, was officially launched under a new brand identity today (Wednesday 22nd March 2023), streamlining operations to meet new five-year growth goals.

With offices in Belfast, Dublin, Sligo and Armagh, the 28-year-old company, which has invested more than £10 million in the housing and renewables sector over the last number of years, also announced plans to invest a further £10 million across all its divisions.

Northern Ireland’s newest boutique hotel, The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn, part of Galgorm Collection, has achieved AA 4-Star Silver status and been awarded a prestigious AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence 2023.

The latest accolade for Galgorm Collection sees the group awarded AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence across its entire portfolio of hotel restaurants including Fratelli Ristorante at Galgorm, Hunter’s Bar at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat in Templepatrick - currently AA Hotel of the Year for Northern Ireland - and now its newest offering, the restaurant at The Old Inn.

Lidl Northern Ireland, the region’s fastest-growing supermarket, has been given the green light to construct a new state-of-the-art store at Boucher Road, bringing the retailer’s high quality, low price offering to residents in south Belfast for the first time.

Belfast City Council granted planning permission this week for the new store after an extensive local consultation with stakeholders and the wider community, as well as onsite engagement with elected representatives, which was positively received.

Secondary school pupils across the country are benefitting from the Lidl Northern Ireland Sport for Good Schools Programme, a dedicated mental health athlete mentorship programme delivered by Lidl Northern Ireland as part of the retailer’s established ‘Sport for Good’ campaign which aims to tackle youth mental health head on.

The programme, developed in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, first launched in 2021 and has since supported more than 5,200 secondary school pupils across Northern Ireland. Survey feedback from last year’s programme revealed that 83% of participants felt Lidl Northern Ireland’s programme boosted their overall confidence and 100% of teachers committed to changing the mental health support programmes in their schools as a result.

Young artists across Northern Ireland have just five weeks to put the finishing touches to their creative masterpieces and enter the inaugural Bradley Art Prize – a new art initiative led by renowned artist Terry Bradley and sponsored by Radius Connect which aims to support fresh artistic ideas and talent.

With an unprecedented number of submissions already received the stellar panel of judges has also been expanded to meet demand for the competition, which closes on 31 March.
New judges include renowned award-winning tattoo artist Gigi McQueen and Bradley Art Prize sponsor Stephen McQuoid, Regional Director for Ireland at Radius Connect. They join an existing line-up of famed artists and critiques including Terry Bradley and wife Ashley, Hollywood film producer Martin Brennan and NI Executive Brussels Director Aodhán Connolly.

Retail NI has launched a new Supply Chain Forum to connect and promote trading opportunities with local producers, manufacturers and suppliers with its independent retail and wholesale members.

The new Supply Chain Forum was officially launched at Retail NI’s Supplier Showcase event, which took place on Thursday 23 February at PwC, Belfast.

Lidl Northern Ireland has joined forces with an innovative ‘out of home’ self-service parcel locker provider to make its parcel lockers available to customers across the region, offering them the convenience of picking up or returning their online purchases, at the same time as their regular shop.

The strategic partnership with parcel locker company OOHPod, is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, and will see Lidl roll out the lockers to stores across the region in the months ahead, simplifying online shopping for customers.

Lidl Northern Ireland has become the first supermarket retailer in the region to implement a rollout of a major new initiative aimed at reducing food waste and bringing shoppers even more savings at the tills.

Lidl Northern Ireland’s Waste Not boxes, priced at just £2.50, will contain at least 5kg of mixed fruit and vegetables which are perfectly good to eat but have been separated from other products which have become slightly damaged and removed from multipacks.

Armagh City, the home of St Patrick, is celebrating his life and legacy as part of an eight-day festival of events that gets underway on Saturday 11 March.

Held in the ecclesiastical capital, this year’s cultural offering combines an exciting programme of traditional live music, art, poetry, theatre, film and dance and takes in many of the city’s iconic Georgian streets and venues. 

Retail NI, which represents the independent retail and wholesale sector in Northern Ireland, will host its first ever Supplier Showcase event next month to promote and celebrate the huge contribution local producers, manufacturers and suppliers make to its members and the wider local economy.
Supported by key partners United Wines, McCausland Car Parks and Voice for Locals, the event will take place on Thursday 23 February from 4-6pm at the prestigious new PwC building in Merchant Square, Belfast.

41 lucky shoppers across Northern Ireland take part in festive dash to bag their entire Christmas shop for free in support of NSPCC Northern Ireland

Retail NI backs call from the Roam Local app to support independent retailers in Belfast and beyond over Christmas and New Year

Belfast wins top ABPCO award for Harkin Summit Belfast at leading event industry awards

The award-winning dealership underwent a £2.1m transformation earlier this year

Belfast’s Boucher Road showroom will be the only outlet for Lotus within Northern Ireland

Public encouraged to spread good cheer and volunteer as a befriender to the elderly community and give the gift of friendship this Christmas

New Impact Report launched by the retailer demonstrates its significant impact in supporting local producers and championing Northern Ireland’s agri-food produce globally

Lidl Northern Ireland has this Christmas teamed up with renowned broadcaster and household favourite Julian Simmons for the return of its major festive fundraiser Trolley Dash, in aid of charity partner NSPCC Northern Ireland.

Belfast-based digital marketing agency Built for Growth (BFG) Digital has been named the Best eCommerce Agency in the UK by the eCommerce Association at the UK eCommerce Awards 2022.

Leading telecoms and IT provider eir evo has signed a new 10-year lease to take residency in office development The Vantage.

Renowned artist Terry Bradley is launching a new art initiative to drive fresh talent and creativity among young people in Northern Ireland.

Lookers celebrates the success of its inspirational women who are officially recognised for their outstanding contribution

Leading motoring group Lookers Plc, which acquired car retailer Taggarts in 2003, is unifying its well-known Lookers brand to include Taggarts in Scotland.

Holywood-based public relations consultancy LK Communications is celebrating a quadruple award win this week after officially securing Northern Ireland’s ‘PR Consultancy of the Year’ title at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Pride Awards 2022.

Lookers transforms Nissan Chester site in £750,000 investment in latest dealership upgrade

Leading advertising agency Ardmore is on course for net zero status after becoming the first creative agency in Northern Ireland to sign with three leading national and international industry bodies focused on sustainable transformation.

Lookers’ colleagues from across the UK take part in nationwide cross-country cycle to raise £150,000 for UK charities

The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat was named Hotel of the Year Northern Ireland 2022 at the AA Hospitality Awards this week.

Lookers Crewe BMW to create a new, state-of-the-art BMW retail and aftersales hub in the North West.

Olympic and Paralympic heroes and local sporting legends have teamed up with Lidl Northern Ireland to launch this year’s Sport for Good Schools Programme which, in partnership with children’s charity Youth Sport Trust, aims to promote positive mental health amongst secondary school pupils across Northern Ireland through sport.

Hospitality Ulster and Retail NI back Roam Local rollout plans with major Belfast launch after Bangor success

Aspiring chefs are being called to step up to the plate and enroll on a brand-new training course, launched today by the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, offering students the chance to gain a chef qualification and secure guaranteed employment with one of Northern Ireland’s top hotels.

Lidl Northern Ireland, the region’s fastest-growing supermarket, made a splash at Belfast’s Shore Road today with the official opening of its new, dramatically transformed store which gives customers more space to shop an expanded product range, delivering even more ‘Big on Quality, Lidl on Price’ savings for the local area.

Trinseo has opened its new Global Business Services (GBS) office in Dublin City Centre, welcoming representatives from leading local businesses and organisations, staff and partners to an official unveiling ceremony attended by Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD.

New award-winning app 'Roam Local' is launched in Bangor ahead of borough-wide and Northern Ireland rollout.

Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the installation of five new pollinator gardens, as part of its commitment to supporting biodiversity.

Grahams Bakery and Lidl Northern Ireland are a batch made in heaven with new £2.5 million supply deal for cakes, swiss rolls and rocky roads.

Wirefox, a Holywood-based investment company, has acquired The Bushmills Inn Hotel and restaurant, through its Marram Hotel Partners entity.

Leading telecoms and IT provider eir evo has embarked on a new drive for growth in Northern Ireland as part of an ambitious strategy that brings its island-wide experience and powerful technical know-how to new and existing customers.

If you’re creative, driven and media savvy and want to work alongside the brightest minds in PR, advertising, design, social &, digital, we’d love to hear from you. Say hello@lkcommunications.co.uk

Closing date Friday 13th May 2022.

Leading creative advertising and marketing agency Ardmore has acquired award-winning eCommerce consultancy and digital marketing specialist Built For Growth Digital (BFG Digital).

Lidl Northern Ireland is enhancing its industry-leading benefits package by offering enhanced fertility support including paid time off to any of its 1,300 employees undergoing IVF, regardless of length of service.

Northern Ireland’s largest car retailer, Charles Hurst, has been named Large National Dealer Group of the Year for 2022 at this year’s Motability Awards in recognition for the exceptional service its Motability customers receive across its dealership network.

Leading clinician Dr Andrew Mottram adds a suite of celebrity A-list treatments, skin cancer screening and advanced aesthetics as part of expanded new offering

An exciting new Asian food restaurant and takeaway is opening at Rushmere in May, adding extra spice and hospitality to one of Northern Ireland’s most successful shopping centres and retail complexes – and 20 new jobs.

Lidl Northern Ireland today announced a brand-new partnership with Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon as its official ‘Fresh Fruit Supplier’, providing competitors with an energetic and healthy boost to power them to the finish line when the race gets underway on Sunday, 1st May.

Kick Start’ alumni Hellbent secures permanent listing with Lidl Northern Ireland as retailer announces applications now open for 2022 supplier development programme

Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1-7 June, will honour local volunteers with a week-long programme of events as part of wider UK celebrations

All new for 2022, the refurbished Italian classic will reopen to the public on Friday 25 March with an excitingly authentic new menu

Construction work on two of Lidl Northern Ireland’s newest stores is under way in Belfast and Omagh as part of its multimillion-pound investment plans to transform older existing stores that reflect its bright, modern and award-winning ‘concept’ design.

Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the extension of its charity partnership with NSPCC Northern Ireland for a third consecutive time

Lookers creates 80 jobs in new ‘Jump Start’ trainee scheme

Lookers is seeking a record number of apprentices in aftersales, servicing and parts

Lidl Northern Ireland’s Sport for Good Schools Programme to tackle mental health head on in new partnership with Youth Sport Trust

Lidl Northern Ireland announces 180 new jobs and pay rewards of £1.5 million

New Executive Chef Ryan Stringer appointed at top Belfast restaurant James Street

Northern Ireland’s newest spa hotel welcomes local motorcycling legend Jonathan Rea OBE as first member of exclusive new £2 million spa and gym offering

LK Communications’ Kayleigh Tinney has been named as Chair of Northern Ireland’s first ever PRCA NI NextGen Committee.

Visit Belfast’s commitment in driving tourism growth in a new and sustainable way has been recognised by Britain’s leading body of conference organisers.

Planning application lodged to create modern concept store at prime retail site in south Belfast, extending Lidl’s presence across all four corners of the city

UK and Ireland’s leading motor retail and aftersales group revs up omnichannel options with new delivery fleet and instant valuation ‘click and sell’ online tool

Northern Ireland’s largest car retailer celebrates 110 years of investment, growth and success and pledges to deliver a carbon neutral estate

Lidl Northern Ireland’s flagship charity fundraising event Trolley Dash raises over £93,000 for NSPCC Northern Ireland

Visit Belfast has reappointed LK Communications to help support its mission to rebuild the city’s tourism economy and recovery plans through to 2024.

Lidl Northern Ireland to build three new concept stores at Carryduff, Castlereagh Road and Shore Road in an £18 million investment

Danny Bishop joins as Head of Learning and Development in newly-created position

A new initiative, the Ambassador Circle, was launched today to target and significantly grow the number of international business events hosted in Northern Ireland and promote Northern Ireland as a leading business and events destination.

One of Northern Ireland’s biggest heritage celebrations takes place this weekend when Armagh’s Georgian Weekend returns with a big line-up of outstanding food, drink and plenty of entertainment and activity to mark the official start of the Christmas countdown.

Lidl Northern Ireland today posted strong full year results for the 2020/2021 trading year, demonstrating exponential business growth during a period of unprecedented challenges.

The retailer, who was recently named Retail Company of the Year at the Business Eye Awards filed financial results for the period March 2020 – February 2021 recorded turnover of more than £345 million - up almost a quarter on the previous year.

Volunteer befrienders across Belfast have been brewing up a series of new afternoon tea events aimed at supporting vulnerable older people who experience social isolation and loneliness to establish new friendships, create connections and enjoy a social day out.

Shoppers set to bag their Christmas shop for just £1 as Lidl Northern Ireland’s charity Trolley Dash returns

Lidl Northern Ireland’s Sport for Good campaign returns for third year to promote positive mental health through sport within local secondary schools

Leading skincare expert and clinician Dr Andrew Mottram takes residency at The Skin Clinic at Galgorm, offering a brand-new suite of anti-ageing treatments

Lidl Northern Ireland is launching a recruitment roadshow to hire for 100 permanent new retail roles across its network of stores throughout the region to support its continued growth and expansion.

Award-winning Northern Irish entrepreneur and renowned business leader Mairead Mackle has launched a new book aimed at inspiring women to become women of power, featuring a powerful collection of insights and inspiration from 16 top female leaders from around the world.

Belfast has made the Top 20 official list of sustainable destinations in the world, securing a prominent place on the international stage as a leading city tourism destination committed to sustainable development and growth.

Galgorm announced plans today to create a suite of new accommodation and thermal spa options within its 380-acre County Antrim Estate which forms part of a £10 million investment that will create up to 50 new hospitality jobs over the next two years.

Leading UK and Ireland agency LK Communications has appointed Geri Wright to its Board, further supporting its continued strategic growth ambitions.

Visit Belfast Welcome Centre recognised as best in class at first NITA Awards held since 2019

Deli Lites enlists Radius Connect to enhance digital connectivity across the UK and Ireland

Northern Ireland’s premier luxury destination collects hat trick of awards for excellence across its accommodation, spa and restaurant offering

Northern Ireland cosmetics brand BPerfect leads a new line-up of retailers at Rushmere

Global materials company Trinseo announces expansion into Ireland with opening of new office at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay that will fill 130 jobs over the next six months.

Aflac Northern Ireland, a subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated, has joined forces with the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity to help provide comfort to local children diagnosed with cancer.

Par Equity, an Edinburgh-based specialist in high-growth early-stage tech businesses, is increasing its support for cutting-edge companies in Northern Ireland to £20 million after a string of successful transactions.

City of Derry International Choir Festival gets warmed up for 20 October launch with call for choirs around the world to join its showstopping virtual choral event

The stopwatch for next year’s election to the Northern Ireland Assembly has started. Whether that time runs out next May, as initially planned, or before that, remains to be seen.

Top three UK car retailer and aftersales group Lookers plc has launched a new campaign to recruit 100 technicians across its UK & Ireland network of 152 dealerships and is urging skilled and graduate technicians to see what is on offer.

Lidl Northern Ireland has awarded Newtownards-based fresh food producer Willowbrook Foods an expanded supply deal worth £11 million – almost double its previous contract - to supply 25 new lines of fresh convenience foods across its network of 210 stores throughout the island of Ireland.

We’re on the hunt for an exceptional Client Director and Client Manager to join our award-winning team.

Galgorm Collection today revealed plans to throw open the doors of its newest venture and welcome guests and visitors back to The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn from Friday 3 September

Lidl Northern Ireland becomes first supermarket in the region to support those affected by period poverty in major new initiative backed by Homeless Period Belfast

Ireland’s Maiden City confirms world class, big-name programme of live and digital choral events for 2021

Scrumptious food, bubbling cider and a huge serving of top-end gastronomic experiences are all back on the menu next month when Armagh’s award-winning Food and Cider Weekend gets under way on Thursday 9 September.

Northern Ireland self-serve frozen yogurt sensation Spoon Street is on its way to Rushmere Shopping Centre as part of renewed growth plans to add new stores and jobs across the region.

One of Portadown’s most successful independent retailers, The Bottom Drawer, has bagged a 35% extension to its retail space, making way for a growing product range after a strong rise in walk-in and online sales.

The ever-popular Belfast punk band, The Outcasts are set to make an explosive return to the stage at Ward Park in Bangor at Punk in the Park this summer as restrictions are eased and live gigs are permitted.

The investment by Galgorm Collection, which owns the world-renowned Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort and a number of other properties across Belfast and Antrim, includes £1 million in further development and extension plans to the property.

The Gallaher Trust has announced the launch of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School offering enrollers the chance to gain a hospitality qualification and secure guaranteed employment with one of Northern Ireland’s top hotels.

Lidl Northern Ireland, together with the NOW Group, has announced it will be the first retailer to become Just A Minute (JAM) Card friendly across its network of stores in the island of Ireland over the coming weeks. Lidl has also committed to sponsoring 6,000 JAM Cards which contributes towards keeping the cards free and accessible to those who need them.

Galgorm Collection has announced the opening of Northern Ireland’s newest luxury hotel in an investment worth £10 million that will create an additional 26 hospitality jobs, taking its total workforce to almost 100 team members, and provide an exciting welcome break for visitors from this summer.

Lookers plc has confirmed the appointment of Chris Whitaker to the role of Chief People Officer, effective immediately, completing a series of Senior Management appointments.

Lidl Northern Ireland has become the first retailer in the UK and Ireland to launch a fully green transport fleet powered by waste-to-energy generation, in partnership with leading local logistics company McCulla Transport.

Galgorm today announced the launch of a brand new recruitment drive to hire more than 180 additional new team members for a range of hospitality roles for its hotels and restaurants in Ballymena, Belfast and Templepatrick.

Leading Northern Ireland IT and telecoms solutions provider Rainbow Communications is on new path for renewed growth after being acquired by Sunday Times Top Track 100 company Radius Payment Solutions.

Lidl Northern Ireland is your one-stop shop this year for the ideal luxurious Mother’s Day gifts. Whether your mum is a candle or diffuser lover, a flower queen or an espresso enthusiast, Lidl has affordable but chic options to spoil your mum this year with prices starting at just £3.59.

Ireland’s real home of St Patrick, Armagh, has unveiled details of a packed six-day schedule of events to celebrate the island’s famous patron saint with the world this month.

Irwin’s Bakery has proven a big success with Lidl Northern Ireland as the region’s fastest growing supermarket today confirmed a new and expanded contract for the full year ahead after a successful 20-year partnership deal worth more than £50 million.

Lidl Northern Ireland has gone to top of the class after awarding 40 secondary schools £3,000 worth of vouchers each to secure essential brand-new sports equipment as part of the retailer’s Sport for Good initiative, which aims to encourage and support young people to make the most of the physical and mental benefits of sport participation.

Visit Belfast has outlined the development of its new strategy to support the city’s economic recovery post Covid-19.

Raindrop is a flexible, smart and secure solution specifically designed for self-employed workers to save for their futures in one easy-to-use online platform.

New roles are being created to support Lidl’s growth across the region and will expand the retailer’s workforce to over 1,200 staff

Vehicle Vision says pandemic puts UK motor industry on new digital path in 2021

One lucky winner will have their masterpiece printed on new recycled shopping bags stocked in all 40 Lidl Northern Ireland stores

Construction already under way and funding firmly secured to deliver landmark 200,000 sq. ft in Belfast city centre

Thousands of students across Northern Ireland joined forces for the Beauty and the Beast digital extravaganza

New Assist platform will transform the customer – dealership experience, says founders.

Annual charity dash raises a staggering £100,000 for NSPCC Northern Ireland this Christmas.

New £6 million town centre investment will support 120 jobs as part of region-wide expansion.

Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing supermarket creates 30 jobs and invests £3 million in new store opening

Shelbourne Motors enlists Rainbow Communications to add new Cloud-based contact and online technology to its growing business.

Full steam ahead for new Belfast store plans at Boucher Road, Crumlin Road, Castlereagh Road, Holywood Exchange and Shore Road.

Sweepstake tickets on sale in 40 Lidl stores across the region from 16th – 29th November with 100% of proceeds donated to charity partner NSPCC.

Colin McNab steps down from Charles Hurst after almost 50 years’ service to the local motor industry.

Aflac Northern Ireland has officially marked its first year in Northern Ireland. The company has opened a new state-of-the-art hub at Belfast’s City Quays 2 and confirmed that with 65 employees now on board, it is well ahead of its three-year target to recruit 150 local tech staff by 2023.

Are you looking to kick start your PR career with one of Northern Ireland’s leading communications agencies? Are you a motivated self-starter with a passion for news and public relations?

Secondary schools across Northern Ireland set to score £120,000 worth of new sports equipment

The new South Lake Leisure Centre opened safely to the public and in line with current public health guidelines today, Monday 2 November 2020.

The expansive state-of-the-art facility is home to a brand new 50-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and 1,000m2 gym – the largest on the island of Ireland – and is now open seven days a week on a pre-booking basis for everyone to enjoy.

Leading local social enterprise incredABLE awarded contract to deliver hospitality services at South Lake Leisure Centre.

Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the second extension of the retailer’s charity partnership with NSPCC Northern Ireland. The partnership will continue until 2022 with Lidl Northern Ireland increasing its fundraising commitment to a staggering £600,000 in support of NSPCC Northern Ireland’s vital services across the region.

In the face of all the gloom, there was at least some sense of ‘normality' last week after Apple kept to its promise and finally revealed its new iPhone 12 series to the world. The launch may have been a month late but still worth the wait and with some surprising albeit unexpected innovations announced.

Northern Ireland’s largest independent cloud telecommunications and IT provider, Rainbow Communications, has been accredited as a global Microsoft Silver partner, putting it in the top five percent of companies in the world which holds the award.

Value Car Parks launches new 575 space state-of-the-art parking facility in Belfast City Centre as McCausland Group marks 100 years in business.

New branch for Portadown Post Office at West Street and more retail announcements expected soon.

LK Communications today named a new addition to its senior team.

Leading skin clinic expands premier skincare offering and launches new IMAGE tailored facial.

Torax Biosciences, a leading Northern Ireland life sciences and biomedical company, has launched a revolutionary new, clinically approved hand sanitiser proven to kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses .

Ireland’s Orchard County’s award-winning food and drink event confirmed for a September return.

Northern Ireland’s largest independent telecoms company hails importance of mobile and data services to economic growth.

Armagh County Museum, Market Place Theatre and Brownlow House follow Navan Centre & Fort and FE McWilliam Gallery in opening their doors

As the UK Government’s 4-week initiative ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ gets underway, Belfast’s first citizen, Lord Mayor Alderman Frank McCoubrey was doing just that.

One of the UK and Ireland’s artistic ‘hidden gems’ is safely welcoming everyone back

Steeped in Celtic history, Navan Centre in Ireland’s Orchard County provides a legendary FREE day out this August

First Minister Arlene Foster welcomes Galgorm’s newest tourism investment as guests are safely welcomed back.

First Minister Arlene Foster welcomes Galgorm’s newest tourism investment as guests are safely welcomed back.

New-look bar and restaurant launches this month to mark the arrival of The Rabbit Hotel, formerly known as The Templeton.

Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort has become one of the UK’s first hospitality businesses to secure the new AA COVID Confident Mark for its health and safety commitment ahead of reopening on Friday 24th July.

Top Northern Ireland horticulturalist Greenisland Flowers is blooming today after securing a new supply deal with Lidl Northern Ireland to ship more than four million stems of freshly cut tulips, lilies and scented stocks to its 202 stores in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Local and international experts join leading panel this week to help NI businesses get back on track

FE Colleges say part-time and online learning can help to power regional economic growth.

Preparations under way for wider reopening at one of Northern Ireland’s largest retail destinations

Landmark export deal will drive new pizza sales in more than 1,000 stores across UK and Ireland.

Belfast’s tourism appeal is reaching the homes of millions of people both near and far, thanks to a range of targeted digital activity aimed at keeping online users regularly engaged.

A new campaign was launched today to provide people across Northern Ireland with the tools to upskill their digital abilities and improve online confidence as thousands of people turn to the internet to help navigate the COVID-19 crisis whilst tackling isolation at home.

Charles Hurst has announced it will open its Jaguar Land Rover workshop from 6th April to provide car repairs for frontline and essential key workers.

Galgorm Collection will be donating a staggering £750,000 worth of experience vouchers to the Northern Health & Social Care Trust frontline staff in recognition for their hard work, bravery, and commitment to helping patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carsmetic NI, part of the Charles Hurst Group, has completed delivery of its first batch of essential protective equipment to medical staff at Craigavon Area Hospital.

BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating puts Armagh SRC among the most sustainable FE colleges in the UK and Ireland

Volunteer Now, the lead organisation for promoting and supporting volunteering across Northern Ireland, is urging people in Belfast to get into volunteering and find their perfect match through its brand new online search portal.

Rainbow Communications adds a new superfast oomph at La Mon Hotel & Country Club

CastleCourt today launched its brand-new ‘Shopstars’ kid’s club - a free, monthly educational workshop kicking off this Saturday 29th February from 12-4 pm.

Ireland’s ecclesiastical capital, Armagh, has announced details of a 12-day festival spectacular to celebrate the life and times of St Patrick, the island’s world-famous patron saint.

LK Communications is delighted to be shortlisted in the PRCA Digital Awards 2020 for ‘Best Use Of Social Media Influencers in a Campaign’ for its work with Visit Belfast in delivering a powerful tourism destination campaign – ‘Make It Belfast’.

Six-month Countdown to Completion of Flagship South Lake Leisure Centre.

Volunteer Now Launches New Volunteering Platform in Partnership with Be Collective.

Construction of transformative city centre office development The Paper Exchange starts this week

Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort has welcomed a new decade of growth after a 10-year, £60 million investment program which has transformed the Resort into a world-class international tourism destination. It also plans to invest an additional £20 million over the next five years.