Thelatestnewsandexclusivesfromacross Norther nIrelandandbeyond
Coverstory
BarclayCommunicationsonitsworkwith someofourleadinghospitalityvenues
22
InFocus
JohnMulgrewsitsdownwithHinch’shead distillerandmanager WillStafford
35
IT &cyber-security
PavelBarterasksifNorther nIrelandisfalling behindintheautonomousvehiclerace 43
Energy,waste& environment
Thefirmsworkingacrossthecirculareconomy
MeetoneofBelfast’stopbreadmakers
Roadcompensationclaimsareontherisehere, withmorethan£20mpaidoutinfiveyears. 70
Food &drink
JohnMulgrewlooksattwosmoky recipesto roundoutthehotsummer
77
Motoring
PavelBartertakes aroadtriptoFranceinone ofMazda’sseven-seaters 84
Photocall
Alookatwhat’sbeenhappeningacross Norther nIrelandoverthelastmonth 92 Lifestyle
JohnMulgrewpays avisittothenewRolex boutiqueatQueen’sArcadeinBelfast
TheGalaxy ZFold7: aslim,lightmasterpiece butwithonebigdrawback
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EDITOR’S COMM EN TS
Abusyyear ahead for NIbusinesses It’shardtobelieve thatthesummer isnowverymuchintherearview mirror
Thelastfewmonthsbroughtusmany positivebusinessstories,along withthe launchofthe UlsterBusiness Top100, in associationwithKPMG
However, thereremainmanychallenges acrossthesectors,whileothersdeal withtariffconcernsandthecontinued complexityoftheoutworkingsofthe WindsorFramework.
Butwe’reheadinginto abusyperiodfor businesses(andnews)here,following therelativelyquietersummerperiod.In thisSeptembereditionof UlsterBusiness, wespeaktoarangeofbusinessesabout
whattheirplansare,themarketstheyare targeting,andtheR&Dthat’songoingto ensurethey remainatthefrontofthepack.
Ispeakto WillStafford,headdistillerand manageratHinchDistillery,basednotfar fromCarryduff.
Thebusiness,foundedby TerryCross,has alwayshasalwaysputexportstothefore ofitsitsoperatingmodel.Infact,just5-7% ofsalesarebasedhereinNorthernIreland, withtheUKandIrelandas awholemaking uparound12%.
Butwhileit’snotparticularlyconcerned withtheUStariffscomingintoplay,asthat marketisn’tabigoneforthematpresent, it’salsolookingatnewareastoexport, includingIndia.
Inthisedition,PavelBarterlooksatwhether NorthernIrelandisbeingleftbehindinthe autonomousvehicleraceduetolegislative restrictions,aswellasexaminingsome ofthefirmsturningwasteintosuccessful businesses.
OurcoverstoryfeaturesBarclay Communications,anditsclientClandeboye Lodge.Thecompanyhas recently revitalised thehospitalityvenue’stelecoms,andworks with ahostofotherhotels,bars,and restaurantsacrossNorthernIreland.
Ihopeyouenjoythiseditionof Ulster Business.There’sahostofinterviews, profiles,analysis,featuresandmuchmore within. ■
JohnMulgrew
Publisher UlsterBusiness c/oMediahuisUKLtd Belfast TelegraphHouse,33ClarendonRoad, ClarendonDock,BelfastBT13BG
Printer W&GBaird GreystonePress,CaulsideDrive, AntrimBT412RS www.wgbaird.com
Editor
JohnMulgrew,john.mulgrew@mediahuis.co.uk
Advertising JudithMartin,judith.martin@mediahuis.co.uk
Graphicdesign SusanMcClean,MediahuisIrelandDesignStudio
Coverphoto DarrenKidd,PressEye
Amonth innumbers 1.2m
Thenumberoflitresof spiritbeingproduced byHinchDistilleryeach year.
3.8%
Therateofinflation intheUKinJuly, whichwashigherthan expected.
21%
Theproportionof hospitalitybusinesses herewhichsaythey don’thaveanycash reserves.
0.3%
Theaverageriseinthe priceofhomehere sincethestartofthe year.
CoDown distillery ‘toenterIndiamarket beforeChristmas’ ACoDownwhiskeydistilleryis aimingtoentertheburgeoning IndianmarketbeforeChristmas,it canbe revealed.
HinchDistillery,located afewmilesoutside Belfast,isnowproducingsome1.2millionlitres of spirit ayear,andhasjustlauncheditsfirst corerangeofdistillery-mademalts.
Itsheaddistillerandmanager,W illiam Stafford,saysit remainsfocusedonexports, andwantstotackletheIndiamarket.
“We’veneverhad amassive relianceonthe US– thewholetariffconversationhasn’treally impactedus,andwedon’thavealloureggsin onebasket,asmuchasit’sareally,reallycrucial marketforIrishwhiskeyandScotch,”hesaid We’rereallyexploringthatnowwithourwith ourownliquid.
“Wedon’twanttoseeanytariffsatall,but a10%tariffismanageable –there’sdefinitely waysofnavigatingthose.
“Becausethere’snotanawfulamountof HinchinAmerica,it’snotgoingtohave a
massiveimpact.But,we’llbeworkinginnow with afreshapproachandfreshpricepoints.”
AndontheIndianmarket,inwhichwhiskey isgrowingitsmarketshareconsiderably,Mr Staffordsayswhile anewUKtradedealwill makethingsmoreaffordable,it remains avery “priceconsciousmarket”.
“It’samarketwehaven’ttradedin beforeandwewillprobablybeinIndiain Novembertimethisyear.It’ssomethingweare enthusiasticabout.”
TheNorthernIrelandmarketisonlyabout 5-7%oftotalsales,whiletheUKandIrelandas awhole representsabout12%.
“Whenthedistillerywasbuilt,atthescale,it wasalwaysgoingtobetoolargeforNorthern Ireland,andIreland,soexportwasalwaysthe ambition,”MrStaffordsays.
Hinchisalsoworkingwithmorethan60 farmerstotryandgrowallofitsbarleyinthe widerCoDownarea.
It’shopingtouseonlyCoDown-grown barleyinitsspiritinthenexttwoorthreeyears.
Readthefullinterviewonpage22-23
WilliamStafford
JohnMulgrew
Stormont ‘mustdecide’ on wayforward forautonomous vehiclelegislation Stormontmustdecideifitwantstofollowfreshlegislation elsewheretheUKtoallowtheuseofautonomousvehicles on roadshere.
Northern Ireland requiresnewlegislativeframeworktopavetheway forautonomoustransport,accordingtothecreatorsoftheHarlander self-driveshuttlebusinBelfast’sT itanicQuarter.
IntheUK,theAutomated VehiclesAct(AVA)2024createdrules aroundliabilityandsafetyforautonomousvehicles.But,thislawdoes notpermitsuchvehiclestooperateonthestreetsofNorther nIreland without asafetydriver.
RossJames,directorofsolutionsatOxa,whichcreatedthesoftware forHarlander,described AVAas“agreatexampleof aproactive approach;acceleratingthepositiveimpactAIcandeliverwhilealso addressingpotentialrisk.”
“ButthisonlyappliesinGreatBritain.ItisnowfortheNorthern IrelandAssemblytodecidewhethertoenactitsownlegislation…to enablethefuturedeploymentoftrulydriverlessvehicles.”
From2026,self-drivingtaxisandbuseswillbepermittedonthe roads inGB.NI,ontheotherhand,isbeingleftbehind.
“Inthenorththereisalegislativegap,”MikeDawson,peopleand digitaltransformationdirectoratBelfastHarbourtold UlsterBusiness
Readthefullinterviewonpage35-38
PavelBarter
TheHarlanderautonomousvehicle whichoperatesintheTitanicQuarter
Amazonbuilding new‘EV charger’ infrastructureinBelfast RetailerAmazonis buildingnewinfrastructure atits TitanicQuarterbase tomakewayformoreEV chargingforitsfleetas itmovestowardszeroemissionvehicles,writes
JohnMulgrew Online retailgiantAmazon isbuildingnewelectricity infrastructureatitsBelfastbase tosupportitsgrowthintheuseofzeroemissionelectricvehicleshere,itcanbe revealed.
Amazonoperatesitsmainmajordelivery basefromtheT itanicQuarteratBelfast Harbour
Andit’snowdevelopingnewinfrastructure toassistinelectricvehiclechargersdemands,in abidtosupportitsfleetelectrification.
“Theproposedsubstationswillsupport chargingstationsforelectricvehiclesand complementtheoperationoftheAmazon warehouse,”planssays.
“Theproposedfacilitieswillbelocated onsmallpatchesofbrownfieldlandlocated adjacenttotheexistingAmazonBelfast depot.”
PartnerEOChargingisbehindthenew
Quotes of the month
development,andhashelped rolloutsome 800 EVchargersforthedigital retaileroverthe lastfewyears.
Amazon remainsoneEO’slargestclientsand areundergoingfleetelectrificationacrossmany ofitsdistributionsites.
“EOis apioneerinEVchargingandhas beenattheforefrontofelectrifyingfleetsfor a decade…sitesincludingat[Belfast],”planssay “Thiswillenable areductionincarbon emissionsandfacilitate amovetoutilising renewableenergytopowerthefleet.”
Itwill anewdevelopsubstationtodealwith the requiredpowercapacity,with adistribution networkoperator(DNO)ringmainunit(RMU).
Elsewhere,Amazon recentlyplaced a majororderofelectrictrucksforitsUKfleet, accordingtoInfrastructureNews.
Thatincludes140newelectricMercedes-
“Despite thehighlevels of economicuncertaint y, consumers in Northern Irelandhaveshowna considerabledegreeof resilience.”
DanskeBankchief economistConorLambe.
Benz TruckeActros600s,andeight VolvoFM Electrictrucks.
Andtosupporttheelectricfleet,Amazonis planningtoinstallfastcharginginfrastructure acrosskeyUKsites.
It’salsoexpandingitsfleetelsewhere, includingmorethan300newelectricvansfrom Rivian,whichwillhitthe roadinGermany
InNorthernIreland,Amazoncurrently operates afleetofelectricandzero-emission vanstodeliveracrossthe regionfromitsBelfast base.
InBelfast,thenewelectricityinfrastructureis beingdeveloped“toensurethatitisinkeeping withthecharacterandappearanceofthewider industrialsite”.
Asidefromelectricvans,whichoperate acrossNorthernIreland,Amazonalsoruns a fleetofelectriccargobikesinBelfast.
“Wedon’t want to seeany tarifs atall,but a10% tarif ismanageable –there’s definitelywaysofnavigating them.”
Hinch’sheaddistillerand manager,WillStafford,in thisedition.
“Itisnow forthe Northern Ireland Assembly to decide whethertoenactitsown legislation.”
RossJamesinthisedition of UlsterBusiness speaking aboutthefutureof autonomousvehicles.
Belfastartisanbakeryopening newlocationelsewhereincity ApopularBelfastbakeryis expandingintotheeastofthe citywith anewoutlet,itcanbe revealed.
Bread &Banjolookssettotakeon aunitat TemplemoreAvenue,whichcouldincludean “openbakery”whichwillallowcustomersto seetheprocessin realtime.
Ithasbeenoperatingforaround14yearsat itsspotontheOrmeauRoadinsouthBelfast.
Newplansshowthebakerycouldcreate aroundsevenjobs,andwouldbeopen MondaytoSaturday,from8amto3pm.
Thosebehindthenewbakerysayitaims todeliver a“high-qualitytransformationof thevacantuniton TemplemoreAvenueinto avibrantartisanbakerythat respectsthe characterofitssurroundings”.
“Ourinvestmentwillinclude astrongbrand identityandlogothat reflectthehistoryand charmofthearea.”
“Wewilltransform acurrentlyemptyunit on TemplemoreAvenueinto afullyoperational artisanbakery,removing avacantspacefrom thestreetandaddinglifetothelocalarea,” planssay.
“Thisimprovementwillenhancethe appearanceoftheavenueandcontributeto thewider regenerationofeastBelfast.
“Alargepartoftheinteriorwillbefittedout asanopenbakery,allowingcustomerstosee thebakingprocessin realtime.
“Thespacewillinclude aproductionkitchen wherefreshbreadandpastriesaremadedaily, withthesmellsandactivityaddingtothe customerexperience.
“Adedicated retailareawillbecreatedat thefrontoftheunit,featuring acafé-style setupwherecustomerscanorder ahotdrink totakeaway.”
Plansshowthenewbakerywillstocka rangeofhouse-madeproductssuchasjams,
sauces,andpickleswhichwillbe“allmadeinhouseaswellasbrandedmerchandise”.
“The retailfloorareawillbetiledwithrustic cottoItaliantiles,thewallswill retainthe originalstuccofinishandcoatedintextured paint.Thecolourpalletwillbesofthuesand neutraltones.
“Theservingcounterwillbeofnaturalwood andglass. We areanartisanbakeryproducing wholefoodswithoutartificialingredientsand wewantthe retailareato reflectthiswithout distractingformourproducts.”
OwnerJenniferStewart recentlyspoketo theBelfast Telegraphaboutitscrowd-funding plansearlierthisyear.
Shesaidshehasbeenhopingtoopenupa newlocationformuchofthebakery’s14-year existence.
“Backin2019,weput akitchendownstairs, andwegotridofourcaféarea,becausewe ranoutofstuffreallyquickly.
“AfterCovid,wegot reallybusy.Because mostpeoplecloseddown,butwedidn’t,so wegotevenbusier.
“Then Ithought,well,obviously,there’sa market,soI’dliketobein aspacethat’snot threestoreys,likethisone.
“It’sreallyawkwardworkingupstairs.It’snot averybig room;theovensaren’tverybig.
“Wecouldn’tget abiggeroveninbecause wecouldn’tgetitupthestairs –wecouldn’t evengetitthroughthewindow.”
JohnMulgrew
Bread &Banjo rainbowcrossiants
Bread &BanjobakeryontheOrmeauRoad
PainauchocolatatBread &Banjo
Second Irish brewermoves to theUStoescape tarifs hit AnIrishbeerbrand revivedby Smithwick’shasmovedmostofits brewingtotheUSin responseto the15%tariffPresidentDonald Trumphas putonEUimports
ThedecisionbySullivan’sBrewingCompany, aKilkennybeerbrandco-foundedbyDan andAlanSmithwickin2016,comesasbig pharmaceuticalandtechnologycompanies seektowoo Trumpbyannouncinglargescale investmentsintheUS. TechgiantApple recentlystruckadealwith Trumptoinvest $600bn(£443m)intheUSoverthenextfour yearstofosteran“end-to-end”Americanchip supplychain.
Sullivan’sdecidedtoshiftthevastmajority ofbrewingfromIrelandtotheUSasthe marketaccountsfor roughly70%ofits sales,meaningthe15%levywouldhammer thecompany’sabilitytocompetewithrival Americanbrands.Thestrengtheningofthe euroagainstthedollarfurthererodedSullivan’s pricecompetitiveness,addingtothepressure onthebusinesstomoveproductionfortheUS totheStates.
USinvestorMichaelMeade,thechief executiveofSullivan’s,saidthebeerbrandhad totakeactioninitslargestmarketastariffs could“submarine abusinesslikeours”.
“Wedecidedtodoexactlywhatthetariffs areintendedtoforcecompaniestoconsider, atleastAmericanones,andbrewsome beerinAmerica,”hesaid.“Wehad alotof machinationsaboutthat,becauseweare proudlyIrish.
“I rememberwhenDan’sfathershowed mearoundtheSmithwick’sbreweryforthe firsttime,andheaskedmewhatthelast beertoeverbebrewedtherewas. Ithought itwas atrickquestionandthatithadtobe Smithwick’s.ButtheanswerwasBudweiser. We becamelessafraidoftheideaasitmakes morebottom-linesenseforus”.
MeadesaidSullivan’shadalreadystockpiled
itsbeersintheUSaheadofthetariffs,buthad neared apointwhereitwouldneedtoexport more.
WiththeUSmarketcrucial,Meadeand Smithwickagreedtomoveproductionfor Americain-market.Ithasnowbegunbrewing intheUS.
Smithwick,thechiefoperatingofficerof Sullivan’s,saidtheweaknessoftheUSdollar versustheeurowasalso akeyconsideration formovingbrewingtotheUS.
“Evenifitwasn’tforthetariffs,wewould losemoneyoneverykegsold,”hesaid.
SmithwicksaidSullivan’srecentlylanded adealtosupplyitsbeerstoDisneyland, Florida.Thecompany’sbeers,includingits BlackMarbleStoutandMaltingsRedAle,are availablein48USstates.
TheUSmovewon’taffectitssmallbrewing
operationinKilkenny,saidSmithwick.The Irishbrewerywillfocusondomesticdraught production,withsomeofitsbeerbeing producedforotherexportmarketsbycontract partnersinIreland.
Smithwickis agrandsonof Walter Smithwick,whosoldthefamilyaletoGuinness inthe1960s.Brewingoperationswereonly movedoutofKilkennyin2014.
Firstestablishedin1702,the revived Sullivan’sbrewingnamewasonceamongthe largestinIrelandandwas,likeSmithwick’s, basedinKilkenny.
Sullivan’sisthesecondIrishbrewertohave shiftedsomeproductiontotheUSin response totariffs.CoSligo’sTheWhiteHagBrewing CompanyhasalsosecuredanAmerican contractbrewerforsomebeeritsellsinthe US.
USPresidentDonald Trumppicturedoutside theWestWing
NI consumer confidence on therise ConsumerconfidenceinNorthern Irelandincreasedinthesecond quarterof2025, afreshsurveysays. Lowerratesofinflation relativetothose experiencedin recentyearsandrisingwages provided aboosttoconfidence,accordingto DanskeBank.
“Butthelingeringimpactofhigher pricesandelevatedglobalrisksdampened sentiment,”itsaid.
Thebank’squarterlyConsumerConfidence Index rosebyninepointsto141inthesecond quarteroftheyearfrom132intheprevious
quarterand133inthesameperiodof2024, aspeoplealso reportedimprovedsentiment aboutjobsecurityandexpectedspendingon high-valueitems.
“Oursurveyshowedthatsentimentaround currentfinances,futurefinances,jobsecurity andexpectedspendingonexpensiveitemsall increasedoverthequarter,”DanskeBankchief economist,ConorLambe,said.
“Althoughinflationpickedupduring quartertwo,thegenerallysofterpaceofprice rises relativeto recentyearswas akeyfactor boostingconfidencelevels,closelyfollowedby
risingwages.
“Globalrisks remainelevatedandoursurvey showed asmallupliftintheproportionof respondentsselectingthisfactorasthemain negativeinfluenceontheirconfidencelevels.
“However,thelingeringimpactofhigher pricescontinuedtobethefactorhaving thelargestdampeningeffectonconsumer sentiment.Inflationislikelyto remainabove targetoverthe restof2025andinto2026, continuingtoexertpressureonhousehold finances.
“Despitethehighlevelsofeconomic uncertainty,consumersinNorther nIreland haveshown aconsiderabledegreeof resilience,withthislatestriseinconfidence furtherevidenceofthat.
“Inquartertwo,globalriskshad anegative impacton17%of respondents,upslightly from14%inthefirstquarteroftheyear.This likely reflectstheincreaseduncertainty relating toglobaltradepolicy,includingUStariffs,and geopoliticaldevelopmentsgiventheevents ofthelastfewmonths.Highlevelsofglobal uncertaintyarelikelytocontinuetoweighon economicactivity.
“Lookingforward,somekeyfactorswhich couldimpactpeople’ssentimentincludeglobal risks,changesintherateofinflation,potential fiscalandmonetarypolicychangesandthe performanceofthelocallabourmarket.”
Confidenceaboutfinancialpositions increasedby10pointsoverthequarterto 143,thehighest readingsincethesecondhalf of2021,whileconfidence relatingtofuture financesalsoincreasedoverthequarterbut wasslightlylowerthaninthesecondquarter of2024.
Meanwhile,jobsecurity reached aseries high readingof117.Thelocallabourmarket isin areasonably robustpositionbutthere aresomesignsthatthejobsmarketcouldbe beginningtosoften.
Sentimentaroundpeoples’expectations ofspendingonhighvalueitemsincreased by11pointsoverthequarterandthesurvey alsoshowedincreasedconfidence relatingto peoples’savingsexpectations.
DanskeBankchief economistConor Lambe
VanMorrisonmuseum plans ‘couldimpactparking and footfall’toresidentialarea Theconversionofthechildhood homeofSir VanMorrisonintoa museumcouldimpactlocalparking andincreasefoottrafficto alargely residentialarea,it’sbeenclaimed.
Sir Vangrewupinaterracedhouseat125 HyndfordStreet,locatedineastBelfast.
Aplaquedetailingthatthestarlivedthere adornsthewall,whiletouristsandtaxitours frequentlystopoutsideitfor apicture.
Workhasbeguninsidethehouse,while planshavenowbeensubmittedtochangethe homefrom residentialusetothatof amuseum tothestar.
Theplanscouldseesmallgroupsofprebookedtouristsarrivingbymini-bus,according tothosebehindthescheme.
“Themuseumwillbeoperationalduringthe dayonly, therefore whendemandforon-street parkingislowest,”supportingdocumentssaid.
However,twolettersofobjectionhavenow beenfiledbyneighboursinthearea.
Concernsraisedincludetheimpactto parkingonthestreet,noise,aswellas increasedfootfall.
“Thesehousesaresmallterracehousesand noiselevelscanbeanissueevenwhentheyare for residentialuse,”onelettersaid.
“Thereare alreadyissueswithparkingso dependingonthepredictedfootfallofthe museum, Iwouldliketoknowifthiswillbean issue.”
Anotherlettersaid“parkingisalready impossibleasisthestrugglefordisabled people,motherandchild,andchildren,touse thepavementis asafemanner”.
“Allowing apremisessuch amuseumin suchahighdensity residentialarearunsthe riskofincreasedfootfallandfoottraffic… additionallyso,thequietenjoymentofthe
residencesislostduetopotentialincreased footfall,photographyandintroductionofhigh short-termtrafficduringwhatisalreadyan extremelybusy residential roadactingasan ancillaryavenuebetweenBeersbridgeRoad andGrandParade”.
TheplanshavebeenmadebyRichard Waring,withtheapplicationsubmittedby planningconsultancyBellRolston.
Thebuildingisaround730sqftinsize, locatedclosetotheComberGreenway,and notfarfromCyprus Avenue,thetitleofoneof hismostfamoussongsfromtheclassic1968 albumAstral Weeks.
Thosebehindtheschemeareseeking permissionfor achangeofusefrom residential tomuseumuse.
Insupportingdocuments,developersstate thattheoperationalhourscouldbebetween 9amand6.30pm,MondaytoSaturday.
“Whilethereison-streetparking,the proposaldoesnot relyonsame –themuseum willbeusedbyappointmentonlyandcomprise adrop-offandpick-uparrangement,”they said.
Sir Vanreceivedhisknighthoodin2016 andannouncedhewill retur ntothestagein thecitythissummer,justweeksafter arun ofconcertsmarkingtheBelfastman’s80th birthday.
Whileoriginallyannouncedas asingle showonSunday,August31, aseconddate onAugust30shortlyafterthefirstsoldout, takingplaceinthe WaterfrontHall. ■
PlanshavebeensubmittedtoturntheformerchildhoodhomeofSir VanMorrisoninto amuseum
JohnMulgrew
Howemployerscancatchthewave ofpost-summerjobapplicants JohnMoore,managingdirector,HaysNI
There’sadefinitesenseof“backto school”inthebusinessworldin Septemberasthelullbroughtabout bysummerholidayscomestoanabrupt end.
It’satimewhenmanyprofessionalsstartto thinkabouttakingthenextstepintheircareer following aperiodof rest, relaxationand reflection,andcoincideswithmorerecruitment campaignskickingintogearasprojectsramp upinthefinalquarterofthecalendaryear.
Whilethisso-called‘SeptemberSurge’ doesn’thappenacrosstheboard,andmany organisationsmakekeyhiresallyear round, Iexpectsomeversionofthisuptickinjob huntingandnewrolescomingintothemarket tooccurthismonthinNorther nIreland.
Hays’2025Employment TrendsSpring Surveyshowedthatnineintenemployers continuedtofaceskillsshortagesinthe previousmonthsandthatsourcingtalent remains achallenge.Forthosehopingtocatch theattentionofpotentialpost-summerjob applicants,thereare afewtipsto remember.
Firstly,bepreparedtobeflexiblewith skills requirements. WithAIusageincreasing andemergingtechnologiesbecomingmore widespread,theskillsyouneedtodaycould veryquicklychangeinthemonthsahead.
Our2025Salary &Recruiting Trends research showedthatsomeofthetopsoftskills employersarelookingforincludetheabilityto adaptwelltochange(36%)andtolear nand upskilleffectively(30%).
So,it’s more importantthaneverfor employerswhoarecreatingjobadvertsto criticallyevaluatewhichskillsaremust-haves in anewhireandwhichcanbetaught.This willhelpyoutobroadenyourtalentpooland perhapsfindpeoplewhoareactuallybetter equippedtoadapttoongoingchange.
Secondly,makeiteasyforapplicantsto findtheinformationtheyneed.Ifyoudon’t makethiseasy,peoplewillbequicktolook elsewhere.Thatofcourseincludesimportant
salaryinformation,butour researchshows employeescanbeequallyfrustratedbynot beingabletofindanorganisation’sDE&I policywhen researching apotentialemployer, aswellasyourorganisation’sapproachto flexibleworking,purpose,commitment tosustainabilityandcareerdevelopment opportunities.
Relatedtothatinformation,it’simportant topresentanaccurateemployeevalue proposition(EVP) –whichoutlineswhy someoneshouldwanttoworkforyour organisation.Having astrongEVPishugely importantwhenhiring –withalmostseven intenprofessionalstellingusin researchlast yearthatanemployer’sEVPhaspositively influencedtheirdecisiontocontinuewith ajobapplicationinthepast.Makingsure yourEVPaccurately reflectsthe realityof workingforyourcompanyisalsocrucial. Currently,over40%ofemployeesdon’tthink
theirorganisation’sEVPmatchestheirlived experience,whichcouldimpactonemployee retentionfurtherdowntheline.
ThefinalpieceofadviceI’dgiveisthat employersalsoneedtoworknotonlyon theirEVPbutonthehiringprocessitself. Itischallengingenoughsometimesfor organisationstoattractgoodjobapplicants, butitcanbeequallyhardkeepingpeople engagedduringthehiringprocess.
Overlylongprocesses, alackof communication,poorinterviewexperiencesor unpreparedinterviewersarejustsomeofthe irritationsthathavebeenhighlightedinHays researchasputtingpeopleofffromcontinuing ajobapplication.So,takestepstostreamline yourhiringprocessesasmuchaspossibleto avoidlosinggreatpotentialemployeeslater.
Keepingalloftheaboveinmindwill setyourorganisationon agoodfootingto competeforthebesttalent. ■
Musgrave ‘contributes £1.2bn to localeconomy’:report Food retailerandwholesaler
Musgravesaysit’sdeliveredan economicimpactofaround£1.2bnin Norther nIrelandinthelastyear.
Thecompany,whichisbehindbrandssuch asMace,Centra,andSuperValu,saidthatalso includedaround£329minGVA(grossvalue added).
“Weare extremelyproudof[thefigures],” TrevorMagill,MusgraveNImanagingdirector, said.“I’mveryproudofteamworkingonthat, on aday-to-daybasis.”
TheGrowingGoodBusiness:AnEconomic andSocialImpactReport,preparedby economistsatGrantThorntononbehalfof MusgraveNI,setsouthowcriticalthe retail, wholesaleandfoodservicebusinessisto Norther nIreland –supportingtheemployment ofover5,000jobs,workingwith250local suppliersandinvestingsignificantlyinlocal communities,aswellasinsustainabilityand affordabilityinitiatives.
“AtMusgraveNI,we’refocusedonGrowing GoodBusinessandaddingvaluetoallthose
withinourecosystem,includingunwavering supportforourlocalsuppliers,creatingquality employmentopportunitiesanddelivering everydayvalueforourcustomers,” Trevor Magillsaid.
“Rightacrosstheboard,wehavedeepened ourinvestmentinNorther nIrelandoverthe pastyearthroughnewstoreopeningsand refurbishments,environmentalinitiatives,local sourcingpartnerships,andimpactfulcharity contributions. To seethisallaccumulateinto afigureof£1.2bnineconomicoutputmakes meincrediblyproudofourteamandthe effortsthataremade. We areverycommitted tocontinuingthisjourneyandto remaina positiveforceinNorther nIreland’seconomy,in supportofthecommunitieswe’repartof.”
Markingthe 100thCentra storeopening areMusgrave managing director Trevor Magillwith storeownerof CentraDunman Cookstown, DanielConway
Andrew Webb,chiefeconomistatGrant Thorntonsaid:“MusgraveNIis ahugely importantbusinesstotheNorther nIreland economyandthiseconomicimpact report provesthat. To be responsibleforinjecting £1.2bnofspendingintotheeconomyinone yearisanincrediblefeatandsomethingthat doesn’thappenwithoutmomentouseffort.
“Thecompany’scommitmenttovalueand supportinglocalgoes alongwaytoset anew standard,andplacesMusgraveNIas aleader andinspirationforbusinessesbothwithinand outsideofthe retailindustry.”
Musgraveworksindirectlywithover3,000 farmersandfeaturesover6,000homegrown productsacrossits retailstoresandwholesale brands.
“TheimpactofMusgrave’stotalspendwith Norther nIrishsuppliers,equatedto afurther £256minjectioninindirectexpenditure,as calculatedbyGrantThornton,”itsaid.
“In2024,MusgraveNI reinforcedits commitmenttosupportinglocalproducersand deliveringvaluetocustomersbylaunchinga newbrand,GoodFoodLocallySourced.This initiative represented a£14minvestmentin partnershipswithlocalsuppliers,alongsidea £6minvestmentinvalue-drivenofferingsto ensuregreateraffordabilityforshoppersand accessibilitytoquality,home-grownproduce andlocallysourcedproducts.” ■
Future-proofing hospitality: telecomsas acompetitive advantage Forhotels,restaurants,andeventvenuesalreadymanagingrisingcosts,staffing challenges,andevolvingguestexpectations,telecomsshouldnotbeanother operationalhurdle.Recognisingthis,moreandmorecompaniesareturningto BarclayCommunications toensuretheirconnectivitykeepspacewithboth guestexpectationsandindustrychange
Intoday’s hospitalityindustry,theguest experienceextendsfarbeyondluxury rooms,finedining,orexceptional service.
Increasingly,itismeasured byhow seamlesslyconnectedguestsfeelfromthe momenttheymake abooking tothetimethey checkout.Whetherit’s reliable Wi-Fi,smooth mobilecheck-in,or robustvideoconferencing forevents;technologyhasbecomecentralto deliveringacompetitiveadvantage.
Apartnershipbuiltontrust
Fewstoriescapturethisbetterthanthatof ClandeboyeLodgeHotel,theaward-winning 41-bedroomhotelandeventsvenueoutside Bangor.Knownforitsdestinationbrasserie, theCoq&Bull,andforhostingmorethan400 eventsandweddingsannually, thehotelhas establisheditselfas akeyplayerinNorthern Ireland’s hospitalitysector
PimDalm,ClandeboyeLodge picturedwithBrittMegahey, BarclayCommunications,at ClandeboyeLodge
ItspartnershipwithBarclayCommunications beganover15yearsagowiththeneedfor a trustedmobileprovider.ButasClandeboye’s operationsandambitionsgrew,sotoo didits relianceontelecoms. Today,Barclay providesthehotelwithitscompletetelecoms infrastructure,fromhigh-speedbroadband, WiFiandmobileservicestoitshostedtelephony system– ensuring reliableandinnovative servicesforbothguestsandstaff.
PimDalm,ownerofClandeboyeLodge Hotel,says:“Overtheyears,wecametosee Barclayasmorethanjust asupplier.Theytook thetimetounderstandhowourbusinessworks andwhatwasmostimportanttous.That’swhy wetrustedthemwithallofourtelecomneeds, andit’smade arealdifferencetohowwerun thehotel.”
Meetingthechallengesfacinghospitality Thecurrentchallengesfacingthehospitality sectorare nosecret.Risingoverheads, recruitmentdifficulties,andshiftingcustomer behaviourallthreatenmargins. Yetinsuch anenvironment, resilientconnectivity remains non-negotiable.
“Weunderstandthechallengesthisindustry isfacing,notonlydowefocusonensuring thatpricing remainshighlycompetitive,but qualityofservice remainsparamount. A poorconnectioncanfrustrateguestsand staffalike,sohelpinghotelsgetitrighthas becomecentraltowhatwedo,”saysBarclay Communicationsfounder,BrittMegahey. “If abookingsystemdoesn’twork,ifthe Wi-Fiis slow, orifcallscan’tbetransferredefficiently, itdamagestheguest’soverallexperience Strong,dependableconnectivityhasbecome a fundamentalpartofrunning amodernhotel.”
Pimsays:“Connectivityunderpinsmorethan justguestservices.Frompoint-of-saleterminals andonlinebookingsystemstoback-office toolslikepurchasingandtimemanagement software,we relyontechnologynowmore thanevertokeepthingsrunningsmoothly With reliablesystemsinplace,staffcanfocus ondeliveringgreatservice,anddailyoperations runeffortlessly.”
Future-proofingClandeboyeLodge
AtClandeboyeLodge, asingledaycansee corporateconferences,internationalbusiness meetings,weddings,andfamilygetaways allhappeningsimultaneously.Forsuchan environment,speed,efficiency,andadaptability
aren’tjustnice-to-haves –they’reessential. WhenBarclayCommunicationsmodernised thehotel’stelecomsystems,thedifference wasimmediate. Adigital-firstinfrastructure gavetheteamfullcontrolin-house,from intelligentcall routing,queues,ringgroupsand IVRmenustoseamlesslyhandlinglargecall volumesacrossmultiplesitesanddepartments. “Duringthemigrationprocessweexperienced nodowntime,”
Pimsays.“Ourstaffadaptedquicklythanks totheexceptionaltechnicalandcustomer servicesupportcombinedwithmuchimproved systemfunctionality.”
Abespokeapproach PartofBarclay’sstrengthliesinitsflexibility Byworkingwithmultiplesuppliers,in-house engineersanddedicatedaccountmanagers, thecompanyensurescompetitivepricing withoutcompromisingonservice.Unlike manyproviders,itdoesnottiecustomersinto long-term restrictiveleases –somethingthat hasprovenparticularlyvaluableforbusinesses needingagilityin afast-movingsector
“Wetaketimetounderstandthechallenges ofeachindustry”Brittsays.“Ourgoalfor Clandeboyewastokeepsolutionsflexibleand costsmanageable,sotheirteamcanfocuson whatmattersmost –theguestexperience.”
Itisthistailored, relationship-drivenapproach that resonateswithclients.As afamily business,BarclayCommunications recognises theimportanceoftrust, responsiveness,and personalservice –qualitiesthatmirrorthe valuesofClandeboyeLodgeHotelitself
Beyondconnectivity:innovationand growth ThepartnershipwithClandeboyeLodgealso reflectsbroadertrendsshapingtheindustry Telecomsarenolongerjustaboutphonelines andinternetconnections;theyarenowabout enablinginnovation.
Artificialintelligenceisalsobeginningtoplay aroleinhospitalitycommunications.Barclay’s smartcallsolutionscananalysetoneofvoice, flagpotentialcustomerissues,and routecalls directlytotherightteammemberviasmartcall routing.Forhotelsmanaginghundredsofcalls eachday,this reducesmissedopportunities, smoothsoperations,andhelpsdeliver abetter experienceforeveryguest.
Astechnologycontinuestoevolve,Barclay keepspace,byevolvingtraditionalofferings.
ItsBarclay Bouncemobiletariffisanother testamenttothis –uniqueintheUK –itgives businessestheflexibilitytoswitchseamlessly betweennetworkswhilemaintaining99.9% coverageacrosstheUKandIreland.
Growingtogether OwnerofClandeboyeLodge,Pimsays: “Thehospitalityindustryneverstandsstill, andneithercanwe. WorkingwithBarclay Communicationshasgivenusthetoolstogrow withconfidence,knowingourcommunications areinsafehands.”
ForBarclayCommunications,successis measurednotonlyinnewcontracts,butinthe growthofitsclients. WatchingClandeboye Lodgeexpanditsoperations,hosthundredsof events,andcontinuetobuildits reputationhas been aclearmeasureofthatsharedsuccess.
“Whenourclientsgrow,wegrow,”Britt says.“That’swhatpartnershipmeans. We’re notjustinstallingsystems;we’rehelpingbuild theinfrastructurethatsupportslong-term success.ThecontinuedgrowthofClandeboye lodgeis acredittoPimandhisteam. We take greatpridetoensureweare theirchosen
telecomsproviderformanyyearstocome.”
Withhundredsofhotelsandover4,300 customersinthehospitalitysectoracross NorthernIreland,BarclayCommunicationshas become atrustedpartnerfororganisations lookingtostaycompetitivein arapidlyevolving market.Itsclientbasenowspansmorethan 14,000businessesandover150,000end-users acrosstheUKandIreland –makingitthe region’slargestindigenousproviders.
Lookingahead BarclayCommunicationsiskeentobuildon itssuccessinhospitality,continuingtolisten, learn,anddeliverwhatmattersmosttoclients. Roundtablediscussionswithbothexistingand potentialcustomersarealreadyshapingnew services,whilethecompany remainscommitted tokeepingits rootsincustomerserviceatthe centreofeverythingitdoes.
“Ourcustomersandstaffare thefoundation ofoursuccess,”saysBritt.“They’vehelpedus gettowhereweare today.Whilewe remain proudofour roots,ourfocusisfirmlyonthe future.”
Thatfutureincludesbothorganicgrowth andnewopportunities. Withdemandfor telecomsservicesacrosstheboardontherise, Barclayisalsoexploringacquisitions,expanding intotheRepublicofIreland,whilstexpanding itspresenceintheUK.
“It’saboutscalingthebusinesstodeliver moreforourcustomers,”Brittsays.“By growingstrategically,wecannegotiatebetter rateswithsuppliers,improveefficiency,and ultimatelymakelifeeasierforthecustomers whoputtheirtrustinus.” ■
BrittMegahey andPimDalm
WagamamatocloseNI restaurant with around20jobslost Oneof Wagamama’stwoNorthern Ireland restaurantsissettoclose It’s understoodthe venueat EastpointEntertainmentVillageinDundonald willceasetradingthissummer,withthelossof around20jobs.
Wagamamahasbeenoperatingtherefor nineyears,andwillbeclosingbeforetheexpiry ofits10-yearlease
Thenoodlechain’srestaurantat Victoria SquareinBelfastcitycentre isstayingopen. Bothlocationshadformerlybeenrunas franchisedoperationsbya Northern Ireland restaurantbusiness.However,it’sbelievedthe Belfastspotwillbetakenoverandoperated directlyby Wagamama,withnofranchisee involvement.
OnJuly30, WagamamaLtd submittedan applicationseekingplanningpermissionfrom BelfastCityCouncilforilluminatedshopsigns at VictoriaSquare.
TheRestaurantGroup,theparentcompany
ofWagamamasince2018,hasbeencontacted forcomment.
Thespaceat 9EastpointEntertainment Villagehasnowgoneonthemarketas afully fitted restaurantunitforletthroughagents McConnellProperty,whichdidnot respondto arequestforcomment.
Wagamamahasalready reopenedvenuesin Dublin ascompany-owned restaurantsafterthe closureofthreefranchisedoutletsinthecity lastyear
ItopenedinLiffey ValleyinJuneatanold EddieRocketsbranch,while arestaurantin Dundrumtowncentrestartedtradingon Wednesday
LastSeptember,IrishfirmPressUpHospitality hadclosedthe WagamamainDundrum, SouthKingStreetandBlanchardstownafter receiversappointedtothefirmfailedtoagree a restructuringofthefranchiseagreement.
TheRestaurantGroup’smost recentaccounts for2023 reportedoperatingprofitfrom continuingoperationsof£29.8m,withsalesat Wagamama restaurantsup11%.
Thegroupbecame aprivatebusinessand wasdelistedfromthestockmarketin asaleto Apollo,completedinDecember2023.
Whenthe resultswerepublishedlastyear, TheRestaurantGroupCEOAndyHornbysaid: “2023was agenuinelytransformationalyear We tradedstronglythroughouttheyearthanks tothephenomenaleffortsofour restaurant andpubteams.
“Finally,theacquisitionofTheRestaurant Groupby ashareholderwiththescaleand expertiseofApollomarks ahugelyexcitingnew chapterforthebusiness.
“Strategicprogresssincetheacquisition byApollohasbeenpleasing.Weare ontrack toopen10moreWagamamasitesintheUK during2024andwehaveacquired100% ownershipofour WagamamabusinessinUSA (having recentlycompletedthepurchaseofour jointventurepartner’sstake).”
Hesaidthatwhiletheconsumerbackdrop waschallenging,thecompanywasconfidentin thepotentialtocontinuegrowing Wagamama andotherpartsofthebusiness. ■
MargaretCanning
‘Exportwasalways the ambition forus… we will probably bein theIndian market by November’ HinchDistillery,located afewmilesoutsideBelfast,isnowproducingsome1.2 millionlitresofspiritayear,andistakingonnewglobalexportmarkets,aswellas releasingitsfirstbatchofitsownsinglemalts. JohnMulgrew pays avisitand speakstodistillerymanagerandheaddistilleraboutenteringtheIndianmarket, pricingcompetitively,andwhyitaimstohaveallitsbarleygrowninCoDownin thenexttwoyears
Whiskeyandtariffsarewords whichhaven’tbeenthis intertwinedinthezeitgeistin years.
ButdespiteongoingfluxwiththeUSand bothUKandEUtrade –atthetimeofwriting theUKgetting a10%hitratherthan15%for thelatter –productionandsalesatdistilleries suchasHincharecontinuingtopower forward.
“Whenever IjoinedHinchwewere producingjustunder400,000litresofpure alcohol,” WilliamStafford,distillerymanager andHinch’sheaddistiller,tells UlsterBusiness [Since]wehaveincreasedthecapacityto 1.2millionlitres…that’s4.5millionbottles ofsinglemalt ayear,anddependingonyour blendratio,itcouldbe16millionbottlesof blendedwhiskey.”
Hinchstartedout,likemanyothermalt distillerieshere,buyinginalreadyaged third-partywhiskey,soitcouldbeginselling product.Whiskeycanonlybegiventhe monikeroncethespirithasbeenagedfora minimumofthreeyears.
Andwhilethat’smeanttheabilityto boast arangeofimpressiveagestatements, includingHinchhasnow released arangeof
itsownagedmalts.
“It’swhatwewanttobegoodat,” William says.“Therewasonce alotofitinUlster,back intheday,andit’ssomethingwewantto continuewith.”
Hinchnowhasitsinauguralin-housesingle malts,whichinclude apeatedoffering.These
sellforjustover£30 –competingwellwiththe restofthemarket.
“Thepricepointisverygoodintermsof inaugural releases,” Williamsays.“Wewantto bethatconsumer-ledbrand,andidentifyHinch withbeingthataccessiblewhiskey.”
HinchisthebrainchildofBelfast
WilliamStafford
businessmanTerryCross,whosetituparound fiveyearsago,aftersellingoffhisinternational packagingfirmforthesumof£80m.
Andhebuiltthedistilleryjustmetresaway fromhisownhome.
Hinchalsoworkingwithmorethan60 farmerstotryandgrowallofitsbarleyinthe widerCoDownarea.
“By2027/28,wewanttohaveallour barleygrowninCoDown,”hesays.“It’s challenging.”
Thatwouldmeanproduction,bottling, warehousingandbarleybeinggrowninits homecounty.
“Idon’tthinkthere’sanotherdistilleryinthe countrydoingit.Thatwasnevertheobjective, butIcomefromanagriculturalbackground, so Iwanttosupportlocalfarmers.Whiskey, traditionally,wasalways regional.”
Lookingahead, Williamsaystherange willexpand,andthosecoremaltranges–whicharecurrently releasedwithoutanage statement –couldhavespiritasoldaseight yearsinthebottle,butsellforthesameprice.
“There’sacombinationofdifferentplans,” Williamsays.“Wehave acorerange,which we’vejustsortof realigned. We’vealwayshad oursmallbatch,whichis ablendedwhiskey finishedinbourbon,andourfive-year-old doublewood –whichisourSwissArmyknife.
“Then,we’vebroughtthetwosinglemalts intothataswell.Theywilltransitionintoan eight-year-oldsinglemaltatthesameprice point.
“Inthewaythat’sbeenpricedisthat wheneverit’seight,itwillstillbethesame bottleprice.
Williamsaystheoverallmarketforwhiskey hasbeen a“mixedbag”.
“It’samixedbag…there havebeensome reallychallengingmarketsthisyear.
“Ican’tspeakforeveryone,because we’vehadsome really,reallygoodwins, predominantlyinEurope.
“We’veneverhadamassive relianceonthe US –thewholetariffconversationhasn’treally impactedus,andwedon’thavealloureggs inonebasket,asmuchasit’sareally,really
crucialmarketforIrishwhiskeyandScotch. We’rereallyexploringthatnowwithourwith ourownliquid.
“Wedon’twanttoseeanytariffsatall,but a10%tariffismanageable –there’sdefinitely waysofnavigatingthose.
“Becausethere’snotanawfulamountof HinchinAmerica,it’snotgoingtohavea massiveimpact.
“But,we’llbeworkinginnowwith afresh approachandfreshpricepoints.”
AndontheIndianmarket,inwhichwhiskey isgrowingitsmarketshareconsiderably, Williamsayswhile anewUKtradedealwill
makethingsmoreaffordable,it remains avery “priceconsciousmarket”.
“It’samarketwehaven’ttradedinbefore, andwillprobablybeinIndiainNovembertime thisyear.It’ssomethingweareenthusiastic about.”
Andit’sexportswhichHinchcontinuesto focuson.TheNorther nIrelandmarketisonly about5-7%oftotalsales,whiletheUKand Irelandas awhole representsabout12%.
“Whenthedistillerywasbuilt,atthescale,it wasalwaysgoingtobetoolargeforNorthern Ireland,andIreland,soexportwasalwaysthe ambition,” Williamsays. ■
Whywe Productivityisnotanissueofworkereffort,buta matterofthequalityandtypeofcompaniesoperating inoureconomy,writes PaulMacFlynn,co-directorof theNevinEconomicResearchInstitute(Neri)
WhentheNorther nIreland Executivewas restoredlast year,the-thennewEconomy MinisterConorMurphyannounceda neweconomicpolicyforNorther nIreland basedonfourpillars.Productivitywasone ofthesepillars,butithasprobablyhad theleastpublicitysincetheannouncement ofthisnewpolicy.
Whilethismaybedisappointingfor economists,itisn’treallythatsurprisingto anyoneelse.Productivityisn’taconceptthat exactlygets aperson’spulseracingand,in manycases,ithas averynegativeconnotation. Thisarisesbecause,whenwehavetalked aboutproductivityinthepast,wehavebeen focusedonthewrongobjective.Thisisa problem,becausewearegoingtoneedtotalk aboutproductivityquite alotoverthenext numberofyears.
Productivityplays amajor rolein determiningwagesand,ultimately,living standards.However,raisingproductivityisn’t asimpletask.Itisn’tpossibletosimplypull aproductivityleverorsuddenlydivertpublic resourcestowardsit.Productivityis acomplex
conceptwhichposes achallengeformany areasofeconomicpolicy.
Lastmonth,thelatestfiguresforproductivity intheNIeconomywerereleased.Thestory wasnotthatgreat.Productivity,measuredas outputperhour,fortheeconomyas awhole, fell0.5%between2022and2023.This followsanevenlargerfallinthepreviousyear. ComparedtotheUKas awhole,NI’soutput perhour remainedexactlythesame,87.6% oftheUKlevel.Onthemorepositiveside,the growthinproductivityinNIoverthepastfive yearshasbeen relativelygoodin aUKcontext, secondonlytothenorth-westofEngland.
Butwhatdothesefiguresactuallytellus? Well,firstly,themeasurementweusefor productivityis acombinationoftwoother economicindicators:totaloutputandhours worked. We dividetheformerbythelatterto getourproductivitymeasure.
It’simportanttounderstandthisbecause productivitygrowthcanbedrivenbyeitherof theseindicators.Thetotaloutputcanincrease, orthetotalnumberofhoursworkedcan decrease.Bothelementscangointhesame direction,butsolongastotaloutputgrowth outweighsthegrowthinhoursworked,or decreasesinhoursworkedoutweighdecreases inoutput,growthoccurs.
Thiscanseemcounter-intuitiveatfirst.The factthat adecreaseinthetotalnumberof hoursworkedinaneconomycouldbeseen assomethingpositive.Orthefactthat afall intotaloutputcanbe agoodthing,solong asthetotalnumberofhoursusedtoproduce itfellbymore.Thisseemsodd,butthatalso explainswhymanyofourassumptionsand attitudestowardsproductivityneedtochange too.
Oftenwhenweseeproductivitydiscussedin ourmedia,itzerosinononeverysmallaspect ofproductivity:theideaofworkereffort.This isparticularlythecasewheninternational comparisonsaremade. Youwill regularly seeheadlinesproclaimingtheworkersof anothercountrybeing“X%moreproductive thanworkershere”.However,thisis awildly inaccurateunderstandingofproductivity statisticsanddoes realdamagetothedebate thatweneedtohave.
Oneofthebestwaystoillustratethepointis tolooksouthoftheborder.Oneofthethings
weallknowisthatforeign-owned(particularly US-owned)firmsplay amajor roleinthe Republic’seconomy.Theyalsoplay amajor roleindeterminingitsproductivitylevel,which itselfismultiplesofNI’sproductivitylevel.
Whatislessoftendiscussedisthedifference inproductivitybetweentheforeign-owned sectionoftheeconomyandthedomesticownedeconomy.Thisisbecausethereare severedata restrictionsandlimitations. However,basedonthedatawedohave, researchhasshownthatinmanysectorsofthe Republic’seconomy,productivitylevelsinthe domestic-ownedpartaresignificantlybelow thatoftheforeign-ownedportionofthe economy,andevenbelowthatofothersimilar EUcountries.GiventhattheRepublicmay haveto relymuchmoreondomestic-owned industryinthefuture,theseareworrying results.
However,itisalsotheclearest demonstrationthatproductivityisnotanissue ofworkereffort,but amatterofthequality offirms.It’snotasifthereare twodistinct typesofworkersintheRepublic’seconomy. TheRepublicofIrelandhasonlyonelabour force,withthesameaccesstoeducationand training.Theonlydifferencebetweenthe foreignanddomesticsectorsintheRepublicis thetypeoffirminquestion.
Thatiswhereourfocusshouldbewhenwe talkaboutproductivity.Whattypeoffirmsare operatinginoureconomy?
Thisthenisthe realworkofraising productivitylevels. We needtobeclearabout thetypeoffirmsthatwewantinoureconomy andweneedtobemorediscerningaboutthe typeoffirmswesupport.
Productivefirmsarethosethat reinvest profitsratherthanpayingdividendsor engaginginsharebuy-backs.Productivefirms involvetheirworkforceandseethemasan asset,notmerely acosttobeminimised. Productivefirmslookforlong-termvalue,not forshort-termhits.
We desperatelyneedtostart aconversation aboutproductivity.Butmoreimportantlythan that,weneedtohave aproperandgrown-up conversationaboutproductivity.
Productivityisn’taboutdemonisingthe labourforce,itisaboutraisingourambition andourexpectationsforindustry. ■
Openfolde celebrates 200Years ofinnovationandlegacy inBelfast Openfolde ismarking twocenturiesoffamily businesswithglobal impact
Openfolde,theBelfastheadquartered,sixth-generation familybusinessandparent companyofgrassandforageseed specialist,Germinal, recentlycelebrated its200thanniversarywith aspecial commemorativeeventattheTitanicHotel inBelfast,attendedbyemployeesfrom acrossitsglobaloperations.
FoundedbySamuelMcCauslandin1825as ageneralmerchantbusinesstradingthrough BelfastPort,Openfoldehasgrownintoa pioneeringinternationalgroup.Through itsGerminalandEcommercebrands,it developsandsuppliesinnovativeforageseed technologiesandenvironmentalsolutionsfor theagriculture,amenityanddomesticmarkets acrossNorthernIreland,Ireland, GreatBritain andbeyond.
Thegroup rebrandedasOpenfoldein2023 (formerlyknownasGerminalHoldings), unifyingitsgrowingbusinessportfoliounder afuture-facingidentitywhilehonouring nearlytwocenturiesof aBelfast-basedfamily enterprisethatcontinuestobeledbythedirect descendantsofitsoriginalfounder Germinal,thelargestcompanyinthe OpenfoldeGroup,hasplayed acentral roleinthegroup’sevolutionandsuccess. Itiscommittedtoa science-ledapproach todevelopingnewvarietiesofgrassand forageseedthatsupportfarmersinmeeting theevolvingchallengesofenhancingthe environmentalsustainabilityofmodern farming whileremainingproductiveandprofitable ThisinnovationisdrivenbyGerminalHorizon, thegroup’s dedicatedR&Ddivisionbasedat the InstituteofBiological,EnvironmentalandRural Sciences(IBERS)atAberystwythUniversity,with fieldtrials researchatits researchcentresin
W iltshireandNewZealand.
WilliamGilbert,managingdirectorof OpenfoldeandchairmanofGerminal,and adirectdescendantoffounderSamuel McCausland,said:“Marking200yearsis a rareachievement–andonethatspeakstothe legacy,resilienceandvaluesattheheartofour business.
“Whileweareimmenselyproudofour heritageinBelfastandtheworkofour predecessorsinbuildingandsustainingthe business,weareequallyexcitedaboutthe futureweare buildingtodayacrossour portfolio.Thiscelebrationisabout recognising thepeoplewhohavedrivenoursuccess–our entireteamandallthestakeholderswho havesupportedusovertheyears.Innovation, collaboration,andlong-termthinkingarewhat have sustainedusfortwocenturiesandwill continuetodefineOpenfoldeaswegrow.”
Openfolde recentlymoveditsglobalhead officebacktoBelfast, reinforcingits rootsin Northern Irelandwhileinvestingin afuturefocusedplatform. Today,thegroupincludes GerminalUK &Ireland,itsR&Ddivision, GerminalHorizon,andecommercebrandsThe GrassPeople,andLawnsmith.com.Openfolde
alsoholds a50%stakeinNewZealand-based grainandseedbusiness,Cates.
JohnGilbert,chairmanoftheOpenfolde Groupandthefifthgenerationofthe McCauslandfamilytoleadthebusiness,said: “From aBelfastmerchantbusinessto aglobal innovator,wehave remainedfocusedon practical,science-ledprogress.
“AttheheartofOpenfoldeandGerminal is abeliefinsupportingfarmersandland managerstothrive –notjustfortoday,but forgenerationstocomebecausefarmingand foodaresocriticaltoeverythingwedo.This anniversaryisanopportunitytocelebratethose enduringvaluesandthepeoplewhohave madethemhappenandcarriedthemforward.”
InFebruary2025,Germinalmarkedits 200-anniversaryyearwiththelaunchof itsClimateSmartproductrange –amajor developmentinbringingforwardforage seedproductsthatsupportclimate-resilient agriculture.Thefivenewseedproducts (Clean,Thrive,Adapt,Capture,Restore)offer practical,science-basedsolutionsto reduce emissions,improvebiodiversity,andsupport farmprofitability –reinforcingOpenfolde’s commitmenttosustainableinnovation. ■
WilliamGilbert,managingdirectorofOpenfolde,chairmanofGerminal,andhisfatherJohnGilbert,chairmanof Openfolde
RoisinMcCann,customerservicemanagere-commerce,LisaSloan,groupfinancelead
TesniGordon,plantbreedingtechnician,GerminalHorizonAberystwyth,Matthew Theobald,legumeplantbreedingtechnician,GerminalHorizonAberystwyth,Grace Welling,strategicdevelopmentmanager,GerminalHorizon
JohnFairey,seedproductionmanager,DavidLittle,agriculturalproductmanager GerminalIreland,BenWixey,agriculturaldirector,GerminalUK &Ireland
WilliamGilbert,managing director, Openfolde, chairman,Germinal, StuartBeggs,general manager,CatesNew Zealand,NickWilliams, salesmanager,CatesNew Zealand,JohnGilbert, Openfoldechairman
FfionOwen,plantbreedingtechnician,GerminalHorizonAberystwyth,FionaFoley, plantbreedingtrialsmanager,GerminalHorizonBroadfieldNewZealand,Christina Holland,foragelegumebreeder,GerminalHorizonAberystwyth
DebbiePulford,officesalesadministrator,SarahBaggley,seniorsalesadministrator
WilliamFleming,areasalesmanager,GerminalGB,HarleyBrown-Keech,areasales manager,GerminalGB,JaneMarsh,officesalesadministrator, GerminalGB,Paul Morgan,areasalesmanager,GerminalGB
TopNIfoodproducerstodescend onBelfastMaritime Festival SomeofNorthernIreland’stopfood producerswillbeonshowlaterthis monthaspartof anewmarketas partofthisyear’sBelfastMaritimeFestival.
Visitorstothisyear’s BelfastMaritimeFestival onSeptember 6and 7willbetreatedto anew quay-side,championingthebestofNorthern Ireland’sfoodscene.
SlipwaysStreetFoodandSoundswill bringentertainment,musicandstreetfood, alongsideanArtisanProducersMarket–shiningaspotlightonproducersfromacross theregion
Themarketwillalsohost aseriesof interactiveexperiences,includingLoughNeagh Fishman’sCo-operativeandBen VistaCSA, a CommunitySupportedAgriculturepilot.
It’s beingsupportedbyfundingsecured by MaritimeBelfast TrustfromtheDepartment ofAgriculture,EnvironmentandRuralAffairs (DAERA)throughtheNIRegionalFood Programme.
Someofthosegoodsanddishesinclude breadandpastries,seafood,handcraftedjams, spiritsandsweettreats
TheArtisanProducersMarketwillbe complementedbytheStreetFoodMarket, withvendorsservingupfreshlyprepareddishes madewithNIsourcedfood.
“TheBelfastMaritimeFestivalcontinues togrowasoneofthecity’ssignatureevents, attractingtensofthousandsofvisitors,”Maeve Moreland,destinationexperiencemanagerat MaritimeBelfast Trust,said.
“Thisyear,weare buildingonthesuccess byofferingevenmoreforfestivalgoers,with theArtisanProducersMarketasanexciting newaddition.ThankstosupportfromDAERA, wecanshowcasethetalent,qualityand sustainabilityofourlocalfoodproducers whilecreating avibrantexperiencealongour waterfront.The2025festivalpromisestobe itsmostexcitingyetwithlocalfoodanddrink firmlyonthemenu.”
AndLordMayorofBelfast, TracyKelly,said “BelfastCityCouncilisdelightedtohave supportfromDAERAfortheBelfastMaritime Festival’sArtisanProducersMarket.
“ChampioningBelfast’sauthenticfoodand drinkofferingis akeypriorityinour10-year
MaeveMoreland, MaritimeBelfast Trust,Margaret McKeown, GlensofAntrim Potatoes,Lord Mayor TracyKelly, LauraKillough, Copeland Distillery,Una Hollywood Department forAgriculture, Environmentand RuralAffairs
tourismplanandlocalproduceisaunique sellingpointforourcity
“Itstrengthensourlocaleconomyand showcasestheincrediblequalityofour homegrowningredientsthatvisitorswillgetto sampleoverthisyear’sfestival.”
RobertHullfromDAERA’s NI regionalfood programmesaid:“DAERAisdelightedtobe activelyinvolvedinsupportingourAgri-Food industrybypromotinghighqualityandawardwinninglocalproduceatBelfastMaritime Festival.ThissupportfromtheNIRegional FoodProgramme,willenablepeoplevisiting thefestivalfromnearandfar,tosamplefreshly prepared,highqualitystreetfood.Theartisan producers’marketwillalsoprovidetheperfect opportunityforfestivalgoerstotaste,shopand supportlocal”.
InadditiontoSlipwaysStreetFoodand Sounds,visitorscanenjoy awiderangeof activitiesacrosstheMaritimeMileincluding tallships,kid’szones,livestreettheatre, musicperformances,familyzones,hands-on maritime-themedactivitiesand aticketed performancebytheHothouseFlowers. ■
Beyondprotection: howAbbeyAutoline helpsNIbusinesses thrive Intoday’sunpredictablebusiness climate,riskcomesinmanyforms–fromcyberthreatsandsupplychain disruptiontopropertydamageand liabilityclaims.
ForNorther nIreland’sentrepreneurs,SMEs, andcorporates,havingtherightinsurancein placeisnotjust abox-tickingexercise –it’sthe foundationfor resilienceandgrowth.
AbbeyAutolinehasbeenattheheartof Norther nIreland’s businesscommunityfor over50years,deliveringtailoredcommercial insurancesolutionsacrosssectorsincluding construction, retail,agriculture,manufacturing, hospitality,andprofessionalservices. With anextensivechoiceofagriculturalinsurance productsinNI,anexclusivetradesmanpolicy,
andsector-specificcover,thebrokerageoffers protectiondesignedaroundeachclient’s uniqueneeds.
Coreproductsincludeemployers’liability, public/productsliability,fleet,professional indemnity,andcommercialpropertyInsurance withbusinessinterruption.Nicheofferings–suchascyberinsurance,creditinsurance,and businessprivatemedicalInsurance –address emergingrisksandhelpbusinessessafeguard theirpeopleaswellastheirassets.
AbbeyAutoline’sin-houseclaimsteam, extensiveinsurernetwork,andbranch footprintensurealocal,expertservicebacked byglobal reach.Recentacquisitions –Martin CareyInsurance,DownInsurances,and WallaceInsurance –havefurtherstrengthened
thecompany’sexpertiseandabilitytoserve clientsacrossNorther nIreland.
Bycombininginnovation,digitaltools, andpersonalservice,AbbeyAutolinemakes insurancestraightforward,strategic,and future-ready –helpingbusinessesnotjust survive,butthrive.
DiscoverhowAbbeyAutolinecanprotect yourbusiness’sfutureatabbeyautoline.co.uk/ business-insuranceorcall08000665544
Review: What should you eatwhenyou visitBelfast foodmarketHalt? TheformerEuropa BusCentreinBelfast citycentrehasbeen transformedinto anew foodanddrinkmarket.
JohnMulgrew paysita visittocheckoutwhat’s wortheating
IfIwereabettingman,I’dsaysomeone onthedevelopmentendofHaltonce paid avisittoMilanCentralestationin theheartofthenorther nItaliancity.
To onesidesits anarrow,yetabundant foodanddrinksmarket,whichleaksdown thesideofthebuilding –alongcorridorwith everythingfromseafood,tofreshpasta,sushi, decentItaliancraftbrews,andallmanyof bovinecutsinbetween.
There, Ihadricharancini,superb panzerottifor afiver,and avisually-impressive yetultimatelyunderwhelmingwholechunk ofbone-inribeye,searedrare inthestyleof bisteccaallaFiorentina.
Milanthisisnot.ButHaltisinitsinfancy. Therewasanopportunityspottedaheadof theclosureoftheformerEuropaBusCentreto makewayforthenewnearbyGrandCentral Station –usingup anotparticularlyinteresting orlargelyusablespace.
WhiletheformerGreatNorther nMall onceledyoutobusandtrainconnections acrosstheisland,now,itgentlynudgesyou towards afreshhospitalityoffering.
Byday,itfeelslikeitcatersforawide swathe.ThereremaintheGenerationZsin sizeablenumbers,alongwith aheftyoffice crowd,andtheoddspatteringoffamilies.
Ishouldsay,itstillfeelslike abusstation, butonethat’sbeingdippedin acolourpalette ofcyberpunkfuturism.Andthat repurposing isconsiderablymoreinitsfavourthesedays thanknockingdownandbuildingback.Inside, alongwiththemajorityoftheseating,is afull bar,andcoffeeoffering.
Outside,wheremanyofusoncestood awaitingthe212toDerry,the300toBelfast InternationalAirport,ortheX1for atripto Dublin,nowsits asmallareaoffakegrass, framedwithseveralfoodstalls.
We’llstartoffstrong. Asomewhat monstrouscrispychickensandwich(orburger ifyoupreferourlocalnomenclature)from FowlPlayisallthingstactileandtextured,with plentyofcraggilycrunchalongtheway,joining alittleacidfrompicklesand asimpleandclean coleslaw.Thecheese,unfortunately,never makesittomeltingpoint.At£12,andwith
anaccompanyingsuitablypunchyandacidic buffaloranchdip,itfeelslikesolidvalue.
BeefbaosfromKatsuKitchen –whichhas itsoriginalbasejustaroundthecornerinthe mallitself –are messy,butentirelyfinishable. Everythingjustneeds alittlemoresaltand seasoning,andperhaps alittlelessmoisture fromtheaccompanyingcoolingandfresh carrottoensureyoumakeitbacktowork withoutanembarrassingstainonyourshirt. Anorderbringsforthtwofor atenner.
Patty’soffersup aselectionofburgers.The ‘OG’isthesimplestexpression,with asingle patty,cheese,pickles,lettuceandonions. Thecrustandsearareaboutasgoodasit getson ahotplancha –darkbrown,deckled, andcaramelised.Theburgeritselfsitsinthat middleground,however,ofnotbeingthin enoughtobeconsidered asmashiteration –in whichyou’dnormallyfindtwopatties –or
HaltattheformerEuropaBusCentre
thickenoughtoentertheworldof amore traditionalhigh-endburger,akintoBunsen.It’s solid,butcoulddowith alittlemoreflavour, orsauce,toboostthings,while£11fora fairlymodestsinglepattyisonthehigherend (addinganotherpattybringsthingsupto£14).
Forthosewho’vegarnered ataste forDetroit-stylepizza,courtesyofPete Thompson’sFlout!ineastBelfast,Block 313isattemptingsomethingsimilar.These
insteadcomein10-inchlongstrips,served inlittleindividualtrays.The‘313BlockParty’ combinessalamiwithgroundbeef,and abeef fatcrumb.Ithas alittleofthatcheese-focused crustaroundtheedges,butit’ssubtle,while thedoughitselffeelsakinto afocaccia,and lacks arealsizeablepunch.It’s£9.50butthat endsupbeingtoppedbyanotherquidwhen I’maskedif Iwantparmesanontop.
Fortheotherfoodspots,Franky’s
Forthose who’ve garnered atastefor Detroit-stylepizza, courtesy of Pete Thompson’s Flout! ineast Belfast,Block 313 isattempting something similar.
Lasagneria remains astalwarthere,too.Its heartydeep-friedlasagnebiteshavealways been astrongchoicealongside adecentpintin theJohnHewitt.Itjoinsfellowfoodofferings fromBodegaBagels,RootandBranch,and chocolatespotDaisiesBelfast.
I’mimagingthisbecomessomethingof ameccafor ayoungercrowdaswehead towardssunset. Withdrinkspricesbecoming somewhatunbelievableinpartsofBelfastand beyond,fornow,thecostof apintheremore ismorethan reasonable.
Andifyouarepayingit avisit,makesure topayattentiontothefoodbusinessesonthe wayin,too.There,you’llfindsomeofmost interestingthingstoeatinthecity,including FilipinospotKubo,andnewly-openedHealthy Wealthy –specialisinginfreshly-madeIndian curriesandstreetfood,forverylittlecash. ■
Haltattheformer EuropaBusCentre
FowlPlay’schicken sandwichandthe ‘OG’burgeratPatty’s
Chancellorofthe Exchequer, RachelReeves, (centre)picturedleaving StormontCastleinBelfast aftera meetingwith FinanceMinisterJohn O’Dowdanddeputy FirstMinisterEmma Little-Pengelly
FinanceMinister calls forrealism inNIbudget allocationsafter meetingChancellor ChancellorRachelReeves paidherfirstofficialvisit toNorthernIrelandanddefendedthegovernment’s economicpolicies,includingherdecisiontolevy inheritancetaxonfarms,writes MargaretCanning
BudgetarydecisionstakeninLondon donotnecessarily reflectthe realitiesoflifeinNorthern Ireland, Stormont’sfinanceministerhaswarned.
TheChancellorwasurgedtoencourage economicgrowthhereandtransformthe region’spublicserviceswhenshemetStormont ministers.
DeputyFirstMinisterEmmaLittle-Pengelly andFinanceMinisterJohnO’Dowdsaid theExecutivewillcontinuetoengagewith RachelReevesaheadofupcomingbudgetary decisions.
MsLittle-Pengellysaidthe“in-depth engagement”wasanopportunityto“urge theChancellor”totakedecisionstoencourage economicgrowthinthe region.
“It’sgoodtohavetheChancellorhereto taketheopportunityinadvanceofthebudget eventintheautumn,toensurethatNorthern Ireland’sparticularissuesandcharacteristicsare heard bytheChancellor –andhopefullytaken intoaccount,”shesaid.
“WebelievethatNorther nIrelandhashuge economicpotential,butwedoneedthat investmentandgrowth.
“Butwealsowantedtoraisewiththe Chancellorthatsomeofherdecisionscould havea disproportionateimpactonour
businesses,onourfarmers,onoureconomyof Norther nIreland.”
Shesaidsheraised awiderangeofissues affectingNorther nIreland,includingthe nationalinsuranceemployers’contribution affectingsmall-to-mediumsizedbusinesses andtheimpactofinheritancetaxchangeson familyfarms.
“Itwasanopportunitytohighlightthose challenges,butalsototalkabouttheimmense opportunityNorther nIrelandhasifweare giventherighttoolstoenableustounlock that.”
MrO’Dowdsaidtherewas“nosecret”that therewas a“significantholeintheBritish Government’sbudget”.
“However,that’sdowntopoliticaldecisions thathavetobemadein Westminsterand elsewhere.Ourjobistolookafterourpeople hereanddefendourpublicservices,our industries,farmingandothers,”hesaid.
“Andwemade averystrongcasetoher thatdecisionsmadeinLondonwhichmay reflect realitiesinthat region,don’tnecessarily reflectthe realitieshere.”
MrO’DowdsaidhetoldtheChancellorthat Norther nIreland’spublicfinances“remain constrained”.
“Thereneedstobe,as aresultofthe
budgetintheautumn,investmentinour publicservicestoallowustodeliverthe transformationthatis required,toallowus todeliverinvestmentintheworkforcewho deliverourpublicservicesandtomakethem sustainablemovingforward.”
Earlier,MsReeves robustlydefendedthe government’seconomicpolicies,includingher decisiontolevyinheritancetaxonfarms.
ShetoldtheBelfast Telegraphthatdecisions includingmakinginheritancetaxpayableby farmershadbeen“rightandfair”andensured thetaxburdenfor“ordinaryworkingpeople” didnotgoup.
TheChancellorvisitedUlsterUniversity facilityStudioUlsterinBelfast,beforeanother stoplateratdefencemanufacturerThalesin theeastofthecity.
Thegovernmentsaidhervisitwasto confirminvestmentswhichwould“fixthe foundationsforlong-termprosperity”.
Oneinvestmentwasthe“largest real-terms settlementfortheNorther nIrelandExecutive sincetheBelfastAgreement,averaging £19.3bnperyearuntil2029”.
Othersincluded£310minnewGovernment fundingforNorther nIreland’sCityandGrowth Deals,confirmedinJune’sSpendingReview andnowallocatedtosupporthigh-growth sectors.
HervisittoThalesmarked£100mnew privatesectorinvestmentfromthecompany, supportingexpansionandupto200newjobs inthedefencesector.
Shealsoconfirmed£137minnewfunding totackleparamilitarismandorganisedcrime.
HerdecisionintheAutumnBudgetlastyear to removeanexemptionfrominheritancetax foragriculturalpropertyfromAprilnextyear wasmetwithvocaloppositionbyfarmersin Norther nIreland.
Askedifshehadanysympathyforfarming
familiesnowfacinginheritancetaxandifshe wouldgobackonthechanges,shesaid:“Last yearattheBudget Ihadtoraisesignificant sumsofmoneytoputourpublicfinancesback on afirmfootingbutalsotoputthat record investmentintoourNHSandalsotoprovide that recordsettlementfortheNIExecutive,the biggest real-termssettlementsincetheGood FridayAgreement,andthatmoneyisonly availablebecauseofthedecisionsthatwetook intheBudgetlastyear.
“Buttheyweretherightandthefair decisions. We didn’tincreasethetaxesthat ordinaryworkingpeoplepaid.Theirnational insurance,incometax, Vat,fueldutydid notgoupinthewaythattheprevious Tory governmenthadintheirplans,soprotecting theincomesofordinaryworkingpeopleand sincewecameintooffice, realwageshave beenrisingat afasterratethaninflation.”
“Specificallyonagriculturalproperty relief,
ifyou’vegotagriculturalpropertyworthless than£3mandyouownitjointlywith apartner, you’llpaynoinheritancetaxwhenyoupaythat farmon.
“But Idobelievethatifyoudohave agriculturalpropertyworthmorethan£3myou shouldmake acontributionbuttheinheritance taxonthatishalftheratethatanybodyelse pays,just20%,andit’spayableover10years interest-free,so Idothinkthatfitsthe required balance,weneededtoraisemoneytoinvestin publicservices.
“Ifpeopledisagreewiththosetaxchanges, theyeitherneedtoadmitthatthey’renot willingtoputthemoneyintoourpublic servicesandthatsettlementfortheNI Executiveorthattheywouldincreasetaxes elsewhere,forexampleonordinaryworking people.
“Thoseweren’tmychoices, Imademy choicesandI’mveryhappytodefendthem.”
Belfastfirm Neurovalenssecures £6minvestmenttofund expansion BelfastfirmNeurovalenshasraised £6minaninvestmentroundto helpfunditsexpansioninglobal healthcaremarkets.
Theneurotechfirmhasusedneuroscience todevelopmedicaldevicesintheformof headsetstoaddresshealthproblemssuchas insomnia,anxietyandpost-traumaticstress disorder(PTSD)
DevicesModiusSleepfortreatinginsomnia andModiusCalmformanaginganxietyare nowavailabletobuyintheUS,wheretheyare beingprescribedbyhealthcareprofessionals.
Whenworn,thedevicestransmitelectrical wavestothebraintotreatbrain-activated disorders.
Thecompanypreviouslyobtainedmedical deviceclearancefromtheUSFood &Drug Administration(FDA)forthedevices.
The£6mfunding roundwasledby a £1.5minvestmentbytheInvestmentFundfor Northern Ireland(IFNI),managedbyClarendon FundManagers.
Therewasalso£780,000investmentfrom Whiterock’sGrowthCapitalFundandfurther
supportfromexistinginvestorsIQCapital, InnovationUlsterLtd,andtheAngelCo-Fund, aswellasprivateinvestors.
Italsoincludes a£1mloanfromtheIFNIdebt fund,managedbyWhiterock.
The£6missettosupportthecompany’s commercialexpansionintheUSandother overseasmarkets,andacceleratesalesofits FDA-cleareddevices.
DrJasonMcKeown,chiefexecutiveof Neurovalens,said:“We’redelightedtohavethe supportoftheInvestmentFundforNorthern Irelandandourothernewandexisting investorsatthiskeystageinourjourney
“Thisfundingwillenableustosignificantly scalesalesofourcurrentmedicaldevices,and alsotoextendourproductportfoliothrough additionalFDAapprovals.
“Ourtechnologyoffersanentirelynew approachtotreatingseriousglobalhealth challengesthroughsafe,non-invasive neurostimulation.”
BrianCummings,investmentdirectorat ClarendonFundManagers,said:“Clarendonis proudtocontinueoursupportforNeurovalens throughtheIFNIfund.
“Thecompanyhasachievedsomevery significantmilestonesoverthepastfewyears includingmedicaldeviceclearancefromthe FDAforthetreatmentofsomeserioushealth conditions.
“WelookforwardtoworkingwithJasonand histeamasthebusinessexpandsitscommercial operationsintheUSandbeyond.”
TheIFNIwaslaunchedbyTheBritish BusinessBanktosupportinnovationandcreate opportunitiesfornewandscalingbusinesses.
The£70mfundoffersfinancialoptions includingdebtfinanceandequityinvestments. ClarendonFundManagersmanagesthe£33m equityfundandcanprovideequitystakesofup to£5m.
Sofar,Neurovalenshasraisedapproximately £20minequityanddebtfundingfrom UKinvestorsincludingWhartonAsset Management,IQCapital, Techstart Ventures, AngelCoFund,BeltraePartners,Co-Fund NImanagedbyClarendonFundManagers, InnovationUlsterLimitedandBritishBusiness Bank. ■
DrJasonMcKeown, ofNeurovalensand BrianCummings, ClarendonFund Managers
IT &C YBER-S EC UR IT Y
TheHarlanderprojectinBelfasthastakentheleadfor autonomousvehicledevelopment.Buttheregion’s lackof alegislativeframeworkandorganisational infrastructuretooverseeautonomoustransportis stoppingmomentum,writes PavelBarter
Norther nIreland requiresnew legislativeframeworktopavethe wayforautonomoustransport, accordingtothecreatorsoftheHarlander self-driveshuttlebusinBelfast’sTitanic Quarter.IntheUK,theAutomated VehiclesAct(AVA)2024created rulesaroundliabilityandsafetyfor autonomousvehicles.However,thislaw doesnotpermitsuchvehiclestooperate onthestreetsofNorther nIrelandwithout asafetydriver.
RossJames,directorofSolutionsatOxa, whichcreatedthesoftwareforHarlander, described AVAas“agreatexampleofa proactiveapproach;acceleratingthepositive impactAIcandeliverwhilealsoaddressing potentialrisk.”
“ButthisonlyappliesinGreatBritain.It isnowfortheNorther nIrelandAssemblyto
decidewhethertoenactitsownlegislation… toenablethefuturedeploymentoftruly driverlessvehicles.”
From2026,self-drivingtaxisandbuses willbepermittedonthe roadsinGB.NI,on theotherhand,isbeingleftbehind.“Inthe norththereisalegislativegap,”MikeDawson, peopleanddigitaltransformationdirectorat BelfastHarbourtold UlsterBusiness Harlander,whichoperatesonHarbourlands, servesas ablueprintforwhatispossible. Theeight-seatervehicleruns afreeservice every20minutesbetween TitanicQuarter railwaystationandCatalyst; asafetyoperator isonboard,butthevehicleisoperating autonomously.BelfastHarbourhasitsown bylaws,soitisabletorunHarlanderonits roadsforpublicuse.
“Thereare 30kmofprivate roadsinthe estatethatwecangoinandutilisethese
services,”MikeDawsonsays.“Youcouldn’t dothatoutsideoftheharbourtoday.Here’s aplacethatwecandovalidationand verificationin aproventrustedenvironment that represents acitywithinthecity.Wehave colleges,peoplewholivethere,visitors,cruise ships,anairport.Theharbourisanenabler for arangeoforganisationsand arangeof technologyproviders. We wantpeopleto comeandseetheartofwhat’spossible.”
HarlanderrunsuntillateSeptember2025. Itis aconcept, ablueprint,ofwhatthefuture inNorther nIrelandmightlooklikeunder thecorrectlegislativeframework. Yetitalso illustratesthe requirementforaninfrastructure tomonitorandoverseeit.Whowillactas
MikeDawson
theauthorisedself-drivingentityinNorthern Ireland?
“Nobodyistheretoday,”Mikesays. “Buscompaniesaren’tinterested. Alotof thetraditionaltransportcompaniesaren’t necessarilyinterested. Youmightseenew companiessteppingintothatspaceratherthan traditionalbuscompanies.Who’sgoingtofulfil those rolesisa gaptoday.Howdoyoufind therightoperatingmodelswherepeopleare willingtostepinanddothis? We knowfrom bringingtheconsortiumstogetherhowthinon thegroundthesupplybaseisintheUK.”
Globalend-to-endexamplesinclude Waymo, whichoperates acommercialautonomoustaxi serviceincitiesacrosstheUS.Buttheyhave
hadbillionsinfinance.“Idon’tforeseethat beingthesituation[inNorther nIreland],”Mike says.“Ithinkyou’llgetsoftwareprovidersand vehicleprovidersjoiningup.Thenyou’llhave somebodyelserunningtheservice.”
Theautonomousvehicle revolutionhasa lottoofferlocalbusinesses,whetherfroma publictransportperspectiveorgettinginvolved increatingthetechnologies.Harlander wasdesignedinpartnershipwithseveral companies,includingBelfast’sownAngoka whichisbasedattheCatalystinnovation centreandoversawthecybersecurityfor remoteoperationofthevehicle.
Harlander,explainsRossJamesatOxa, “integratescutting-edgetechnologyfrom
TheHarlanderautonomous vehiclewhichoperatesin theTitanicQuarter
variousspecialists,withlocalinnovatorslike Angokaplaying avital roleinaddressinga specificandcrucialaspectoftheproject: securingtheinfrastructuretobesafe, resilient andsecure.”
Autonomousvehicles requirestrongsecurity tooffsetthreatsof remotehackinganddata breaches. TraditionalGPScommunicationscan be aweakspot.DuringHarlander’srunthe localmobilenetworkinBelfastwentdown briefly.Harlander“was reliantonthatforthe GPS,thelocationofthevehicle.Itcausedone ortwoproblems,butnothingsignificant,”says Mike.Oxasaidtheirtechnologiesareableto overcomecommunicationbarriersthroughthe useof“multiplesensorsandmodalities…for>
IT &C YBER-S EC UR IT Y redundantand robustlocalisation.Thismeans thatwearen’tlimitedtooperatinginplaces with aGPSsignal –enablingoperationinall environments,whetherthat’sanunderground minewithnoGPSatall,or abusyurban environment.”
BelfastHarbourhasbeenindiscussions withlocaluniversitiesabout researchintonew innovationsaroundautonomoustransport. Queen’sUniversityBelfast,forexample,is exploring aprojectthataimstoimprove positioningsystemsthroughtheuseofnew quantumtechnologies.Itwillallowaircraftto negateGPSjamming,submarinestooperate formonthswithoutconnectiontosatellites, andautonomousvehiclestooperateinGPS deniedareas.
“Quantumpositioningis apromising technologythatcanaddresssomeofthe mostchallengingpositioningproblemsin autonomousvehiclesystems,wherecurrent, conventionaltechnologiesareunreliable,” accordingtoProfessorMehrdadDianati, whoisheadinguptheQuantumEnabled Position,Navigationand Timing(QEPNT) project.“ResearchersatQueen’sare excitedto
contributetoQEPNT’scutting-edge researchon evaluatinganddesigningpracticalquantumpositioningsystemsforautonomousvehicles.”
Autonomousvehicleshavethepotential toimprove roadsafetyinNorther nIreland, by reducingthepotentialforhumanerror (whichaccountsforanestimated88%ofall accidents).But,withoutnecessarylegislation inplace,theyaregoingnowhereforthetime being.BelfastHarbourhashad“conversations withtheDepartmentForInfrastructuretosee whattheirplansare,”saysMikeDawson.“But certainly,theyhave alongwaygottogoto catchupwithwhereGBiswith regardstothe legislation.”
LizKimmins,theInfrastructureMinister, was recentlyaskedifshewouldconsidera pilotschemeforself-drivingtaxisinNorthern Ireland,similartoanupcomingschemein GB.Shesaid:“Theproposedself-drivingtaxi pilotschemeisbasedwithinthelegislative frameworkinGreatBritainfortheuseof fullyautonomousvehicleswithout asafety driver.Thereisnosuchframeworkhere.” Butdepartmentwill,shesaid,“monitorthe progressofthepilotscheme.”
Fromasocietalperspective,organisations liketheRoyalNationalInstituteofBlind People(RNIB)inBelfastarealsokeepingclose tabsonwhatisgoingon.Thetechnology, theybelieve,could revolutionisethelives ofthousands.“Thereismuchdiscussion amongstblindandpartiallysightedpeople whoareunabletodrive aconventional vehicle,aboutthefutureprospectof travellingorevenowning adriverlesscar,” ColumDelaneyfromRNIB,said.
“Theideaisexcitingandhaspotential tomaketravelevenmoreaccessible andinclusive.Blindandpartiallysighted peoplearealreadynavigatingincreasingly automatedstreetscapes,notjustasfuture passengers,butaspedestrianstoday.The truepotentialofautonomousvehicles willonlybe realisedwhenthey’resafe, accessible,andintuitiveforeveryone, fromthepavementtothepassengerseat. RNIBurgesindustryandgovernmentto designinclusivelyfromtheoutset,engage meaningfullywithblindandpartiallysighted people,andbuildtransportsystemsthat workforall.” ■
AWaymoJaguardriverless carinSanFrancisco
Belfastrecruitmentfirm appointsnewmanagingdirector Anexecutive recruitmentfirm hasappointed anewmanaging director.
Belfast-based4CExecutivePlacementhas announcedtheappointmentofClaireReidto the role.
Thefirmalso recentlyunveileditsbrand refreshandnewly refurbishedofficesinBelfast citycentre.
“Havingbeenwithusforthepastnine yearsasheadofdelivery,Claireiswellknownamongourclientsforherunwavering commitmenttoexcellence,rigorousattention todetailandherexceptionaljudgeofcharacter whenitcomestoidentifyingtheverybest talentforsenior-level,businesscritical roles,” GaryIrvine,founderandchiefexecutive,said.
“Withalongbackgroundinthe recruitment industry,Clairebrings awealthofexperience andexpertisethatpositionsherextremelywell tolead4Cincomingyearsasweenterthis
excitingphaseinthebusiness.”
She replacesGordonCarsonwho,after eightyearsasmanagingdirectorat4C,takes upthe roleofdirectorofbusinessdevelopment withBryson.
“Brysonisanoutstandingorganisation withwhomwehaveenjoyed alongstanding relationship,havingplacedthecurrentchief executiveand anumberofothersenior rolesin recentyears,”MrIrvinesaid.
ClaireReidand GaryIrvine
MartinMcMenamin, Versaffix, VictoriaByrne, Viltra,JohnMcKibben, InvestNI,Economy MinisterDrCaoimhe Archibald,StevenHeaney, Sheaney,andRoryMcKee ofProntoEngineering
NewryandsouthArmagh firmsinvestnearly £2m Fourcompaniesin theNewryand southArmaghareahaveannounced thattheyareinvestingnearly£2mto growexportsandcreate24newjobs.
AccordingtotheDepartmentforthe Economy,thefirmswillnowbeabletoincrease productivityandturnover,buildcapacity,and growsalesintheRepublicofIreland,Britain andEurope
EconomyMinisterCaoimheArchibaldmade theannouncementon avisitto Versaffix, a manufacturerofequipmentforexcavatorsin Lislea,southArmagh.
Shemet representativesfromallfour companies,whichhaveall receivedsupport fromeconomicdevelopmentagencyInvestNI, onhervisit.
“SMEsare thebackboneofoureconomy andaccesstofinancialsupportforthesetypes ofbusinessesiscrucial,”shesaid.
“Iwasencouragedtomeetallfour companieswhohavebenefitedfromInvestNI’s supportandhearhowtheseinvestments have increasedcapacity,drivensales,andunlocked newexportopportunities.
“SupportingruralSMEsisessentialto creatinginclusiveandlong-termeconomic
resilience.Italsoalignswithmyeconomicvision to recalibrateeconomicdevelopmentacross thenorthbycreatinggoodjobsandaddressing historic regionalimbalances.”
InvestNIhasoffered£191,700ofsupport towardsthecompanies’investments,whichare settocontribute£2mtotheeconomyoverthe nextfewyears.
Versaffixisinvesting£701,000initsbusiness andcreatingeightnewjobswithsupportfrom InvestNI.
MartinMcMenamin,businessdevelopment manager,said:“Asanearly-stagebusiness, thisinvestmentwillenableustobuildour managementteamandincreaseproduction capacity,supportingustocommercialiseour productandexpandourglobal reach.
“We’realsoinvestinginmarketdevelopment activitiestohelpustogrowsalesinthe RepublicofIrelandandGreatBritain,before launchingourtiltrotatorproductsinthe Europeanmarket.
“TheadviceandsupportfromInvestNIhas givenustheconfidencetotakethisexciting next stepforourbusiness.”
Viltra, aproviderofwastewatertreatment solutionsinNewry,isinvesting£514,000to
strengthenitsmanagementandproduction capacity.Thecompanywill recruitsixnew roles, helpingittoincreaseexportstothesouthof IrelandandFranceandtakeonlargerprojects.
ProntoEngineeringinCamloughdesigns industrialautomationsolutionsandisinvesting £462,000toincreaseproductivity,growsalesin targetmarketsandcreatesixjobs.
AndSheaney,aspecialistinmarine, civilengineeringandinfrastructureproject management,alsoinNewry, isinvesting £270,000toincreaseitsexportstotheRepublic andcreatefourjobs.
StevenHeaney,managingdirectorat Sheaney,said:“Thisinvestmentwillequipus tocapitaliseonopportunitiesintheRepublic ofIreland,buildingonourexistingcontractin DublinPort.”
“We’regrowingourgeotechnical,salesand marketingexpertiseandbuildingourcapacity tosupportnewandexistinginfrastructure projects.”
The rolesfromthefourcompaniesinclude softwareengineers,technicians,business developmentmanagers,and arangeof production,mechanical,electricaland managerial roles. ■
Irish ITfirmwithBelfastbaselandsNI publicsectordealworth up to £150m AnIrishITservicesbusinesshas landed amajor publicsector contractworthupto£150m,itcan be revealed.
Version1,whichemploysaround500 staffinBelfast,haswon acontractwith theDepartmentofFinanceforitsIntegr8 Programme.
Thedealwillincludetheimplementationof anOraclefinanceandHRcloudplatform,along withanITservicemanagementplatform,and managedservices.
Thecontractisforaninitialfiveyears,but theoptionfor afurtherfiveyears.
Thepotentialvalueofthecontractranges from£63mto£150m
“Thisrange reflectsthepotentialscaleofthe contractandtakesintoaccountchangesand potentialmodificationstothecontractthatmay be required,” itsays.
Recently,Version1 andtheEducation AuthoritywereawardedDevelopment Teamof theYearattheBelfastTelegraphIT Awards,for
theirsuccessfulcollaborationindevelopingand delivering EAConnect.
Theyweredescribedbythejudgesas“avery worthywinneroftheDevelopment Teamofthe Year,moresoasitdemonstratesthebenefitof collaborationbetweenpublicandprivatesector teams”.
Theircollaborationhad resultedin“tangible anddemonstrablebenefitstocommunities,” thejudgessaid.“EAConnecthitsthemarkin termsofsustainabilityobjectives,datasafety andparentalenablementandcommunication. It’sagenuinewin-winforallstakeholders involved.”
Version 1also recentlyacquiredFarsight Consultingforanundisclosedamount.
FarsightConsultingis aUK-basedcompany with astrongtrack recordindeliveringdigital transformationprojectswithorganisations acrossthepublicsector.Itwilladdanadditional £17min annual revenueand133staffto Version1’soperations.
Version 1alreadypartnerswithFarsight
onseverallarge-scalegovernmentprojects, andthismovewillprovide acompellingand powerfulvaluepropositiontoallcustomersand prospectsinthisspace.
Version 1isaleaderindigital transformation,partneringstrategically withglobalorganisationstotransformand adopttechnologyanddriveinnovationin a responsibleway
“Wewarmlywelcomeeveryonefromthe Farsightteamto Version 1andareeagerto seethepositiveimpactthatthisacquisitionwill haveforourcustomersandpotentialcustomers inthepublicsectorspace,”thefirmsaid.
“There’snodoubtthatthisisaperfectmatch oftalent,experience,andexpertisewhichwe havealreadyharnessedacrossseveralprojects thatwealreadycollaborateon.Farsight operates acloselymatchedmodeltoours,so wewillbeabletoquickly realisethesynergies andpassonthebenefitsstraightawaytoour customers. We lookforwardwithanticipation tomakingthishappen.” ■
ChinaextendsEUdairy probe into 2026citing case ‘complexity’ China’sgovernmenthasextendeda probeintoEuropeanUniondairy importsbysixmonths.
Whentheinvestigationwasfirstlaunched inthesecondhalfoflastyear,itwaswidely fearedtobepartof atit-for-tat reciprocation in responsetoEUcountriesvotingtoimpose tariffsonelectricvehicle(EV)importsfrom China.
Chinaextendeditsinvestigationinto whetherEUmembersareillegallysubsidising dairythatisthensoldforexport.
TheMinistryofCommercesaidithad prolongedtheinvestigationperiodtoFebruary 21,2026,citingthecase’scomplexity.
InJune,aninvestigationintoEuropeanpork wassimilarlyextended,leavingexporterson tenterhooksat atimeofheightenedglobal tradetensionsand apushwithintheEUto
expandintonewnon-USmarkets.
TradetensionsbetweenChinaandthe EUeruptedin2023whentheEuropean Commissionlaunchedananti-subsidyprobe intoChinese-madeelectricvehicles,accusing Beijingoffloodingthemarketwithstatebackedexports.
InAprilthisyear,aEuropeanCommission spokespersonsaidtheEUandChinahad agreedtolookintosettingminimumpricesof Chinese-madeEVsinsteadoftariffsimposed bytheEUlastyear.
Thetwosideshaveyetto reach adeal.
China’smovein relationtofoodimports meansits responsetobarriersagainstitsEVs hitsEUmemberstates,includingIreland, thatdonotproducecarsthatcompetewith Chinese-mademodels,butdovalueaccessto Chineseconsumers.
Sofar,Irishfarmersandproducershave largelyescapedthebacklash.TheChinese
complaint relatesto asub-sectorofdairy products,includingcheeses.
MostIrishcheeseexportsaredirectedtothe UKandEUmarkets.
Irishexportsareskewedmoretobutterand milk-deriveddairyingredientsusedinbaby powdersandotherwhey-basedproducts.
However,thecasehighlightsthegrowing trendawayfrommarketaccessacrossthe globe,notjustintheUSwhereatariffregime isnowbecomingfirmlyentrenched.
“Beijingisstillhopingtocometotermswith theEUon alonglistoftradeconflicts,”said EvenRogersPay,ananalystatBeijing-based TriviumChina,whospecialisesinagriculture.
“Thisinvestigation –alongwiththe investigationintoEUpork,whichwas extendedinJune –are significantbargaining chipsintheongoingnegotiationsaroundthe EU’stariffsonChinesenewenergyvehicles,” shesaid. ■
DonalO’Donovan
ENERGY,WASTE &ENV IRON MENT Fromwaste towealth Sponsoredby
PavelBarter looksat someoftheNorthern Irelandfirmstransforming recycledmaterialsinto productsandputting upcyclingtothefore, pavingthewayfor acirculareconomy
Overthedecadesincetheir installation,theboardwalksat PortmoreLoughnearBallinderry inAntrimhavesurvivedflooding,storms andthe retreatingofwaters,withoutany detriment.
Peoplewalkingupontheseboardwalksmay not realisetheywereconstructedfrom recycled plastic.“Inotherwords,thesingle-usematerial thatcouldhavebeen apollutanttothelough hasnowbecome aresource,”saysSara Velasquez,managingdirectorofEcoplastic, whobuiltthestructures.
EcoplasticisoneofmanyfirmsinNorthern
Irelandwhoaretransforming recycled materialsintoproductsandpainting apicture ofwhatthecirculareconomymightlooklike. ManufacturersinNorther nIrelandare“at theforefrontof reuseofpreviouslydiscarded materials,”accordingtoStephenKellyof ManufacturingNI.
CamdenGroupinAntrim,forexample, processesoldPVCwindowsanddoorsinto newmaterials.HuhtamakiinDollingstown convertsdiscardedpaperintoeggboxes. BusinesseslikeEncircinDerrylin,whichmakes bottlesfrom recycledglass,are“challenging normsandgettingpeopletothink,”says
FiacreO’Donnell,Encirc’sheadofstrategic development.
StephenKellysaysthat“in aworldthat increasinglytaxeswaste,andwherecustomers andconsumersaredemandingthattheir suppliersdecarbonise,”manufacturersare leadingthewayforecoinnovation.
InJune2025, RTU, aconcretesupplierin Newtownabbey,launchedthe region’sfirst recycledconcreteplantfollowing a£500,000 investment.Concrete remainsthecornerstone ofmoder nconstructionbutwhenit reaches theendofitslife“itendsupinlandfillsites as aresidualwastematerial”,AlanSproule,
managingdirectorat RTU,says.“Ifwedeliver a10mcubeofconcreteto acustomerbut theyonlyuseeightmetresofthat, atwometre cubecomesbackandhistoricallythatmaterial willendupasinertwastein alandfillsite.”
Thisdoesnothavetobethecase. RTU’s newmachineryallowsthefirmto reclaim 7,200tonnesofaggregatefor reuseperyear–equivalenttotheweightof600double-decker buses.“Concreteisquite asimpleproduct.Itis madeupofcement,stone,sandandwater,” Alansays.“There’saheavycarbonfootprint inquarrying,sandandstone.Sothefact we’rereusingthatmaterialmeansthereisless quarryingatthestartoftheprocess.”
SmallbusinesseslikeEcoplasticin Downpatrick,whichdesignsandmakes structuresfrom100% recycledmaterial, present amodelforhowwemightapproach oneofthemostpressingconcernsofour moder nera. Arecent reviewpublishedin medicaljournaltheLancetdescribedplastics as“grave,growingandunder-recognised danger”tohumanandplanetaryhealth. Meanwhile,theUNisstrugglingtosecurean internationaltreatytoendplasticpollution. ButNImanufacturersareprovingthat recycling makesbusinessessense.Customersand contractorsarechoosingtobuyEcoplastic’s pedestrianbridges,streetfurniture,biketrails andpostandrailfencing,nottosavethe worldbutbecausethematerial“isexcellent
andmaintenance-free,”saysSara Velasquez. Thequalityof recycledandupcycledmaterials canbeeverybitasgood,ifnotbetter,than newlyproducedproducts.
Encirchasbeendescribedasthemost sustainableglassmanufacturerintheworld, onaccountoftheirinvestmentinnew technologiesandfurnaces.Thefirmsupplies mostofthebigfoodandbeveragecompanies intheworldwith recycledbottles.“Every Baileysbottleintheworldhasbeenmadeby usinFermanaghfromabouttheyear2000,” Fiacresays.“Bushmills,Jamesonandother localbrands.OurfactoryinDerrylinthisyear willmakeinexcessof300millionwinebottles. There’sacircularityforthosebottles.Forevery bottlethatwefillintheUK,wesave170 gramsofcarbonperbottle.”Recycling,he says,makeseconomicsense.
RTUisalsoseeing aretur nfortheir £500,000investment.“Wedon’thaveour ownquarriessowedon’thaveourown sandorstone,”Alansays.“By reusingthose productswearesavingthecostofhaving tobuythematerial.Sothereisafinancial incentiveforus.”
Recyclingimpactshow acompany approaches resourcemanagementinevery aspectofthebusiness.Encirc,forexample, operatedaircompressorsinitsglassproduction facilitythatcreated avastamountofheat.One ofthefirm’syoungengineers,Christopher>
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Encirc’sFiacreO’Donnell
EN ERGY,WAS TE &E NV IRON ME NT Doolan,designed aheatexchangerthat attachedtothecompressorsandnowheats thewholeadministrationbuildingandwater intheshowerblock,saving£15,000 ayearin energycosts.“It’saboutbeingcreativeinthe solutionsthatyougenerate,”saysFiacre Firmsthatturn recycledmaterialsinto productsare helpinghighlightwidersocietal andgovernmentalissuesaround recycling. Encircdoesnotuse100% recycledglass becausetheycannotgetthevolumes required withinNorther nIreland.Around65%ofour glassislostaswasteduetoco-minglingof glasswithcardboardandothermaterials. “Glasscollectedinco-mingledbinsleaves Norther nIreland,”Fiacresays.“Wedon’tsee anyofit. Yetwecoulduseallofitherein Fermanaghwhichwoulddisplaceourneedfor rawmaterials.”
Thesolution,suggeststheEncircexecutive, istoadapt asimilarsystemtothatin Wales wherecitizensseparate recyclablematerials inseparatecompartmentsof asinglebin. “Whenyouco-mingle recyclablematerialsto thepointwhereyoucan’tusethem,theonly
solutionistoputthemintoanincineratorand bur nthemoff,”hesays.
Manufacturersunderstandtheycannot propelsocietytowardacirculareconomy withouthelp. RTUencourages awider strategicandcollaborativeapproachacross theconstructionsector:“We’retryingto spreadthatmessageofinnovationand takingpositiveaction,”saysAlanSproule. Sara VelasquezofEcoplasticcallsfor greaterpenaltiesonmulti-nationalswho aregeneratingplasticandthegovernments supportingthem.“Thereisnopointinfixing thingsfurtherdownstreamiftheproduction isspeedingupandgeneratingmoreplastic,” she reasons.
Yetthroughthenatureoftheirbusiness, thesefirmsareleadingbyexample–particularlyat acommunitylevel.Encirc createslocalawarenessaboutitssustainability strategythroughengagementwithlocal sportsclubsandotherlocalgroups.“When youstartdemonstrating[how acarbon footprintcanbe reduced],”saysFiacre. “Peoplewillseetangiblebenefitsnotonly
forthemselvesbuttheirfamilies. Ithinkthat inspirespeopleintoaction.”
Ecoplastic’sboardwalksandpublic furnituresend amessageintothewider worldabouthowsupposedlysingle-use plasticscanbe repurposed.“Manypeople whowillcometousandsay,‘Ididn’tknow thatthatbenchorthatstreetnameplatewas madeoutofplastic,untiltheyseeitatour premises’,”Sarasays.“Peopleunderstand single-useplasticcanhave along-termhome intheenvironmentandimprovecommunity spaces,and reducecapitalspendbecause theydon’thaveto replaceiteveryfourorfive years.”
RTUisafamily-ownedbusinessthat self-identified,self-installedandself-funded theirnew recyclingfacility.Theyarenotin businesstochangetheworldbuttheyhave certainlyfoundfinancialopportunityinthe circulareconomy.“Ournewwaste recycler is reducingquarryingfornewmaterial,itis reusingmaterialsoveragain,andit’sstopping materialgoingtolandfill,”Alansays.“It pushesallthegoodbuttons.” ■
RTUlaunchedtheregion’sfirstrecycledconcreteplant
Irishrenewablesfirm secures fundingfor wind farmsacross UK and Ireland GaletechOperationshaswonthree contractstoservicewindfarmsin IrelandandtheUK.
TheCavan-basedcompany hassignedan operationandmaintenance(O&M)contract withStatkraftforitsMilaneHillwindfarmin Cork,anditsBeenageehawindfarminKerry Aspartoftheagreement,Galetech Operations’subsidiaryOptinergy,alsosituated inCavan,willprovide arangeofservicessuch as24/7 remotemonitoring,rapid-response fieldserviceanddata-drivenperformance optimisationto15turbineslocatedinthetwo windfarms.
Thiswillaimtogenerate acombined10MW ofcleanenergythatcanpoweralmost10,000 homes.
IntheUKmarket,GaletechOperations’ Northampton-basedsubsidiaryAdamas Wind agreedanO&McontractwithEurowindEnergy forits 8turbinesinHowparkwindfarmonthe Scottishborder
ThecontractwillinvolveAdamas Wind providing24/7 remotemonitoringandcallout supporttotheHowparkwindfarm,aswell asscheduledandunscheduledmaintenance, bladeinspectionservices,andspare-parts management.
ThecontractwithEurowindEnergyto manageitsHowparkwindfarmisthefirst full-scopeO&MagreementsecuredbyAdamas WindsinceitjoinedtheGaletechOperations platform.EurowindEnergysaysthiswill enableittoavailofallservicesprovidedbythe
Northampton-basedsubsidiary ClareWalters,thecountymanagerfor EurowindEnergy,said:“We’repleasedto partnerwithAdamas Windasthefull-scope O&MproviderforHowpark WindFarm.
“Theirteam’sextensiveexperienceinwind farmoperationsgivesusconfidenceinthelongtermperformanceand reliabilityofthesite.”
Aspartofthecontract,Adamas Wind willestablish anewservicebaseinScotland, creatingskilledjobsforpeopleinthe region.
“Thiscollaborationnotonlysupportsour operationalgoalsbutalsoalignswithour commitmenttoinvestinginlocalexpertiseand creatingvalueinthe region.Welookforward tobuilding astrongandlasting relationship,” shesaid.
RobPayne,commercialdirectorof GaletechGroup,said:“Thesecontractawards demonstratethestrengthofourintegrated O&MofferinginGaletechOperationsandthe confidencewhichleadingassetownershavein ourteam.
“SecuringStatkraft’sIrishsitesandEurowind Energy’sHowpark WindFarmis asignificant stepforwardinthatjourney,andwelook forwardtobuildinglongtermpartnershipswith bothclients.” ■
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EN ERGY,WAS TE &E NV IRON ME NT
Re-Gen: leadingthe way in recyclingtechnology SinceRe-GenLtdopenedforbusiness in2004,ithasbecomeoneof Europe’sleadingMRFs(materials recoveryfacility)employingover350 peopleandhas aturnoverofaround £100m.
Today,itisoneofNewry’slargestemployers and akeycontributortothelocaleconomy. AtRe-Gen,innovationiscentralto everythingwedo.AsoneofEurope’smost technologicallyadvancedMRF,ourbusinessis builtaround aboldambition,to revolutionise theway recyclingiscollected,sortedand processedwiththepurposeofdeliveringa cleaner,moreefficientandsustainablefuture forthecurrentandfuturegenerations.
Ourinnovationstrategyisgroundedin solvinglong-standingchallengesinthe recyclingindustrywhileunlockingnew opportunitiesthroughadvancedtechnologies.
Ourfocusover recentyearsisto transformtheperceptionandperformance ofcommingled recyclingsystems.Foryears, kerbsidesortingandmulti-streamcollection havebeenviewedasthegoldstandard. However,theycomewithhigheroperational costs,lowerpublicparticipationand ahigher carbonfootprint.
Re-Genhassetouttoprovethat commingledsystems,supportedbydigital innovation,cannotonlymatchbutexceed theperformanceoftraditionalmodels.
Independent reports,includingEunomia’s NICarbonReport(June2024),confirmthat ourcommingledapproach(NIonly)delivers amateriallylowercarbonimpactpertonne andisalsopreferredbytheNIhouseholder forbeinganeasierprocesstosorteasilyand efficiently,accordingto areportfromLucidTalk (June2024).Finally,commingledisthecheaper optionthankerbside,accordingto areport fromGrantThorntoninJunelastyear.
In2024,weundertook amajor£10m
JosephDoherty, chiefexecutiveof Re-Gen
upgradeofourmaterials recoveryfacility.This includedthedeploymentof real-timewaste analysis,artificialintelligenceandautomated sortingtechnologiesdesignedtoradically enhance recoveryratesandprocessing efficiency.Oneofthemostsignificant advancementswastheintegrationofAIpoweredvisionsystemsthatcontinuouslyscan wastematerialsduringsorting.
Thesesystemsprovide real-timeinsights intomaterialcompositionandcontamination levels,allowingimmediatecorrectiveaction fromoperatorsandimprovinglong-term performancethroughdataanalysis.
We alsoinstalledelevennewhigh-capacity opticalsorters,whichusenear-infraredsensors andhigh-resolutioncamerastoidentifyand separatematerialssuchasplastics,paper, aluminium,andglass.
Thisinvestmentallowedustoincrease throughput,improvematerialpurity,and
reduce relianceonmanualsorting.Thespeed andaccuracyofthissystemareunmatchedby traditionalapproaches,deliveringenhanced recyclatequalitywhileloweringoperational costs.
Inadditiontoenhancingsortingprocesses, weintroduced anewlayeroftransparencyand traceabilitythrough apartnershipwithPolytag, oneofEurope’sleadingpackagingtrackand tracecompanies.
Aspartof aUK-widetrialinvolvingmajor brandsand retailerslikeM&S,Ocadoand Waitrose,Polytagarerollingouttheuseof UVdigitalwatermarkingembeddedinonthe plasticpackaging.Theseinvisiblecodesallow themtotrackpackagingitemsthroughoutthe recyclingprocess,providingvaluableinsights tobrandownersand retailersabouthowtheir packagingperformspost-consumption.This supportstheirExtendedProducerResponsibility obligations,empowersmore sustainable
packagingdesigninthefutureand akeylever inthesuccessofthecirculareconomy.
“OurpartnershipwithRe-Genmarksa majorsteptowardstraceable,data-driven recycling,”Polytagchiefexecutive,Alice Rackley,says.
Re-Gen’scommitmenttoinnovationand collaborationhasmadethemanexceptional partner.Together,we’regivingbrands unprecedentedvisibilityintotheirpackaging’s journey,supportingEPRcomplianceand drivingthecirculareconomyforward.”
Re-Genseekstoscaleourinnovationto shapefutureindustrystandards.Thenew moder n£50mMSW(municipalsolidwaste) facilityinNewry,currentlyinphasethreeof itsmodularinfrastructuretointegratefuture digitalsystemsand robotictechnologies.
Itiscrucialtoaligneveryinnovationwith netzeroandcirculareconomygoals. We are committedto reducinglandfilldependency
tozero,loweringcarbonemissionsand maximisingthe reuseof recoveredmaterials. Oursystemensuresthat residualwasteis repurposedinto refusederivedfuel(RDF)and exportedtoenergy-from-wasteplantsinthe Nordics.
Re-Gensignificantlyinvestsinitsemployees andorganisationalculture, recognisingthat thesustainabilityofinnovationdepends ontheskills,engagementandcreativity ofourworkforce.Ourdigitalinnovation taskforceleadsinternaldevelopmentand ensuresinnovationsarenotjustadoptedbut embedded.
Regularcrossdepartmentalworkshops, real-timetrainingonnewsystemsand annualinnovation reviewsallcontributeto anengagedandinnovation readyteam. Re-Genalsosupportsongoingprofessional developmentinareassuchasdataanalytics,AI operationsandenvironmentalpolicyevolution
tobuild afuturefitskillbase.
JosephDoherty,chiefexecutiveofRe-Gen Ltd,said:‘Re-Genhasembeddedinnovation intoitsinfrastructure,investmentstrategy, workforce,partnershipsandgovernance.This ensuresthatit remains acoreandsustainable engineforgrowthandwill remainoneof themosttechnologicallyadvancedMRF’sin Europe.Re-GenwillshapethefutureofMRF’s goingforwardtoensureefficiencyandcarbon reductionfortodayandthefuture.’
ItisstillRe-Gen’sstrategicgoaltoacquire aGBMRF,toassistwithfuturecapacity requirements. ■
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Calls forregulation on thousandsof ‘unlicensed’short-term holidayletsinNI Thousandsofshort-termholiday letsinNorther nIrelandmaybe operatingwithoutcertification, promptingcallsfortougher regulation.
Anypremisesofferingtourist accommodationmustbe registeredwith TourismNI,withsomealso requiringplanning permission.
Withnocentral register,thetruescaleof unlicensedholidayletshasbeenunclear.
Butfiguresobtainedbythisnewspaper suggestthatover2,000propertiescouldbe operatingwithoutcertification.
In responseto aFreedomofInformation request, TourismNI revealedthat5,170 propertieswerecertifiedasofJune.But accordingtofiguresfromanalyticscompany AirDNA,therewere7,633listingsacrossthe regioninMay.
Thecompanytracksdatafrommajorshortterm rentalwebsitestoprovideinsightsinto
theholiday-letmarket.
AccordingtoAirDNA,themajorityof listingsinMaywereone-andtwo-bedroom properties,numbering1,565and2,167 respectively.
InBelfast, TourismNI recordsshow678 licensedself-cateringholidaylets. Yetasearch onAirbnbforlistingsavailableduringthelast weekofOctober revealed901listings,while AirDNAdatasuggestsmorethan2,000listings wereavailableinthecityinMay.
Short-termholidayletshavebecome increasinglycontentiousintouristhotspots worldwideandseveralcountrieshave implementedtightercontrols,includingSpain, FranceandItaly.
IntheRepublicofIreland,from2026shorttermletsmustbe registeredwithFáilteIreland andshowplanningconsent.Primary residences willbecappedat90 rentaldays ayear,with stayslimitedto14nights.
JaniceGault,chiefexecutiveoftheNIHotels Federation(NIHF),saidthehospitalityindustry
is“increasinglyalarmedbythegrowthof unregulatedshort-term rentalproperties”.
“Beyondthelackof regulation,these propertiesposeconcernsaboutthequality ofthevisitorexperience, alackoftrading transparencyandlimitedeconomic retur nto localcommunities,”sheadded.
MsGaultsaidthatconcernsextendbeyond theimpactonthelocalhospitalitysector.
“Divertinghousingstockfromlong-term rentaltoshort-termuse reducesavailabilityfor residents,makingitmoredifficultforpeopleto findhomes,”sheadded.
“Thiscan,inturn,erodesocial infrastructure,deterworkersfrom relocatingto the regionandputpressureonlocalservices.
“Withouttheintroductionofprimary legislation,theseissuesareunlikelytobe resolved.”Norther nIrelandisinthemidstof ahousingcrisis,withdemandoutstripping supply,andconcernshavebeenraisedover theimpactofshort-termholidayletsonthe housingmarket.
AsofMarchthisyear,morethan49,000 peoplewereonthesocialhousingwaitinglist, andthe regionhas recordedtheUK’sfastestrisingpropertypricesin recentyears.
DrMichaelMcCord, apropertyexpertat UlsterUniversity,saidthenumberof rental propertiesherehasseen a“significantdecline” since2015.
Headdedthatas aresultNorther nIreland has“seenthefastest rentalgrowthinflation (relativetowages) relativetootherUK regions.” ■
FláviaGouveia
EV EN TS,CON FERENC ES & HOSPITAL IT Y Breakingbread Self-taughtbaker
CiaránMcLarnon ofThe Focacceria inBelfasttalksto MargaretCanning aboutgetting startedandhisneed forguidanceon what’snext
Growingup,TheFocacceriaowner CiaránMcLarnonwasanaspiring homecookitchingtogetgoingin thefamilykitchenathomeinAntrim.But withCiarán(37)theeldestofsix,hesays hisparentsweretoobusytosupervise himinanyearlykitchenadventures. Decadeslater,he’sturnedhisinterestinto thegrowingcaféandfoodbusinessThe Focacceria,whichopenedatHouseproud FurnishingsonBelfast’sBoucherRoadlastyear. Servingpizzas,chips,burgers,Italian-
inspiredsandwichesandbagels,it’sgathered rave reviewsfrom restaurantcritics,with Belfast Telegraph’sJorisMinnecallingCiarán the“chipmaster”forhisimpressivefries. Buttheentrepreneurisbrutallyhonest aboutneedingadvicetotakethebusinessto thenextstages.
Ciaránsayshedidn’tgetstartedinthe businessin aconventionalwayashisgrammar schoolcareersadvisorwasn’toverlysoldonthe ideaof aculinarycareerforhim.
“Iwentto a‘goodschool’,StLouisin
Ballymena,andtheytalkedmeoutofpursuing acareerincooking. Iwouldhavementionedit tocareersadvisorsbuttheywouldhavesaid: ‘No,thehoursaretoolong,there’snotgood money.’
“Butitwasmypassionand, regardless, shouldhavebeenthething Ipursued.”
Afterdoing“quitebadly”inhisGCSEs andA-levels,heworkedin retailforBoseand RicherSounds.
Butaround2014,hewanted achangeand somovedtoGlasgow,wherehisinterestin
bakingandcookinghelpedhimget ajobin Aga,wherehetaughthimselftocookand bake.
“Iwasalwaysitchingtocookbut Iwas neverallowedto.Becausewehadsuch abig family,mymumdidn’thavetwoseconds.She wouldneverletmelooseinthekitchenuntilI proved Iwassafeenoughtobebashingabout withpotsandpans.”
WhilelivinginGlasgow,hetaughthimself, viathebook TartineBread,tomakesourdough breadandbegancasuallysupplying aloaf
hereandtheretocafésneartheAgastore,or wherehelivedinMountFlorida.
FurloughedwhenCovidcamealong,he startedsupplyinghisneighbourswith“a weeloaf”:“Ibecameoneoftheseessential workers,runningandcyclingaroundGlasgow whileeveryoneelsewaslockeddown,hanging loavesofbreadontheirdoorhandles.That’s how Igotstarted.”
In2022,hemovedbacktoNorther nIreland andsetupTheHundredthMonkeyBakery using atemporary‘darkkitchen’in ashipping container.
Afterhavingtovacateit,heappealedon socialmediafor anewspot –acallwhichwas heardbyHouseProud.
“Itwassuch abigchangeinspace,from atinyshippingcontainerto a70-seater restaurant,that Ihadto refinetheofferingthat wasbasedon asinglething,sothat’swhere TheFocacceriacamefrom.
“Peoplewouldhaveknownalldifferent typesoffoodsI’ddoneunderthatHundredth Monkeyumbrella,but Icouldn’tbethat anymore,andithadtobesomethingmore focusedotherwise Iwouldn’thavebeenable tokeepup.”
AswellasTheFocacceria,Ciaránhasbeen
providingsourdoughclassesatWaterman Housecookeryschoolinthecity’sCathedral Quarter.Andhehastonnesofotherideas.
“Ihave awholegrandplanofdifferent things Iwanttodo. Afewyearsago Iwas diagnosedwithADHD,andit reallymakes sensenow.It’snotthat Ican’tfocusbutthatI havesomanylittleprojectsgoingon.”
Hesayshe’dliketotweaktheofferingat TheFocacceriasothatit’sanall-dayplace, insteadofhaving arushatlunchtime.
“Wewantforpeoplewhocomeinherefor thefoodtositdown.Butifwe’retoobusy, theycangetsomethingtograbandgo.”
Hehasbuilt astrong relationshipwith GermanovenmakerRational,andhisprowess withtheproductissuchthatthecompanyuses atestimonialfromCiaránonitswebsite.
“Ifyoulookdownthepagethere’sallthese Michelin-starredchefs,andthenthere’smy weeface.
“Iamextremelymodest;certainly ayearor twoago, Iwasextremelyshy,soIdidn’treally believeinmyself.Butmoreandmorepeople aresaying:‘Thisis reallygood.’Andit’sgiven metheconfidencetobelieveinmyselfand whatwearedoinghere.”
TheideathathemighthaveADHDcame>
CiaranMcLarnon ofTheFoccacceria
CiaranMcLarnon makingbreadat TheFoccacceria
EVEN TS ,CON FE RE NC ES &HOS PI TA LITY fromlisteningtopodcastsduringlockdown:“I waslisteningto apodcastwhile Iwasbaking. Itwaslike Iwassittingtherewith abell, dingingiteverytwoseconds.”
Hescored29outof30in aquestionnaire andobtained afulldiagnosis,butwhenhe movedbacktoNorther nIreland,hisdiagnosis intheScottishsystemwasnot recognised.
So,fornow,Ciarán’smanaginghisADHD withoutthemedicationwhichcanbe prescribedforit,whichmeanheneedsmore help.
“ADHDisalwaysalistofthingseveryone does,buttheproblemis,wedoitchronically,” heexplained.
“There’sathing Idescribeasactivation energy.Therecouldbe atask Ihavededicated mywholedayforbut Icouldbestaringatthe projectwithoutstartingit,willingmyselftodo it,butthere’snotenoughincentiveformeto doit,likepressureorpanic,whateveritis.”
It’shelpfultoknowthe reasonhefeelsthat way,“butyoustillneedtogetonwiththings, soyoutakeitasanunderstandingandthen moveon”.
“Thereare thingsthatI amvery,verybad atand Ineedtofind abetterwaytomanage
thatthroughhaving astrongernetworkand team.”
Hesaysheneedsinvestorhelpandadvice forthenextstepswiththebusinessandheis clearonwhathedoesn’twant.
“I[get]veryfrustratedandboredby thingsthataresamey.Ifwejustcreated 20Focacceriasthenthatwouldn’twetmy whistle.”
TheFocacceriaisgraduallybecoming profitable.“It’shardtojudge,butcertainly thepastfewmonthshavebeenmuchmore consistent,”hesaid.
“Andifwe replicatewhatwe’vebeen doingforthepastfewmonths,then,yes,it’s veryviableandprofitable.It’sjustnotknowing howconsistentthingsaregoingtobe.”
Anotherpossibleavenueis a‘delicart’ whichhecouldtransporttoweddingsand workplaces.
“That’ssomethingthat’sbeeninmyhead forthelongesttime.I’mjustbrimmingwith differentideasandthings Iwanttodo,butit’s gettingto asolidfooting.
“Allofthissofarhashappenedwithno investment.Atonepoint,itwasalwaysone stepforward,20stepsback.Now,thispast
sixoreightmonths,it’sbeenconsistently afew stepsforwardatatimeandfindingwe’renot beingpushedbackthistime.
“Ihadoneveryseriousconversationwith apotentialinvestorbuttheydidn’twantto givemeanyofthethings Iwanted.Itjustfelt liketheywantedtostripoutallthepartsthey didn’tlikeandjustgoforthisonethingthat,in theireyes,worked.
“Someoneelsesaidtheywantedmetodo 5,000sourdoughloaves aweek,but IsaidI couldn’tbelessinterestedinthat.So Ineed someoneinterestedinmeandthejourneyI wanttogoon,andwhoalsohasprobablya goodlevelofunderstandingoftheindustry,to takewhat Idoandtheirknowledgeandput ittogether.I’mveryclearthat Idon’tknow everything,butI’mveryclear Icanworkitout as Igoalong.
CiaránisopenabouthisdiagnosisofADHD butadamantitshouldbeunderstoodproperly.
“Idon’twantittobethispositivethingat all –becausemostofthejourneyhasbeenvery difficultforme.Peoplewilloftentalkaboutit being asuperpower –andinsomewaysitis–butit’smisunderstood.There’salotofbadness and alotofhardshipwithit.” ■
CiaranMcLarnon makingbreadat TheFoccacceria
CliftonHouse: oneofBelfast’s historic venues CliftonHouse,openedin1774bytheBelfastCharitable SocietyastheoriginalPoorHouseofBelfast,isan impressiveGeorgianbuildingclosetothecitycentre. Whilemostofthebuildingisthehomeofolderpeople,theheart ofCliftonHousehasbeentransformedinto aheritagecentreand conferencefacility.Thishireablespaceincludesmostsignificantlythe originalboardroom.
Theboardroom,withitspanoramicviewsoverthecity,haswitnessed someofthemostimportantdecisionsonthedevelopmentofBelfast. Itstillcontainsmanyoftheoriginalfeatures,andasyouwalkacross itsfloorboards,youwillfollowinthestepsofkeyfiguresfromBelfast’s history.TheseincludeHenryandRobertJoy,MaryAnnMcCracken,John Charters,EdwardandGeorgeBenn,ThomasMcCabe,tonamebuta few.
CliftonHousehasadditionalspaceonthegroundfloorwithinthe McCrackenSuite,whichalsohasanadjoininglobbyarea,perfectfor break-outspaceorcateringpurposes.
Thevenuealsoboasts awelcoming receptionarea,perfectfor networkingevents,drinks receptions,ormusic recitals.Guestscan exploretheinterpretativecentre,featuringuniquearchiveitemsand artefactsdatingbacktotheearly1700s,providing aglimpseintothe livesofthosewhosoughtsanctuarywithinthesewalls.
CliftonHouseisequippedwithmoder namenities,includingfreewifi,complimentary AV andvideoconferencingequipment,forseamless hybridevents.
CliftonHouse
HalfofhospitalityfirmsinNIcutstaf numbersafter ‘crucifying’costincreases Labour government,announcedtheincreasein the nationallivingwagefrom£11.44to£12.21.
Aroundhalfofhospitalityfirmsin NorthernIrelandhavecutjobssince “crucifying”costincreasescame intoforceinApril,accordingtoanindustry report.
HospitalityUlstersaidmemberswere strugglingafteranincreaseinthenationalliving wageand ariseinemployernationalinsurance contributions.
Itsaidthatmorethanhalfofitsmembers wereoperating80%belowcapacityduetothe riseincosts.
At72%,nearlythree-quartersofHospitality Ulstermembershadlessthansixmonthsof cash reserves,whileoneinfivehadnocashat all.
As adirect resultofAprilcostincreases,68% saidtheyhadincreasedpricesandhalf(50%) hadcutstaffnumbers.
Theresearch,carriedoutwiththeBritish InstituteofInnkeeping(BII),theBritishBeer & PubAssociation(BBPA)andUKHospitality,said 84,000jobshadbeenlostsincetheBudgetin Octoberlastyear
TheBudget,whichwasthe firstbythe
Italsointroducedanincreaseintherateof employernationalinsurancefrom13.8%to 15%,
Thehospitalitybodiessaidtheincreaseshad broughtanadditionalcostof£3.4bntothe sector
RestaurateurMichaelDeane,whoowns BelfastvenuesMeatLocker,MrDeanesand DeanesatQueen’s,saidthecostshadheaped pressureonhisbusiness.
“Ofcourse,peopleneedtogetpaid adecent wage,andwepayourstaffvery,verywell.
“Butthereneedstobesomemeatleftonthe bone,sotospeak
“WhentheLabourgovernmentputinthe nationalinsuranceadjustmentsandincreased the livingwage, Ihadtofindanextra£250,000 ayeartocopeandtobreakeven
“Thetroublewiththatisthateverything else hasgoneupinprice,likemeat,fishand beef,andhowmuchdoyoupassontothe customer?”
Hesaid restaurantswereendingupin competitionwithstoreslikeM&S,whichwere sellinghigh-qualityfoodandwineatlower
prices,“andnoneedfor ataxihome”.
Andutilitycostshadalsogoneupsincethe invasionofUkrainebyRussiain2022.
“Atthatpoint,mygasandelectricbillhad gonefrom£6,000 amonthto£20,000,andit hasn’tcomebackdown.”
AccordingtoHospitalityUlster,89%ofits memberswanttosee areductionof Vatforthe sectorfromtheuniversallevelof20%.
Inaddition,45%wishedtoseean adjustmenttoApril’schangestoemployer nationalinsurance,while38%sought reform tothebusinessratessystemsimilartowhathad beenimplementedinEngland.
ColinNeill,chiefexecutiveofHospitality Ulster,said:“Thisshockingdata reinforces theurgentneedfortheUKGovernmentand NorthernIrelandExecutiveto recognisethe incrediblepressurehospitalitybusinesseshave beenputunder, particularlysinceApril,and illustrateswhyitshouldcomeforwardwith measurestosupportthisvitalsectoratthe Budget
“Unsustainabletaxincreasesaresqueezing businesses,stiflinggrowthandinvestment,and threateninglocalemployment,especiallyfor youngpeople.” ■
There’s aperfectstormbrewing withinthehospitalitysectoracross NorthernIreland
MargaretCanning
INSU RA NC E Abumpyride Sponsoredby
Roadcompensationclaimsareontherisehere, with morethan£20mpaidoutfromStormontoverthelast fiveyears. UlsterBusiness takes acloserlook
DriversinNorther nIrelandhave beenawardedmorethan£20min roadclaimcompensationoverthe pastfiveyears.
Almost20,000publicliabilityclaimsfor potholesand roaddefectsweremadebetween April2020andtheendofMarch2025,costing Stormont£20.6minpayouts,accordingto freshfigures.
During2024/25,thevalueofclaimssettled bytheDepartmentforInfrastructure(DfI) amountedto£5.1m.That’smorethandouble theamountpaidoutfiveyearsago(£2m).
Whilepersonalinjuryclaimsmadeupjust
14%ofthe4,696claims receivedlastyear, theyaccountedforabout76%ofthetotal compensationawarded(£3.9m).
Meanwhile,vehicledamagecompensation lastyearamountedto£1.1m, ariseof15% on2023/24. Afurther£122,000wasawarded inpropertydamage –ayear-on-yearincrease of97%.
ArecentsurveybyCompareNI.comfound that91%ofdriversinNorther nIrelandhave issueswithpotholesintheirarea,with96%of respondentssayingtheyweren’tbeingfixed quicklyenough.
“Potholesareconsistentlyoneofthebiggest
Driversherehavebeenawarded morethan£20mdueto potholesandotherroaddefects
bugbearsfordrivers,leadingtocostly repair billsforthousandsofmotoristsinNorthern Irelandeveryyear,”Ian Wilson,managing directorofCompareNI.com,said.
“Notonlycanpotholesandother road defectscauseseriousdamagetovehicles, includingtosuspension,steeringalignment andtyres,buttheyalsoincreasetheriskof seriousaccidentsandinjuries.
“Whilestandardfullycomprehensivecar insuranceshouldcoverpotholedamage,it isworth rememberingthatmaking aclaim thoughyourprovidercouldseeyouloseyour noclaimsbonus,potentiallyincreasingthecost ofyourpremium.
“However,potholedamagetovehiclesis becomingmoreexpensiveduetotheincreased
costsofpartsandlabour,meaningthe repair billwilltypicallybehigherthantheexcesson theinsurancepolicy –inwhichcase,drivers maylooktotheirinsuranceforhelp.
“Driverswhoexperiencedamagefrom potholescanalsocontacttheDepartmentfor Infrastructureandseekcompensation,but theywillneedproofthedamagecamefroma pothole,soitisimportanttotakephotographs andmeasurementstouseasevidenceinthe claim.”
Lisbur nandCastlereaghhadthemost pothole-relatedclaimsin2024/25(540),while CausewayCoastandGlens(West)hadthe fewestat54.
Whilepotholesaresometimesan unavoidablepartofdriving,thereare
preventativemeasuresdriverscantaketohelp reducetheriskofdamage,suchas regularly maintainingtyrepressure,beingwaryof puddlesandcheckingnavigationappsfor problemareas.
Breakingdownthefiguresbyarea,Belfast Northwasthemostexpensiveareaintermsof compensationlastyearat£692,000followed byArmagh,Banbridge &Craigavon(West)at £580,000.
Attheotherendofthescale,thelowest expensefor roadclaimswasinCauseway Coast &Glens(West)at£39,000,withDerry CityandStrabanejustbehindat£41,000.
“Inadditiontothe£20.6mincompensation overfiveyears,theNIExecutivespent afurther £12.1monvariouslegalcostsandmedical
fees,takingthetotalcostof roadclaimssince 2020to£32.7m,”the researchsaid.
Meanwhile,olderdriversinNorther nIreland arepayingmoreforcarinsuranceonaverage thanalmostanywhereelseintheUK,figures haveshown.
Researchshows revealedthatover65sin Norther nIrelandareforkingout£478ontheir annualpremiums,whichisaround10%more thanthenationalaverageforthatagegroup.
Bycomparison,olderdriversin Walesare payinganaverageofjust£348,whilethose inSouthEastEnglandpay£356eachyear.In fact,theonly regionmoreexpensivethanNIis London,wherethetypicalmotoristover65can expecttopay£622.
“Oldermotoristsgenerallyenjoythe>
Parliament Buildingsat Stormont
cheapestinsurancepremiumsofanyage group,giventheirexperience,normallylower mileageandfewerincidents,”CompareNI said.
“Howeverseriousaccidentsamongthisage groupareontherise –surgingby47%since 2010.
“Totacklethisissue, acampaignlaunched bytheNIExecutivethissummerisaimedat raisingawarenessaroundfitnesstodrive,with aparticularfocusonelderlymotorists.
“TheStormontinitiativehopesto encouragehonestdiscussionsbetweenfamily membersandfriends,urginganyonewho hasconcernsaboutsomeoneelse’sdriving capabilitytospeakup.
“Italsohighlightsthespecific requirements arounddrivinglicence renewalforolder drivers,asmotoristsover70arerequiredto renewtheirlicenceseverythreeyearsbyselfassessingtheirmedicalfitness.
“However,datapublishedbytheUK Governmentshows aworryingriseincollisions linkedtopoorvision,leadingtogrowing concernsover roadsafety,withmounting pressurefromcampaignerstomakedrivers overtheageof70undergocompulsory eyesighttestseverytwoyears.”
Meanwhile,theincreasingconsumermove towardsgoingelectrichasseenanincreasein thenumberofnewinsuranceproductsbeing launchedtotargetthatmarket.
Datafrom‘MarketinFullColour’analysis frominsightpartnerConsumerIntelligence shows11newinsuranceproductsbegan quotingforEVson amajorpricecomparison websitelastyearwithjustthreetofourfor petrol,diesel,orhybridvehicles.
Insurersarelaunchingtailoredpolicieswith featureslikechargingequipmentprotection, EVbreakdownsupport,andevencarbon offsetting.
“Theindustryis respondingtomarket changes,”itsays.“SocietyofMotor Manufacturersand Traders(SMMT)data showsnewBEVsales rose35.2%inthefirst fourmonthsofthisyearcomparedwiththe sameperiodlastyear.
“Petrolsalesdropped10%anddiesel 13.2%.Premiumsarefallingaftersharprises in2023astheexpansionin repairnetworks driveimprovementsinturnroundtimes andricherclaimsdataishelpinginsurers toimprovepricing.Riskprofilesofelectric vehicledriversarenowmorelikepetroland dieselcustomers.”
SomeEVinsurershaveslashedpremiums “byasmuchas18%andoneinsurer recentlyincreaseditsEVquotability –the frequencyatwhichitquotes –by40 percentagepointsandgainedanincrease of12%initsshareofthetopfivequote positions,”itsays. ■
Electricvehiclesales arerisingacrossthe UKandIreland
UK inflation risesby morethan expected UKinflation rosebymorethan expectedinJulyasdemandfor summertravelpushedupairfares andfoodpricescontinuedtoclimb.
ConsumerPricesIndex(CPI)inflation increasedto3.8%inJuly,from3.6%inJune, theOfficeforNationalStatistics(ONS)said.
Itmeanstheheadlinerate remainedatthe highestlevelsinceJanuary2024,whenithit 4%.
TheONSsaidtransportwasthebiggest factordrivingupoverallinflationduringJuly, particularlydueto aspikein flightprices asfamiliesbookedtripsduringtheschool summerholidays.
Airfaressoaredby30.2%betweenJune andJuly,thebiggestjumpsincethecollection ofmonthlydatabeganin2001.
Theaveragepriceofpetrol roseby2pper litrebetweenJuneandJuly,andtheaverage dieselpriceby2.9pperlitreovertheperiod, thedatashowed.
PricesacrossUK restaurantsandhotelsalso increased,largelydrivenby ajumpinovernight hotelstaysbookedthenightbefore.
Mosteconomistshadbeenforecasting inflationtoriseto3.7%.
Foodanddrinkinflation roseto4.9%in July,from4.5%inJune.
Thismarkedthefourthmonthin arowthat theannualratehadincreasedand remainedat thehighestlevelsinceFebruary2024.
GrantFitzner,theONS’schiefeconomist, said:“Themaindriverwas aheftyincreasein airfares,thelargestJulyrisesincecollection ofairfareschangedfromquarterlytomonthly in2001.
“Thisincreasewaslikelyduetothetiming ofthisyear’sschoolholidays.
“Thepriceofpetrolanddieselalsoincreased thismonth,comparedwith adropthistime lastyear.
“Foodpriceinflationcontinuestoclimb–withitemssuchascoffee,freshorangejuice, meatandchocolateseeingthebiggestrises.”
ChancellorRachelReevesacknowledged thattherewas“moretodotoeasethecostof living”followingthe figures.
Shesaid:“Wehavetakenthedecisions neededtostabilisethepublic finances,
andwe’realongwayfromthedoubledigitinflationwesawundertheprevious government,butthere’smoretodotoease thecostofliving.
“That’swhywe’veraisedtheminimum wage,extendedthe£3busfarecap,expanded freeschoolmealstooverhalf amillionmore childrenandarerollingoutfreebreakfastclubs foreverychildinthecountry.”
KrisHamer,directorofinsightfortrade bodytheBritishRetailConsortium,said: “Householdsareonceagainseeingthecost oftheirweeklyshopclimb,withfoodinflation nowupby1.9percentagepointsinjustfour months.
“Thissurgehasbeen akeydriverbehind headlineinflation,alongside ariseintransport costs,pilingfreshpressureonfamiliesalready beingforcedtocutback.
“TheBankofEnglandhasbeenclearthat Governmentpolicies,whichhavedrivenup thecostsofemployment,arefuellingprice risesatthetill,whilepoorharvestsand globalinstabilityhavealsoaddedfurthercost pressures.” ■
We protect reputatons. And balance sheets. WhyanEU-UStradedealisn’t prompting joyunabatedhere... in thesouth or furtherafield ThenewEU-UStariffputs a15%tariffonthebloc’s importsintotheUS–butthatisnotnecessarilygoodnewsforanyone,writes MargaretCanning
TheEU-US15%tariffdealmaywell haveaverted atradewar,butthat doesn’tmeanit’sbeengreeted enthusiasticallyinNorther nIreland,the Republic –orindeed,anywhereinEurope.
Thedeal,announcedbyUSPresidentDonald TrumpandEuropeanCommissionpresident UrsulavonderLeyen,applies atariffof15%to EUimportsintotheUS–animprovementona threatenedrateof30%.
Andonthefaceofit,itleavesNorthern Irelandatanadvantageasitsexportstothe USaresubjecttoatariffof10%,followinga UK-UStradedealinMay.
However,theEUandUSareexpectedto agreesomezero-for-zeroexemptionswithin theirdeal –whichcouldmeanNorther nIreland productsona 10%tariff,whilethesame productsfromtheRepublicaretariff-free.
Andwherea10%tariffdoesapply, Norther nIrelandcouldlosethatbenefitunder rulesoforiginprovisionsifit’spartlymadein theRepublic.
EconomyMinisterDrCaoimheArchibald said:“TheimpositionoftariffsbytheUS administrationwillfuelinflationandhas thepotentialtodamagelevelsoftrade, investment,andemployment.Thisisinnoone’sinterest.
“Mydepartmentisassessingthe implicationsofthisdealforthenorthandfor theall-Irelandeconomy.Moredetailandclarity on anumberofpointswillbe requiredbefore afullassessmentcanbecompleted.
“Iamconveningmytariffworkinggroup inorderto receiveindustryfeedbackandIwill continuetoworkwiththeIrishandBritish
governmentstoensurethebestoutcomefor localbusinessesandworkers.”
MarkO’Connell,thechairmanofinward advisoryinvestmentfirmOCOGlobal,summed upthedealas“alop-sidedemergencybrake compromisethataverts atradewarbutleaves EuropeandparticularlyIrelandandNorthern Irelandworseoffthanbefore”.
“MostEUexporterswillfacemuchstiffer costsintheirlargestexternalmarketand Europehasmadeothercommitmentsfor internationalharmonypurposes.
“ForNorther nIreland,theagreementstrips awaysomeofthecommercialadvantageof itsuniquepost-Brexitstatus,whileexposing businessestothesameelevatedtradebarriers facedbyEUexporters.
“Thelonger-termoutlookdependson whetherNorther nIrelandandtheRepublic cansecurecarve-outsorsupports,orwhether supplychainsandinvestmentwill reroute tomanage anewtariffenvironment— somethingthathasyettobeworkedout.”
Hesaidthereappearedtobe“afew relative advantages”forNIinbenefitingfrom a10% rate,“providedtheymeetstrictlydefinedrules oforigin”.
“Practically,theadvantagesareconditional andlimitedandcouldbeexpectedtochange. ManygoodsproducedinNorther nIrelanduse cross-bordersupplychainsandmaynotqualify asUKorigin,thusforfeitingthelowertariff.”
Withinfoodanddrink,Norther nIreland’s dairyproductsanditsIrishwhiskeycould benefitasbothwhiskeyfromtheislandof Ireland,andbutter,are popularproductsin theUS.
Intheory,thatcouldmean aNorthern IrelandproducerlikeDaleFarmcanenjoyan advantageof alowertariffcomparedtoa RepublicofIrelandproducersuchasOrnua, makerofKerrygoldbutter.Butanyadvantage wouldbestrippedawayintheeventofthose productsbeingsubjectto azero/zerodeal.
Askedifithadidentifiedanycommercial advantage,DaleFarmsaid:“Wedonot commentonmattersofclient/commercial confidentiality.”
ConorMulvihill, adirectorofDairyIndustry Ireland,saidthe15%wasnon-stackable, whichmeantit replacedanyprevioustariffs ratherthanaddingtothem.
“Forourkeydairysector,whichexportsover 90%ofitsoutput,alltariffsareregrettable. However,theconfirmationthatEUexports willnowbesubjectto asingle15%tariff rate,withnoadditionalstackedduties,is particularlyimportantforIrishdairyproducts suchasbutter,whichhadfaced acombined tariffburdenofover25%sinceApril.”
Butheadded:“Weremainconcernedabout thebroaderimplicationsofanytariffborderon theislandofIreland.
“Thedairyindustryoperatesonanall-island basis,withintegratedsupplychainsand cross-bordertradeinrawmilk,ingredients, andfinishedproducts.Anydivergenceintariff treatment betweenNorther nIrelandandtheRepublic ofIrelandcouldintroducecomplexity,cost,and uncertaintyforprocessorsandfarmersalike.”
Whiskeyisanotherproductwherean advantagecouldexistfortheNorthern Irelandmadeproduct,thoughdistillerswerenot
pouringthemselves acelebratorydramjustyet.
JohnKelly,chiefexecutiveofMcConnell’s DistilleryinBelfast,said:‘Wehavealways maintainedthatourpreferenceisfornotariff tradewithourAmericanpartnersandwhile manypeoplehavewelcomedhavingcertainty overfuturetariffs,thereisstillthepossibilityof furtherdiscussionsspecificallyonalcohol,soin oursectorthatuncertaintystill remains.
“WewillstayengagedwiththeIrish WhiskeyAssociationandSpiritsEurope asthissituationevolves.Ourhopeisthat onalcoholicspirits amutuallybeneficial agreementis reachedwhichseesthe removal oftariffs.TheIrishwhiskeymarkethasseen significantgrowthintheAmericanmarket overthelast25yearsandtariffshavethe potentialtodisruptthatgrowth.“However, McConnell’swhiskyisontheshelvesinmore
than40countriesincludingtheUSandwewill continuetofocusongrowingthosemarkets.”
DavidBoyd-Armstrong,theco-founderof ShortcrossDistillery,whichproducesginand whiskey,saidtherewas aperceptionthat Norther nIreland’swhiskeyproducerswere betteroff.
“Attheminute,EUarepushingforzero forzerotariffonspirits,andthathasn’tbeen confirmedthatthat’sactuallythecase,sowe couldactuallybeworseoffratherthanbetter off.
“Untilwegetsightofthat,whichmaynot beuntilThursdayorevenFriday,wecan’tgive aproperanswer.”
PaulMacFlynn,directorattheNevin EconomicResearchInstitute,saiditwasto bewelcomedthatNIwouldbeavoidingthe damageofany reciprocaltariffsimposedby
WhatwillnewEU-UStariffsmean fortheIrishwhiskeyindustry?
theEUagainsttheUSin atradewar.
Butheaddedthat“morebroadly,forthe RepublicofIreland,thedealisn’tthatgreat”.
“Whilethepossibilityof30%tariffshas beenavoided,thedealstill representsa deteriorationonthestatusquo,whichwill bequitehardtoswallow.Westilldon’t knowexactlywhattheoutcomewillbefor pharmaceuticals,whicharesoimportantto theRepublic’stradewiththeUS.TheEUsay theyhaveanassuranceof a15%cap,butthat doesn’texactlyseemwatertight.
And,tome,that’sthemainworry. Yes, adealhasbeensigned,butunlikea comprehensivetradedealthat requires congressionalapproval,thisisallbasedDonald Trumpkeepingtohisword.I’mnotsurethat willprovidethelevelofassurancethatpeople hopeitwill.” ■
JuiceJarplans to squeeze into eastBelfast ABelfast-basedchainofjuiceand smoothieshopsissettoopenin theeastofthecityinthecoming weeks.
TheJuiceJarwillsetupinBallyhackamore, whilethecompanywillalsosoonlaunch anew storeinDublin.ItssecondlocationinDublin willopenuponAungierStreet,closetoits othersiteonDawsonStreet.
SamShephard,JuiceJarfounder,saidthe company’srapidgrowthwasbeingpoweredby customerdemand.
“We’veseensuccessthroughthedoors. We wouldn’tgrowifwedidn’tfeelthere wereenoughpeopleinterestedinwhatwe’re doing,”hesaid.
MrShephardaddedthataneastBelfast outlethadbeensoughtbyfansofthebrand.
“Weran atextboxonourwebsitethat allowedpeopleto requestwherewegonext, andeastBelfastcameoutontop.
“Wewerejustwaitingfortherightunit tocomeup. Ican’tsayexactlywhereatthe moment,butI’msureanyonewhohastheir headscrewedoncouldprobablyfigureitout.”
MrShephardwasdismissiveofany suggestionthatBallyhackamorehaddeclined inpopularityorappealaftertwowell-known restaurantsclosed,sayingtherewashigh demandforspaceinthedistrict.
“Ithinkyou’regoingtoseeustakethelead andtwoorthreeothersfollowingonbehind.I certainlyheardsomebignamesandI’vegota lotoffriendsinhospitalitywhoareinterested inthearea.
“So,allof asudden,itmightgofrom abit of adownerto abigupagain.
“Ithinkthat’showhospitalityworks;you haveolderincumbentsthatgetmovedon every10years.Hopefullythere’sanewwave ofstuffthat’sgoingtobringsomeenthusiasm tothearea.”
TheJuiceJarhasinvestedheavilyin
Norther nIreland,withfivelocations,including fourinBelfast,butMrShephardbelieves businessesgetbettervalueinEnglandandthe Republic.
Hesaid:“InNorther nIreland,wehave some realheadwindsagainstus. To giveyou examples,wepayfull-whackratesinNorthern Irelandforhospitality,whereasinEnglandI have a75%rates reduction.
“Insouther nIreland,myratesonDawson Street,oneofthemostcentralhigh-endstreets inDublin,areliterally10%ofwhattheyarein Belfast.
“You’vegotto remember,thesearehuge numbers.Forus,Belfastcitycentreratesare £30,000 ayear.Youdon’treallyget alotfor yourrates,youhavetopayyourbins,your
waterandeverythingelse.
“Everyhospitalityvenueisn’tgoingtoclose, though Ithinkitdoesstarttofavour really bigconglomerates.Conversely,it’salmost skewedagainstsmallbusinesses,whichisnot reallywhatyouwant,especiallyinareaslike Ballyhackamore,whichshouldbefullofsmall independents.”
MrShephardattributesthegrowth ininterestinhealthyfoodstochanged generationalattitudestowellbeing.
“ComingoutofCovid,peoplearetaking theirhealthseriously.Wewereallawareofour ownhealthandhowwecandobetter.
“Gen Zisallaboutauthenticityandseeing thingsbeingmadeinfrontofthem,andthat’s whatwedo.” ■
JuiceJarfounder SamShephard
JamesMcNaney
Oasis concertsspark spendingsurge inDublin TwoOasissuper-gigsinCrokeParkin Dublinproduced asurgeinspending byfans.
Transactionsbeforeand aftertheGallagher brothersperformedlastmonthjumpedtolevels lastseenwhen TaylorSwiftplayedatthe Aviva StadiuminJunelastyear
DigitalbankRevolut,whichclaimstohave threemillioncustomersinIreland,has reported a 9%jumpinspendingbyitscustomersinDublin comparedtothepreviousweekend.
Evenashotelpricesshotupandcity-centre businesseslookedtocashin,Oasisfans continuedtospend.
Theyneedednobetterexcusetoputtheir handintheirpockets.Saturdaywasthefirst timeinmorethan16yearsthatOasishad performedinIrelandsinceplayingSlanein2009.
Ithasbeendubbed a“supersonic”surgein consumerspendingovertheweekendasthe Manchester-bornbrotherssoldoutCrokePark. Revolutsaidthetwogigswerealwayslikely tospark aspendingspreeacrossthecapital,
particularlygiventheGallagherbrothers’proud rootsinMayoandMeath,alongwiththeir immenseglobalpopularity
Thetotalnumberoftransactions rosebymore than 8%.
ThebigbeneficiarieswereDublinbars,cafes, restaurantsandnightclubs,whichhad a16% rise inincomeovertheweekendversusthe previousone.
Anticipationhadbeenbuildingacrossthe capital,withapop-upstoreonStStephen’s Greensettingthetonebyopeningearlyinthe month,sendingfansscramblingforsought-after merch.
OverthefirsttwoweekendsinAugust, merchandisestoresinDublin recordedhundreds ofthousandsofeuroinrevenuesafterlengthy queuesoffans.
Thepop-upstorehassinceannounced extendeddates
Revolutsaidspendingonpublic transportationwasdown9%acrossthe restof Irelandbut rosebymorethan120%inDublinas
Oasisfansdescendedonthecapital. Taxidrivers alsobenefitedfromtheconcerts,with a15% upliftin revenueslastweekend.
Forthosewhomissedoutontickets,there wasstill apartyatmosphereacrossthecounty, withDublinsalesofstore-boughtbeer,wineand liquorrisingbyover athird lastweekcompared withthepreviousone.
Youngeradultswerethebigspenders aspeoplebetweentheagesof25and34 outspentfansintheir40sandearly-50s.Those betweentheagesof35and44followed closest,suggestingthattherewasstillanolder generationofOasisfansoutandaboutinDublin forthetwoconcerts.
Dublin restaurants,pubsandlicensedstores alsoenjoyeda boostinalcoholandcigarette sales.
Revolutsaiditsbusinesscustomers recorded anincreasein revenues,withthoseinthefood, beveragesortobaccoindustriesexperiencing a2%upliftwhencomparedwiththeprevious weekend. ■
LiamGallagheronstageattheir OasisLive25ConcertatCrokePark
Twosmokyrecipes to roundout thehot summer There’s littleelseascapableofturning ahumblecutofmeat orvegetableintosomethingspecialthancookingovercharcoal. JohnMulgrew looksattworecipesworthfiringthegrillupfor SMOKEDBEEFCHEEKAND TOMATO SAUCE
I’darguethereare fewbovinecutsassublime ascheekswhentreatedto along,slowcook. It’samagicalpieceoftheanimal.Acutely tough,butbecomingthemostluxuriousand palate-coatingthingafterhoursintheoven, breakingdownallthatcollagenintosomething spectacular.
Andtheyalsoworkextremelywellwhen treatedto afewhourssmokedovercharcoal–akintocooking asmallerbrisket. Youcanalso dothisin alowovenataround140C,butyou won’tgetthatbeautiful,andhugelysatisfying, deep,richpinkandpurplesmokeringthat onlycookingovercharcoalwillcreate.
Thisis asimple recipe,butitjusttakestime.
Getyourbeefcheeks.Onewilldothreeor fourpeople,butifyou’reputtinginthetime, thenmaybecooktwo.
Cutoffanyexcessfatandsilverskin,then coatwellwith adryrub. Acombinationof blackpepper,smokedpaprika,salt,sugar,
cuminandcorianderworkswell.
Getyourcoalson,andmovetoonesideof yourbarbecue,thenplaceyourcheeksonthe opposite,indirectside.Closeyourventsatleast halfwayandcookat140C-150Cforaround threetofourhours.Justkeepaneyeandmake suretheyaren’tdryingout.
Afterthat,stickyourcheeksin ametal ovendishwith acoupleofcansofchopped tomatoes, agoodglugofwine,beefstock, Worcestershiresauceandmustard.Cover tightlywithfoil,thenplacebackontothegrill
foranotheranhourortwo.Again,anoven willworkforthis.
Removeandmakeyoursauce.Thisissimply pouringoffyourtomatocookingliquidintoa potandblitzing.Checktheseasoningandadd moreifneeded.Finishoffwithsomedouble cream.
To serve,sliceyourbeefcheeksintohalf centimetreslicesandplateupontopofyour sauce,alongside adrizzleofgoodoliveoil,and alightgratingofparmesanforaddedumami andsodium.
Smokedbeefcheeks
Smokedbeefcheekswithtomatosauce
TOSTADASWITHSMOKED CHICKEN,ROASTEDGARLICAND GRILLEDVEGETABLES
Tacos reallyshouldplay abiggerpartinour diethere.Inmanyways,whetheryou’rea puristorotherwise,theyaretheperfectfood–anidealwayofconsumingsimpleproteinand vegetables.
Tostadasareanothervariation,utilisingcorn tortillas,butfryingbrieflyinsomeoilorbeef fatuntilgoldandcrisp,beforebeingtopped withwhateveryouwish.
Goodlucktryingtofindpropercorn tortillasfromthebig,orin-house,brandsin thesupermarkets.Theyareelusive,forsome oddreason.Andcheckthelabels. Tescosells aproductlabelled‘cor nwraps’which,infact, containsmoretraditionalwheatflourthan corn.
Thebestoptionistobuymasaandmake yourown,orpickupsomeofthegood Mexicanbrands.Butifyou’regoingdownthe
pre-made route,thenPicadofromDublinwork well,especiallyfortostadasastheyaredrier thanthoseyou’dmakeathome.
Avarietyoftoppingswillwork,butthis utilisesaffordablebone-inchickenthighs,and ensuresyougetplentyofvegetablesintoyour diet.
Startwith aspicemix.Onthisoccasion IwentforplentyofOldBayseasoning. Itcontainslotsofbalancedspiceandis somethingof acheatcodeinthekitchen.Add inplentyofsmokedpaprika,salt,pepper,and atouchofsugar.
Seasonyourchickenheavily,andany vegetables. Iusepeppers,sweetcorn,and courgette.Drizzlein alittleoilbeforeadding someofyourrub.
Also,grab awholebulbofgarlicandwrap tightlyintinfoilwith alittleoilandseasoning. Thiswillsithappilyatthebackofyourgrilland slowly roastandcaramelise.
Althoughentirelyoptional,leekswork
extremelywellonthegrill. Taketwoleeks andcutinhalf.Brushwithbutterandseason, beforeadding adashoflimejuiceandthe zestof awholelime. Wrapintinfoiland placeofftothesideofyourcoals.Bythetime everythingelseisdone,theseshouldbesoft andunctuous.
Placeyourvegetablesonto ahotgrilltoget somecolour,andonceyougetyourdesired charring,setofftothesideandstickonyour chicken.
Cookwiththelidonandtur neveryfew minutesuntilyouhavesomecolourandthe meatisfullycooked.Using aprobeisideal. Removeyourmeatandvegetables,andtake thechickenmeatfromthebones.Chopyour peppersandcourgette,andseasonwitholive oiland alittlevinegar.
Justbeforeserving,frytortillasinsomeoil orbeeffat –eachshouldonlytakeabout30 secondsto aminute.
Servewithyourchickenandvegetables atop,alongsidesomemayonnaisespikedwith limejuiceandlimezest,andsqueezeonyour roastedgarlicdirectlyfromthebulb. Topwith shop-boughtcrispyshallots. ■
Smokedchickentostada withvegetables
‘We want to double thesize ofourbusiness inNI’ SyscoIrelandchief MarkLee outlinesambitious expansionplansforthefirm,following£23m investmentina newNuttsCornerfacility.
Hespeaksto MargaretCanning SyscoIrelandhashugepotentialfor growthinNorther nIreland,saysits chiefexecutiveMarkLee.
Thecompany,partofUSgiantSysco, enteredtheIrelandmarketin2009withthe purchaseofPallasFoods.
Threeyearslater,itcrossedtheborderwhen itacquiredCrossgarFoodService.
Ithasoperatedheresincethatacquisition from apremisesatHillhallRoadinLisburn, butallofthatischangingfollowing a£23m investmentinnewpremisesandwarehousing onNuttsCornerRoad.
Thesite,whichMarksaysmultipliesitspallet spacefrom2,000inLisbur nto10,000,will play ahuge roleinachievingitsaims.
SyscoIreland’swebsitedescribesitas Ireland’sbiggestfoodcompany,witharound 1,700staffand10facilities.
SyscoFoodsIreland’slatestaccountsforJuly 2,2023toJune29,2024,showthatitmadea profitbefore taxof€23.8m,whichwasdown 23%fromjustover€29mtheyearbefore. Turnoverincreasedfrom€574.8mto€603.2m
AtSyscoFoodsNILtdoverthesameperiod, revenueincreasedfrom£82.2mto£89.3m, whilepre-taxprofitswere£8.9m,upfrom £3.2m.
InNorther nIreland,ithas250staff,with
another50joininginNuttsCornertoserveits growth.
“Wehaveabouthalfthemarketshare thatwehaveintheRepublic,sothere’shuge potentialforgrowth,”Marksays.
It’snowphasingthefulltransferof operationsfromLisbur ntoNuttsCorner.Itwas firstplannedforearly2025,butnowhasa targetoflateSeptember.
“Fundamentally,theambitionistodouble thesizeofthebusinessinNorther nIreland,” hesays.
Hejoinedthebusinessin2018following 20yearsinjobsfromcorporatesponsorship tocatering.Atthatpoint,everythingthatwas availableforcustomersinthesouthwasalso availabletothosenorthoftheborder.But therewasnospacetostockit.
“There’ssignificantlimitationsinLisbur nin thebreadthoftherangeandmoreimportantly thebreadthofNIvendor-supplierrangethat wecouldcarry.Ithinkthepathwasobvious thatifweweregoingtodoublethesizeofthe business,thenweneededtoinvestin afacility thatwillallowustobroadenourrange.”
Now,insteadof relyingontrucks transportingproductfromDublinforittobe decantedthenpackedagainanddriventothe customerfromLisburn,everythingwillbedone
fromNuttsCorner.
Hesaysthecompanyhasbetween1,500 and1,600customersinNI,whereitmakes around5,000deliveries aweek,comparedto 30,000ontheislandas awhole.
“OurcustomersinNIareprimarilywhatwe call‘street’customers,sothat’sindependents likecoffeechains, restaurantsandhotels,but wealsodosomeworkwithgovernmentunder contracts.”
Headdsthatstreetcustomersare “absolutely”wherethescopeisforgrowthin future.
“Overthelastthreeyears,wehavedelivered double-digittop-linegrowthinNI.Whatgives meconfidenceisthatwedidthatoutofa
facilitythatwassub-optimal.”
Hesayschangesarealwaysmadewith customersinmind,suchas abusychefwho onlygetstoorderthefollowingday’sfood afterthenight’slastmealisserved. Anew serviceinurbancentreswillallowcustomersto orderupuntilmidnightfordeliverybetween 5.30amand9am,with aseconddeliveryif neededaround2.30pm.
Mostofits‘street’customersinNIare aroundBelfast,“butwearereallyacrossevery bladeofgrassinNI”,Marksays.
“Wehavecapacitytoprettymuchtur nup ineverytownorvillageeverydayoftheweek ifthecustomerneedsit.It’saverycompetitive environmentandthat’swhythechallenge
isforeveristotrytocreatevalueforthe customerbeyondpriceandproduct.”
Inflationhasbeen amajorproblemforboth foodservicecompaniesandtheirclients.
“The realityistherehasbeensignificant amountofinflationacrosskeycategories acrossthelastnumberofyears.Wherethe opportunityistomitigate,wedothat.
“It’sinproteinanddairy,anybodywho’s eatingoutonthisislandhasseenhowthe pricepointshavechanged,particularlyonbeef.
“That’swherepartoftheworkwedoin developmentkitchen,weintroduceyouto beefcutthatmaybe requires abitmoreeffort ortimebutmaybe acrediblealternative.”
Itsown-brandrange –underthenames
‘essentials,’‘classic’and‘premium’ –offer cheaperalternatives.Customerswincingfrom thehugeincreasesinthecostofcoffeeare offeredthecompany’sownbrand,Sotavo.
ThenewNuttsCornersiteincludesa developmentkitchen,ledbychefKirkGreer,a formerexecutivechefatBelfast’sEuropaHotel.
It’swherecustomersareinvitedtolearn aboutinnovationsincertainrangesandeach typeofrangehas aproductspecialist –he givestheexampleofjuicecompanyJuiceJar Ltdworkingcloselywith aproduceexpert.
Customerswillalsobeabletolear nabout innovationssuchas acheapercutofbeef, often acutwhich requiresslow-cooking.
“I’m abigfanofbeefcheek,it’sagreat
>
MarkLee
proposition,butitneeds alittlebitmorework and alittlebitmore time.”
MarksaysBrexitandthe resultant requirementsforshippingfoodfromBritainto theislandofIreland“created atremendous amountofadmin”.
“Weinvested ahugeamountoftimein gettingaheadwhatweexpected,butwhat subsequentlyshowedupwasthatandmore.
“Itdidintroduce adistractiontoour businessanditdidmeancertainsupplierswe wantedtoworkwithdidn’twanttoworkwith us. We hadtocontractsomeelementsofour range.
“Thisnewfacilitymeanswecan rowback onthattransactionbecausewecanstockitall locally.”
Hecitestheexampleofproductsfromsister companyBrakesinBritain.
“OurrangeofBrakes-brandproductswent from1,500to1,000simplybecauseofthe demandsofBrexitwithhealthcertification.
“Wehavesince reinstatedthemajority
ofthatproductandorsourceditlocally.We gotthere. We survived.It’slikeBrexit.It’slike Covid.”
Hethinksthecontinued resilienceof hospitalitythroughallthosecrisesbodes wellforthefuture.“Hospitalityhasseena lotofheadwinds,everythingfrom Vat,rates andinflation,yettheindustrycontinuesto innovate,itcontinuestoprogressandthat wouldgiveme alotofconfidencein relation tothegrowthambitionthatwehaveinthis territory.”
MarkismarriedtoSineadandlivesinDublin withtheirchildren,Ellie(16)and14-year-old Archie.
He’soriginallyfromCavantownand attendedStPatrick’sCollege,wherehisfather taughtEnglishandarts,andlaterbecame principal.
“Thankfully Iwasawaybythen,asbeing thesonof ateacherwasinterestingenough.”
Inhissparetime,heenjoysgolf,butdidn’t makeittoTheOpenatPortrushlastmonth,
eventhoughSyscowastheprimaryfood supplierintotheon-sitehospitality.
Musicisanotherhobby.“Iusedtobethe drummerin abandincollege.Theywere calledNvus,and Iwasalsothesingerina bandinsecondaryschool.
“Thebestgigoflast12monthswasPearl JaminMarlayPark.I’m arocker.”
He’llbehopingfor alessthan rockytimein businessasthecompanyopensthenewsite.
“Theconsumersentimentfiguressaythat nothinghaschangedinthenorthcoming outoflastyearintothisyear,whichisgood news.
“Butinthesouth,consumersentimenthas droppedoffalittle,butnotmaterially.That meansbusinesseslikeushavetoworkharder.
“Butagainstthebackgroundof adrop-off insentiment,westillopened1,700new customeraccountsinthelastsixmonths.
“There’splentyofopportunityinthe industry,butyouhavetogetoutandget afterit.”
MarkLee
Belfast’s Duke of York pub plans changestoattract ‘oldercrowd ofpeople’ back to city centre JohnMulgrew speaksto WillieJack aboutearly planswhichcouldsee anewextensionand‘quiet’pub developedbesidetheDukeof YorkinBelfastcitycentre
OneofNorther nIreland’smost famouspubscouldgetan extensionwhichwouldbe developedinto a“quietandmusic-free” bar.
Dukeof Yorkowner WillieJacksaidwhileit maybe ayearortwobeforeanydetailedplans areconfirmed,thepub –undertheworking titleoftheLittleDuke –couldbedeveloped asanadditiontothepopularspotinBelfast’s CathedralQuarter.
Thatmayseethepubexpandedinto neighbouringHillStreet,withthechangeof useofanofficebuildingonthegroundfloor.
MrJackaddedthatwillinitiallymeannew disabledaccesstoiletsbeingdeveloped,and planshavebeensubmittedtotur nthatspace into abarasanextensionoftheDukeof York.
Heexplainedthatwhenthepubis
developed,itwillnotbe alate-nightvenue. ItwillbeTV-freeandaimtoattractan“older crowdofpeople”backtothecitycentre, especiallyduringtheweek,andwon’tjust focusonbusyweekendperiods.
“Wearen’tsureofthedirectionweare taking,orthetimeframe,”MrJack,of CommercialCourtInns,said.
“There’saneedformoretoiletsinthe area…[wewilldothatfirst] regardlessofwhat wedecidewiththepotentialLittleDuke.
“Wedon’tneedanymorelate-nightvenues, wewillhaveanoldercrowdofpeople. We aretryingtoget alotmoreolderpeopleback intopublictransporttocomebackintothecity centre.Therewillbenomusicorthingslike that.Itwillbegearedtowardspeoplewanting morecomfort.”
MrJacksaidhe’salsoplanningtodevelop
theofficebuildinginto anew,moder nopenplanscheme,focusedonbringing“creative people”intothecitycentre.
Thatcouldseetheschemedeveloped alongsidesomeofthecity’stopcreativefirms.
Lastyear,MrJacksaidhefearedthe CathedralQuarterwasbecoming“another TempleBar”,andannouncedhispubswould adopt amidnightclose,ratherthanopening later.
“It’sverybusyonSaturdayandquieter duringtheweek. We couldlookatsomething wherewecouldtrytoencouragepeopleto comeout,notjustonSaturday.Weare not goingtorushintothings,”hesaid.
MrJackalsoownsneighbouringpubssuch astheDarkHorseandHarpBar,theFriendat Handwhiskeyshopandmuseum,aswellas severalbuildingsinandaroundtheHillStreet area.
Earlierthisyear,hemetKingCharlesand QueenCamilladuringtheirunannouncedvisit toBelfast. ■
TheDukeofYorkinBelfastcitycentre
Howdidyougetstartedinthe industry?
Witnessingmygrandmother’slengthy strugglewithseverepsoriasis,and thesignificanteffectsteroidswere takingonherhealth,motivatedme tocreate abettersolution, asteroidfreeformulation. Istartedbycrafting variousformulations,which Icarefully testedwithinmynetworkinNorthern Ireland,andthendeveloped aproof ofconceptwhilststudyingformyPhD inBiochemistryatQueen’sUniversity Belfast. IlaunchedGranlabin2024with thesupportofBelfastCityCouncil’sGoFor Itentrepreneurshipprogrammeandwas ableto refinemybusinessplan,securevalue mentorship,andconnectwithvariousfunding partners,includingInvestNIandInnovate UK.I’mgratefulforthoseearlymentorsand supporterswhogavemetheconfidenceand momentumtogetofftheground.
Typically,whoareyourclientsor customers?
OFTHE Entrepreneur Month Granlab’scustomersareindividualswith chronicskinconditionssuchaspsoriasisand eczema –orskinpronetoinflammationand flakiness –whoareoftenfacedwithhaving verylimitedoptionsthataddresstheirneeds without relyingonsteroids.AtGranlab,we arefocusingonindividualswhoareseeking steroid-freetreatments;ourproductsare designedtobecolour-inclusiveorsuitablefor allskintoneswhilstbeinggentle,effective,and suitableforlong-termusetonotonlycalmthe fireintheirskinbutalsokeepflare-upsatbay.
Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?
Absolutely.Ilovetheintersectionofscience, medicine,andempathy,whichhasbeen
drivenbymydeeplypersonalmissiontohelp individualswhosufferfrompsoriasis,likemy grandmother.Inturn,thatmissiongivesmy workatGranlab aprofoundmeaning. Ialsothriveinbuildingcommunity,mentoring others,andadvocatingfordiversityand inclusivity,especiallythroughnetworksthat championwomeninSTEM.Operatingwithin thesecirclescontinuestofuelmypassionfor inclusiveleadership,whereindiversevoicesare valued.
Whatisthemostdifficultpartofyourjob?
Oneofthemostdifficultpartsofthejobhas beenbridgingthegapbetweenacademic researchandtheactual realitiesof regulatory approval,large-scalemanufacturing,and commercialisation.Eachstagebringsitsown challenges,fromnavigatingclinicaltrials, patents,andformulationscale-up,tosecuring thenecessaryfunding,andbuilding ascientific team.Inparticular,fundraisingandbuildinga teamhave required relentlessfocus, resilience, andperseverance,especiallywithin astartup ecosystem.
Whatarethechallengesfacingyoursector andtheeconomyingeneral?
Therehavebeenseveralkeychallengesalong theway.Navigatingthe regulatorylandscape hasattimesbeentesting –securingmedical classification,navigatingandmanagingthe approvalsprocesswithintheUK,EUandUS, whileprotectingourintellectualproperty hasbeencomplex. Transitioningfroma lab-basedformulationto acommercially viableproductionhas requiredsignificant investment,ashasthemovementto amore robustoperationalinfrastructure.Staffing andexpertisehavealwaysbeen akeyfocus, particularlywith regardsto recruitingspecialist R&D,clinicaltrial,formulation,and regulatory professionals.
Anotherongoingchallengeisensuring accessandequity,deliveringeffective, affordable,andculturallyinclusiveproducts, whilstfulfillingoursocialmission.Jugglingcost withquality,andmaintainingourcommitment tounderservedcommunitiestakescontinuous effort,yetit’sattheforefrontofGranlab’s deep-rootedpurposeandgoals. ■
DrPragyaSharma Granlab
Motoring PatBurns
Review: Mazda’s sevenseaterstars in TourdeFrance Withallthemediacoverageonelectricvehiclesatthe moment,youcouldbeforgivenforthinkingthatdiesels havehadtheirday,buttheyarestillpopular,especially forlargervehicles,writes PatBurns
Youonlyhaveto lookatthenumber ofAudiQ7sonNorthernIreland roadstoseethereisa strongmarket forsevenseaterdiesel-enginedload luggers
Mazdahasnowgone straighttothetop ofthepopswithitsallnewsevenseater CX-80.Thisrangetoppingmodelispowered byanallnew3.3litreturbodieselengine, matchedto asilkysmootheightspeed automatictransmissionthatcombineseffortless performance,tonsoftorqueandimpressive economy UlsterBusiness tookoneonholiday for arundownthroughFrancetoBordeaux
Withsevenonboard, theCX-80tookthe autoroutesinitsstride,whilestopsalongthe wayattheSommeandLeMansshowedhow easythispeoplecarrieristo manoeuvre on narrow roadsandvillagesthankstoitsparking camerasanddriveraids.
Thisyear,insteadofovernightinginthe usualcharacterlessNovotelandMercure hotels,westayedinprivatelyownedchateaux Manyofthemnowhavetheirownwebsite andfor astayintheSommewestayedatthe scrupulouslycleanChateaudesMarronniers inBaizieux.Thechateauwasusedbythe AustralianarmyduringtheFirst World War, andstillhassomebulletholestoproveit.The owners simplycouldn’tdoenoughforus. Ifyoulikemotorracing, astopoveratLe Mansanditsmuseumisalwaysworth avisit andwecan recommendtheidyllicandlaidback ChateaudeVaux.
BackontheautoroutesandtheCX-80’s superiorsafetyperformanceiscomplemented byitscomfort,convenience,andversatility, makingit astandoutintheseven-seatSUV segment.BuiltinJapan,thisflagshipmodel embodiesMazda’sdesignandengineering
excellence.Itsexceptionalsafetyratings reflect Mazda’sdedicationtocustomersafety.A five-starEuroNCAPsafetyratingissupported byMazda’sSkyactivMulti-SolutionScalable Architecture,addingtothedrivingexperience with afront-engine, rear-wheel-drivelayoutand rear-biasedall-wheeldrive. Withthree rowsof seating,theCX-80isthemostspaciousvehicle inMazda’sEuropeanrange,offeringcomfort, versatility,advancedtechnology,anddriving performance.
TheCX-80rangeispoweredbythesame enginesastheMazdaCX-60,thereisa choiceof aplug-inhybrid -whichcombines a Skyactiv-G2.5-litrefour-cylinderpetrolengine with a129kWelectricmotorand a17.8kWh high-capacitybattery –ortheadvancedin-line six-cylinder254ps3.3-litree-Skyactiv Ddiesel engine.
TheCX-80seesthewheelbasegrowby 250mmcomparedtotheCX-60todeliverthe spaceneededfor apracticalthree-rowinterior andtheCX-80is26mmtallerthantheCX-60 too.However,beingthesamewidth,theCX80 retainsthefamiliarstylingandprofileofits smallersibling.
Offeredacrossfivehighlyspecifiedgrades:
MazdaCX-80
Exclusive-Line,Homura, Takumi,HomuraPlus andTakumiPlusthereare optionpacksto allowcustomerstotailortheirseatlayoutsand equipment. Withmaximumcustomerchoice inmindtherangeisofferedwith achoiceof threemiddle rowconfigurations: athree-person benchseat,twocaptain’sseatswitha walkthroughspaceortwocaptain’sseatswitha fixedcentreconsole.Theseven-seatlayoutwith themiddle row-benchwillbestandard andis expectedtobethebiggestsellerhereofcourse.
ThankstotheCX-80’sincreasedwheelbase, shoulder room,headroom,hippointspacing andfronttosecond rowcoupledistance measurementshaveallincreasedcomparedto theCX-60.NewtoMazdahighlightsinclude Alexain-carvoicecontrolofmusic,airconditioning,navigation andapps.
Mazda’ssafetyphilosophy,‘MazdaProactive Safety’,theCX-80provides acomfortable drivingenvironmentwithgreatall round visibility
Thestraight-six,3.3litree-Skyactiv D254 PS reallyis asuperbpiece ofengineeringand reallyshoneonthetripdownthroughFrance. Despiteitssizeandbeingfullyloaded,theCX80can reach60mphinjustovereightseconds
andhas atopspeedof136mph. Averagefuel consumptionwasanequallyimpressive50mpg Ifyou’reintotowing,theCX-80’scapacityis a hefty2,500kg.
Inside,thedriver’scockpitareafeaturesthree maininstrumentdisplays: afullTFT-LCDdriver’s instrumentcluster,a12.3-inchinfotainment centredisplayand alargewindowActive DrivingDisplay
TheCX-80isequippedwithMazda’s360 degreeviewmonitorwithsee-throughview technologywhichwasinvaluableinFrance, makingnavigatingcitystreetsandnarrow roadslessstressful.
Itallowsthedrivertoseethedirectionof travelandtherangeofobstaclestheymight possibly strikewhenfullyturningthesteering wheel,asiftheimagewereseenfrominside thevehicle.Thishelpstoidentifyobjectsthe vehiclemightcomeintocontactwithwhen startingoff orslowingdownintightspaces, suchasparkinglotsornarrowalleys.
AswevisitedFranceinthemiddleof a40C heatwave,theCX-80thankfullyisequipped, asstandard,withairconditioningventsfor thethirdrowseats.Rearseatair-conditioning controlsallowpassengersinthesecondrow
tosettheirdesiredtemperature,adjusttheair outletsandcontrolairflowvolume.Rearseat air-conditioningcanalsobesetfromthefront climatecontrolpanel.
EachoftheCX-80’sthreeseating rowsis equippedwithUSB-Cports.OnallCX-80 versions,thecentreconsoleisfittedwith a15 Wwirelesssmartphonecharger,and a150 W powersupplyatthe rearoftheconsole.150 W powercanbesuppliedwhilstdriving,andmay beused,forinstance,tochargethebattery ofanelectricbicycle.Theloadspaceisfurther equippedwith a12VDCpoweroutlet
Themanufacturer recentlyannouncedthat allnewMazdas registeredfromSeptember 2025willbenefitfrom afullsix-year manufacturerwarranty,whilethemileagelimit risesfromthecurrent60,000milesto100,000 miles.
Thesix-year100,000-milewarrantysimply requiresthecartobeservicedwithinthe manufacturerprescribedserviceprogramme, mileageandtimeparameters–12,500-miles or12-monthsonthemajorityofcars,thenew Mazdawarrantywillbenefitfleetuserswith longertermperiodsandhighmileageusage. PricesfortheCX-80startfrom£50,080. ■
MOTORI
MazdaCX-80
NewMicragoesfullEV Thenewsixth-generationNissan Micrahasjustgoneonsaleandis onlyavailableasanEV.
ThenewMicrastaystruetoitspredecessors as astylishandunpretentiouscar, whichhas underpinneditspopularityas acompactcar acrossfivegenerationsandmorethan40 years.
Itsarrivalsignalsthenextmajorstepin Nissan’sproductoffensiveinEurope,where thecompanywillintroducefournewfully electricmodelsby2027aspartofitspush towardselectrification.Theseincludethe all-newMicra,followedbytheLeaf,Juke,and anA-Segmentmodel,aswellastheupgraded thirdgenerationofNissan’suniquee-Power technology –toberolledoutonthebestsellingNissanQashqai.
AllnewMicragradeswillcomewith18-inch wheels,withthreedifferentoptionsdepending ongrade.Thatlargewheeldimension, combiningwiththedarkwheelarchtrim, contributestothenewMicra’smuchstronger stanceonthe road.
Theheadlampsgreetthedriver,protruding slightlyfromthebonnetupfromthe numberplatetothehood.Onunlockingthe car,thelightsperform ashort“welcomewink” wherethefrontlightspulsefromlefttoright andthenrighttoleft.Atthe rear,thetaillamps aredefinedby asimplebutornateLEDlight design –boastingcircularlightingelements.
Fromthecorneroftheheadlight,whereits lens roundsfromthefronttothesidesurface, thewaistlineofthenewMicraisdefinedby whatitsdesignerscallthe“icecreamscoop”. It’sanindentwhichhasbeenimpressedinto thesurfacefromthefronttothe rearofthe backpassengerdoor.Itisaround1cminwidth andissupposedtobe reminiscentoftheshape ascoopwouldmakeifdraggedacrossthe surfaceofuntouchedicecream –ifyouknow whatuntouchedice-creamis.
When achargeisneeded,newMicra offersexcellentchargingoptions,thankstoits 100kWDCcharger(or80kwonthe40kWh version),quickchargingfrom15%-80%takes just30minutes. To maximisethecharging
efficiency,aheatpumpisstandardonboth batteryoptions,aswellasbatteryheatingand coolingcapability.
Chargingshouldbesimpletomanageas theNissanConnectServicesappallowsthe drivertomaintain remotecontrol:charge level,vehiclelocation,charginghistoryand scheduling,andcabintemperatureadjustment areallaccessibleattheirfingertips.
ThenewMicraintegratesGooglebuiltinservicesthroughtheNissanConnect ‘infotainment’system,withGoogleMaps suppliedasstandard.Thelatteralsoplaysa key rolein routeplanning.Ifthedestination exceedstheavailablerange,thesystem automaticallyidentifieschargingstations alongthe route,consideringthechargelevel, averageconsumption,andtemperature.It canevenpreconditionthebatterytoensure optimalchargingspeed.
Pricingwillstartfrom£22,995forthe 40kWhEngagemodel,whichisfairly competitiveandpositionsMicrawellintheB segmentas afullyconnected,pureEV. ■
Word FROMTHE Wise Thecolumnwithan earforexperience... Howdidyoustartoutinyourbusiness?
ItrainedasanaccountantwithKPMGand workedinDublinandAustraliabefore spendingtenyearswithUlsterBank.I’veheld non-executive rolesacrossdifferentsectors, whichgaveme abroaderperspectiveand helpedmebuild adiverseskillset.In2016,I joinedBeyondBusiness Travelascommercial financedirector,whereIledseveralstrategic growthinitiatives. Ilaterbecamemanaging director,justaheadofouracquisitionbyThe HumanNetworkinOctober2024.
Whathaveyoufoundthemost challengingduringyouryearsinbusiness sofar?
Thepandemicwasundoubtedlythebiggest challenge,butI’mproudofhowwe rebuilt thebusiness,growingbackto a£15m turnoverwithinthreeyears,andnowsitting at£20m.That recoveryspeaksvolumesabout the resilienceofourteam,thestrengthof ourclient relationships,andthevalueofour services.Thesequalitieswillbekeyaswe aimtodoubleinsizeby2028and reachover £100minthenextfiveyears.
Howwouldyoudescribeyour managementstyle?
Approachableandcollaborative. Ibelieve ingivingeveryone avoiceandcreatingan environmentwherepeoplefeelpartofthe journey.It’saboutgettingtherightpeople onboard,makingsurethey’reenergisedand aligned,andthencoachingthemwithclear directiontohelpthemthrive.
ShaunaBurns BeyondBusiness Travel Whatwouldyouchangeifyoucouldgo backanddoitallagain?
I’veworkedacrossdifferentindustriesand pickedup arangeofskillsetswhich Iseeas oneofmygreateststrengths.I’d remindmyself nottosecond-guessthosetransitionsorworry abouthaving aperfectlylinearcareerpath. Eachmovebroughtnewperspectivesand opportunitiestogrow.Inafast-pacedindustry likebusinesstravel,beingadaptableandopen tochangehasproveninvaluable.
Haveyoudoneitallonyourown?
No,definitelynot.EdelDohertyfoundedthe company15yearsago,andherentrepreneurial spiritlaidthefoundationforwhatBeyond Business Travelhasbecometoday.I’malso supportedbySteveBanks,chiefexecutiveof the TravelDivisionatTheHumanNetwork, whosedecadesofexperiencebringsinvaluable insight.
Butaboveall,it’stheteamthatmakes ithappen.I’mincrediblyfortunatetowork alongside agroupofpassionate,talented individualswhogoaboveandbeyondforour clientsandthebusiness.
Howwouldyoulikeyourbusinesstobe remembered?
I’dloveBeyondBusiness Traveltobe rememberedastheUKandIreland’sgo-to travelmanagementcompany,trustedby businessesacrosstheUKandIrelandfor deliveringexceptionalserviceandforwardthinkingsolutions.AspartofTheHuman NetworkGroup,we’vebeenabletoexpand ourcapabilitiesandbringevenmorevalueto ourclients.
Whatsetsusapartishowwe’vehelped companiesevolvethroughmajorindustry shifts –embracingautomationandAI,aligning withESGtravelpolicies,adaptingtotheriseof ‘bleisure,’andnavigatingglobalrisks. We’ve alwaysbelievedinblendingleadingtechnology withtrulypersonalservice,becausebusiness travelisn’tjustaboutlogistics –it’sabout peopleandwe’rethereeverystepoftheway.
Whatpieceofadvicewouldyougivetoa 20-year-oldyou?
Takeeveryopportunity,youneverknowwhere itmightlead.Keeplearning,keepdeveloping, andstayopentogrowth. ■
JessicaMoonhasbeenappointed operationsmanageratArmagh ObservatoryandPlanetarium,bringing extensiveexperienceinscienceeducation from awiderangeoforganisations.
Emma-JayneMalcomsonjoinsArmagh ObservatoryandPlanetariumaseducation assistant,supportingitspublicengagement andlearningprogrammeswithherstrong backgroundincustomerserviceand communication.
MichaelStroet,whois aPhDresearch student,hasjoinedArmaghObservatory andPlanetarium,focusingonwhitedwarf magneticfields.
PhDresearchstudentCiaránFurey hasjoinedArmaghObservatoryand Planetarium,focusingonmassivestar evolutionrespectively,contributingto theorganisation’sinternationalresearch reputation.
StellaGranthasbeenappointedgroup procurementmanagerforMcKeever Hotels.Therole,whichisnewtothegroup willoversee,alignandoptimisethebuying processacrossMcKeever’ssevenhotels.
CGI,oneofthelargestindependentIT andbusinessconsultingservicesfirms, hasappointedEamonMcHughasdirector withinconsultingservices.
TracyYounghasbeenappointedgeneral manageroftheLodgeHotel,Coleraine. Withover35yearsofexperienceinthe hospitalityindustry, shebrings awealthof knowledgeandleadershiptotherole.
MarkGillanhasbeenappointedchief executiveofsmartsystemscyber-security specialistAngoka.Heis aformerFormula OnechiefraceEngineerforJaguar/RedBull andWilliamsraceteams.
KathrynColliehasbeenappointedchairof BelfastBuildings Trust. Aformerdirector atCleaverFultonRankin,shehasextensive expertiseincommercialpropertylawand regeneration.
APPOIN TM EN TS
1. SSEAirtricityhas announcedmore than £550,000infundingto sevensustainabilityprojects inNorther nIreland,from itsGenerationGreen CommunityFund.Overall,56 projectsspanningthelength andbreadthofIrelandwill allbefullyfundedbythe discretionaryfund.
2. EconomyMinisterDrCaoimhe Archibald(centre)hasannounced 20high-qualitytrainingplaces on anewAIandDataAnalytics AssuredSkillsAcademywith Deloitte.She’spicturedwithMarie Doyle,Deloitte,andBelfastMet’s DamianDuffy.
3. BelfastChamberisencouraging businessesnottomissoutonthe opportunitytobe awinnerinthe milestone10thyearoftheBelfast Business Awards,inpartnership withBankofIreland.Picturedare ClareGuinnessandPaulMcClurg.
4. SiblingsJarronand Victoria O’Neill Watsonmark20years of2Taps WineBar,theSpanish restaurantwhichisbasedinthe CathedralQuarterinBelfast.
5. RichmondMarketing,the exclusivedistributorofWhite ClawHardSeltzeracrossIreland, hasannounced amajornew drinkspartnershipwithTheSSE Arena,Belfast.
6. FinanceMinisterJohn O’Dowdhaspraisedthe transformativepotentialof theAdvancedManufacturing InnovationCentre(AMIC) during avisittothe constructionsite, akey projectunderthe£930m BelfastRegionCityDeal.
7. UpstreamABLhasappointed AzemHanifasCreditandRisk Partner,joiningthestructured asset-basedlendingspecialistafter nearly17yearsatDanskeBankin Norther nIreland.
8. Maxolhaslauncheditslatest fundraisingcampaignforcharity partner,GuideDogsNI.Maxol chiefBrianDonaldsonispictured withPauloRoss.
9. BelfastCityAirporthasbecome thefirstairportinNorther nIreland tolaunch‘That’stheSpirit’ –a week-longcelebrationoflocal spiritbrandsthatareputting Norther nIrelandontheglobal distillerstage.
10. ChoiceGroupchiefexecutive, MichaelMcDonnellpicturedwith CommunitiesMinister,Gordon LyonsMLAandPaulLeonard, chairofChoiceservicesboard,at thefirstmixedtenureapartment schemeinNorther nIreland.
11. HaganHomes,one ofNorther nIreland’s leadinghomebuilders,has announced atransformative £150,000partnership withBelfast-basedcharity Start360.
12. InfrastructureMinisterLiz Kimminshasjoined alargescaletrainingexercisewhich demonstratedhowflooddefences acrossBelfastwouldfullyswing intooperationshouldtherebea tidalsurge.
13. Geoffrey Wilson,senior businessmanageratDanske BankandAlanMercer,partnerat Hillmount,followingtheopening ofHillmountCarrickalongside assistancefromthebank.
14. Norther nIrelandOffice MinisterFleurAndersonhaspaid avisittoHinchDistillerywhereshe metheaddistillerandmanager, WillStafford.
15. DeloittehasinvitedNorthern Ireland’sfastest-growingand mostinnovativetechnology companiestoapplytobepartof theprestigiousDeloitteFast50 awards.
16. Weev,hasbeenselected as adeliverypartnerto provideEVchargersina SharedIslandinitiativeworth upto£18.6m.
17. TrainorStoneand TileLimited isdeliveringitslargestprojectto date, amulti-millionpoundtiling contractat20RopemakerStreet. PicturedareMichaelHallidayand Peter Trainor.
18. ICCBelfast,WaterfrontHall andUlsterHallhaveannounced DementiaNIasthevenues’ charitypartnerfortheyearahead. PicturedareKarenKerr,Dementia NI,RobMcConnellandNadine Gillespie,ICCBelfast, Waterfront HallandUlsterHall.
19. Belfastheadquartered Selective TravelManagementis celebrating50yearsinbusiness thisyear.PicturedareKelly Watson,marketingmanagerKeith Graham,managingdirectorfrom Selective TravelManagement.
20. Damian Tumilty(centre)is picturedwithStevieBracken oftheEuropaHoteland Tom MulcahyoftheGrandCentral,at theannouncementthathehas beenappointedexecutivehead chefoftheEuropaHotel.
21. BBQsocialmedia influencersandhusbandand wifeduoJimandRomilly MoorefromNewtownabbey arecallingonpeopleacross Norther nIrelandtohosta BreastFriendsBBQ’toraise vitalfundsforActionCancer’s life-savingbreastscreening service.
22. Marks &Spencerhas partneredwithAMFarming, afamily-runbusinessbasedin Crossgar,CoDown,tobring customersacrossIrelandthe freshest,best-tastinglocalnew seasonQueenspotatoes.
23. JohnDeer,whoselifewas savedbyCPRanddefibrillation aftersuffering aheartattack attheBelfastMarathon,helps announcethattheBritishHeart Foundation(BHF)isinviting applicationsforitsCommunity DefibrillatorFundingProgramme, alongsideFearghalMcKinney.
24. Ricky WattsandJohnBaxter ofKPSnacks(NI)aregivingcricket clubsacrossNorther nIrelandthe chancetorunawaywith a£1,000 cashprizetowardsmuchneeded cricketgearandequipment.
25. Irishrug retailerKukoonhas donated£177,000inoneday’s takingstotheOxfamIreland appealforGaza.Picturedare Kukoonowners,brotherandsiter duoPaulandClareVallely.
26. Twenty-eightleaders fromacrossNorther nIreland havebeennamedasthe newestcohortintheCentre forDemocracyandPeace’s FellowshipProgramme.
27. TheCrollyDistilleryExperience hasbeen recognisedwiththe prestigious TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award2025,placingit amongthetop10%ofvisitor attractionsworldwide.
28. EconomyMinisterDrCaoimhe Archibaldhasannouncedthat Warrenpointmanufacturer DeliLitesisinvesting£12.8m. She’spicturedwithBrianReid andJackieReid,DeliLites,and GráinneMoody,InvestNI.
29. WilsonNesbitt recently markedtheculminationofa yearsupportingDementiaNI asitschosencharity.Pictured areDementiaNI’sChrisPollock, withJoeSweeneyandAlice Salter,ofW ilsonNesbitt’sCharity Committee.
30. Deloittehascelebrateda successfulsix-yearpartnership withSimonCommunity.Pictured areMarieDoyle,officesenior partnerforDeloitteBelfastwith JimDennison,SimonCommunity chiefexecutive.
31. EileenBestofHousing First(left)andCaritaCoulter ofNIHE(right)arepictured withAngelaClarke,chair, andKieranMatthews,chief executiveofArbourHousing, atthelaunchofthenew £17.5mArbourHousing developmentinDerry.
32. NIChamberhashosted itsannualSummerSocialon theterraceoftheACMarriott, Belfast.PicturedareSuzanne Wylie,NIChamber,andEoin McMullan,Hill Vellacott.
33. CommunitiesMinisterGordon Lyons(right)hasannounced £670,000investmenttotransform towncentresacrossMidandEast Antrim.He’spicturedwithMayor ofMidandEastAntrim,Jackson Minford.
34. TerryCrossofBiopax Limited, aBelfast-basedleader insustainablepackaging,has welcomedMadamLiLi,chairand chiefexecutiveofMasterwork GroupCoLtd,toitsfactory.
35. Financeprofessionalsare invitedtojoinNIChamberand BankofIrelandfor abusiness breakfastonSeptember5. PicturedareGaryMcDonald,The IrishNews,SuzanneWylieofNI Chamber,andMarkCunningham, BankofIreland.
36. Acharitycyclehastaken place,BikeforBrian,in memoryofBrianMagennis fromPoyntzpass.The750milejourneytakesinthe32 countiesofIreland.Pictured areMargaretMagennis, Brian’swife,joinedbyhistwo sons,DanielMagennis,and BenMagennis.
37. Norther nIrelandHotels Federation(NIHF)hasannounced the retur noftheRisingStars competition, acelebrationof emergingtalentinNorthern Ireland’shotelandhospitality industry.
38. NewrycontractorMcGuinness MechanicalEngineering(MGME) issettodoubleitsturnoverand increaseexportsbyalmost£11m. Picturedare GeorgeMcKinney, InvestNI,EconomyMinisterDr CaoimheArchibald,andThomas McGuinness,MGME.
39. Anew reportfromthe DepartmentfortheEconomy saysthesocialenterprisesector contributes£933minturnover toNorther nIreland’seconomy. EconomyMinisterCaoimhe Archibald(right)ispicturedwith AshleighCollimatLoafPottery.
40. DrMylesPatton,principal economistand ToddGowdy, assistanteconomist,Ulster UniversityEconomicPolicyCentre, launchingtheUUEPCSummer Outlookfor2025.
TheRolex boutique: bringing thatnext levelof luxury to Belfast ThenewRolexboutiquehasopenedatQueen’s ArcadeinBelfast,followinga£5.5minvestment. John Mulgrew paid avisittotourthestoreandtryonsome ofthenewreferences
TheOpennotonlybroughtsomeof theworld’sgolferstotheshoresof Norther nIreland,butalsooneofthe world’smostrecognisableandstrongest brands.
Rolexhaspartneredwiththeworld’s greatestgolftournamentformorethan40 years,andwiththatcontinuesitsassociation withthesport.
AndtheopeningofRolex’sgrandnew boutiquebyLunn’satQueen’s Arcadein Belfast,just afewweeksearlier –aspartofa £5.5minvestment –couldhardlyhavecomeat abettertime.
BoutiquemanagerPeterMcAlisterandhis teamare atthehelmofthisgrandstore. HesaysTheOpenplayeditspartinbringing newandexistingcustomersthroughthedoor. Thereare fewRolexboutiquesquitelike this,elsewhereintheworld.Theambienceand aestheticisaboutashigh-endasitgets.
As aresultoftheexpansion,theboutique hasaround adozenstaffnow.Andbecause ofthatexpansion,whichincludes agrandbar andservingarea,threestaffhavebeenhired tofocusonthathospitalityelementofthe experience.
Thestorealsohas abespokepieceof
artworkwhenentering,showcasingtheGiant’s Causeway.
You’llalsoseeplentyof referencestothe world’stopsportsstarswhoeachshareatie withthebrand –includingworldnumberone golferScottieScheffler.
And,ofcourse, awiderangeofpiecesare onshow.Notalloftheseareimmediately available,ofcourse,duetosizeabledemands forthem.ButPeterwantstomakeitperfectly clearthatcustomersarecertainlyableto paytheboutique avisitandwalkoutwith somethingpolishedandshinyontheirwrists.
Ofcourse,thereare differentendsofthe
spectrumofthepiecesonshow.
RolexinBelfastisoneofthefewspots whichhasthebrand’sfirstfullynewmodelfor customerstotryon.
TheLand-Dwelleris abalancedsportswatch withanintegratedbracelet,harkingbackto theoldOysterquartzmodels.Ifyou’repaying anyattentiontothewatchmarketthenyou’ll
knowintegratedbraceletsareverymuchen voguerightacrossvarioushorologicalprice pointsatpresent.
It’sa40mmcasewith amodestlug-to-lug, meaningitsitsveryflushonwrist.Insidebeats anewmovement,with asizeable66-hour power reserve.
Forthoseaftersomethingwithconsiderably
You’llalsosee plenty of references to the world’s topsports stars whoeachsharea tiewith thebrand –including worldnumberone golfer ScottieSchefer
moreheft,thenthere’stheRolexDeepseain 18ctyellowgoldwith aCerachrombezelinsert inblueceramicandanOysterbracelet.
Thisisboth afeatofengineering,rating toanastonishing3,900m,anddesign.That largercasesize,casedepth,andsolidgold constructionmeansthisisn’toneforthe smallerwrist.It’scertainly atalkingpointand makesitspresenceknownin aroom,and currentlyinstockattheRolexboutique.
TheOysterPerpetualwasonceRolex’squiet sleeperwatch. Asimple,no-date,smooth andpolishedbezel,steelsportswatch.Cutto 2025andthatrangehasexpandedandgrown considerablyinboth references,andconsumer demand.There’salsobeen afocusonbright andvariedcoloursforthedial,withthe lavenderandbeigestandingoutfrommany othersonthemarket.
Andifyou’reaftersomethingwith alittle moresparkle,thenthentheoff-catalogue Yacht-Masteris alessoninhowtoenlivenan alreadyinterestingwatch.This42mmgold versioniscompletewith afulldiamondbezel andcase,andiscurrentlyavailable. ■
InsideRolex’snew boutiqueinBelfast
CanyoningintheFrench Alpsisnotforthefainthearted,but Catherine Murphy enjoyedher adventurehugely
I’mclosertothebig60than Icareto beandclosertotheedgeofthe rock than Iwanttobe.“Juststepoff,”the guidesays.After amoment’shesitation, Ijumpsevenmetresinto anaturalpool, deafenedbythe roarofcascadingwater, gulpingforairas Icomebackup.
It’s15yearssince Ilasttrekkedthroughthe NyoncanyonontheDranserivernearMorzine intheFrenchAlps, atwo-and-a-halfhour adventurethatbeginswithsomebridgedrama andendswith alongwaterfallbelay.The interveningyearshavebroughtcautionand anincreasedfearofheightstomydoor.What oneartham Idoinginthiscanyondeepinthe mountain?
CanyoningiswhattheFrenchcallsauvage, awildnatureexperiencewhereyoufollowthe pathofthewaterthrough amountaingorge; wading,swimming,clamberingover rocks, jumping,slidingandabseilingtothebase.
Ledbyafullyqualifiedmountainguide fromMorzine’sBureaudesGuides,myselfand agroupofadventure-seekerslaughourway downnaturalslides,jumpintodeeppools, abseildownwaterfallsandlowerourselves downsteep rockfaces.It’slike awaterparkin thewild,feelslikesurvivalforfunandistotally unforgettable.
Theforceofthewaterseemsgreater,the noisemoretumultuous,thantheprevious timesI’vecanyoned.“Thisismorehardcore than Iimagined,”saysonememberofthe group, ahardymountainbikerandskier.
Thecanyonisgradedasmoderatelydifficult, butthere’snotechnicalskill requiredwhen accompaniedby aguide;childrenfromtheage of10cancompleteitand,indeed, ahappy groupofschoolkidsfollowsusthewholeway down. We’reinsafehands.Ourguideisa
Summerat skiretreat Morzine issimply sauvage highlyskilledmountaineerwhoinstructsusat eachjumporslideandencouragesustohelp eachotheralongtheway.“Feedthe ropelike this,jumpwithyourarmscrossedinfrontof yourchest,slideinthisdirection,”aresomeof theinstructionscomingourway.
ThebiggesthelpinghandsbelongtoEnglish holidaymakerCliveandhisson-in-law,triathleteswhoguidemeonmorechallenging sectionsandtakephotographsoftheentire adventure.
Spoileralert –theexcursionstartswith aknee-knockingstepover abridgetobe lowered afewhundredfeetdownintothe gorge.Onceyou’rein,there’sonejump andoneabseilthatyoucanoptoutof,but, otherwise,you’vegottocommittothe canyon.
Stand-outpartsincludeswimmingunder waterthrough anarrowholeinthe rock;using aropetolowermyselfdown anaturalslide,
then realisingthatthe ropehasendedandI havetojump;holdingonto aropefordearlife whilestbeingpummelledbycascadingwater; andstandingontheveryedgeof arock, holding anarrowoverheadcableforbalance, beforejumping.
Atonepoint,I’mscoopeddownanalmost verticalslideand,asinstructed,grab aropein thewatertoavoidbeingpulledinto acave.
Thelastcanyonchallengeis astunning 22-metrewaterfalldescent.Fifteenyearsago, Iabseileditsolo. Todaythough,ourguide lowersparticipantsdowntwoat atime, suspendingthemmid-waterfallwheretheyget bashedbywaterfor afinalthrill.
Canyoningisnotforthefaint-heartedorfor thosewith aseriousfearofheightsorexposed rocks.Itis,however,anadventurethatyou’ll talkaboutfor alongtimeafterwards –allfor just€55perperson.Whenbooking,enquire aboutgroupsizesas,tomymind,theideal
groupissixoreightpeople.
Bycomparison,hikingalpinepasturesand crosscountrye-bikingseemlikeeasyactivities. They’renextonthelistduringmyHauteSavoie holiday.I’mstayingatLeMil 8hotelin Avoriaz, aresortperchedonthesideof acliffat1,800 metres.Downthevalley,thevillageofMorzine bustleswithshops, restaurants,barsandyearroundvillagelife.
Inwinter,bothare partofthePortesdu SoleilskiareaandpopularwithIrishfamilies. Insummer,theyofferanunbeatablemixof outdooractivities,includinghiking,climbing, trailrunning,mountainbiking, roadcycling,via ferrata,lakeswimming,high ropeadventures andavokarting, arelativelynewactivitythat involvesdrivinggo-kartsdownmountaintrails.
Asmoreholidaymakers recognisetheappeal ofalpinesummerholidaysandthecoolcation option,Morzineand Avoriaz reachedalmost 60pcoccupancylastsummer.For arelaxing
dayonthemountain, Ijoin alocalguidefor aneasy5.5kmtourofalpinepasturesfrom FreterolletoChardonniere,stoppingata mountainfarmtobuytastyAbondancecheese andhikingtowards TetedeBostaninthe Samoensarea.
Thehiketakesundertwohourswithan ascentof309mto ahighpointof1,624m through ValleedelaManche, askitouringarea inwinter,andLacdesMinesd’Or.
Whileit’saneasyhikeintheso-called lungsofthe region,itonceagainbringsme intobeautifulwildnatureand,ultimately,to traditionalcheese-ladendishesandpanoramic viewsatmountain restaurantBullesdesMines d’Or.Hikingandbikinginthis regionalso rewardswithviewsoftheDentsduMidi, DentsBlanchesandMontBlanc.
OurtourtakesustotheCrete(ridge)of SuperMorzine,aroundtheColdelaJouxVerteloop,down acurvedmountain road
tothelittlevillageofLindarets,wheregoats roamfreelyandarefedbyvisitors,andalonga gravelpathtoCascadedesBrochaux.
We’reusingbatterypowerede-bikes,so thetourisnotarduous. Ahighlightoftheday ispeddlingtoLacdeMontriondforlunchat buzzyl’Aubergedu Verdoyant.
Ifeel apangofenvywatchingpeople relaxing,swimmingandstand-uppaddle boarding,butenjoy aconviviallunchbefore continuingthe routebacktoMorzineforthe lastchairliftbackupto Avoriaz.
Thebeautyof asummerholidayinthe mountainsisthatyoucancombinelotsof activitieswith restand relaxation.
Morzineishometo agreatoutdoorpool andkeepingactivemeansthatyoucanenjoy foodietreatsin restaurantslikel’Epicerie (sundownersandsunsetviews)in Avoriazand LeGrilloninMorzineforfillingpost-activity traditionalSavoyarddishes. ■
Morzineinthe FrenchAlps
TheGalaxyZ Fold 7: aslim,light masterpiece… butwithonebig drawback With astartingpriceof£1,799,theexcellent SamsungGalaxy ZFold 7phonewillhave alimited audience,writes Adrian Weckler
Foldingphoneshavebeenwithusfor almost adecade.Buttheirsaleshave stayed relativelylow.Yougenerally don’tseethemaroundthatmuch.
That’sespeciallytruefortheflagshipdevices thatfoldoutto asquarishtabletofbetween 7.5and 8inchesinsize.
They’vemostlybeentoobulkyandtoo expensive,withnokilleruseforthatlarger displayover aconventional6.5-to-6.8-inch phone.
What’smore,they’reAndroid-only –Apple lookssettomakeone,butnotuntilnextyear attheearliest.
Samsungusedtobetheonlyshowintown andstill remainsthemarketleaderbysome distance,eventhoughothers,fromHonorand GoogletoOnePlusandXiaomi,arestartingto maketheirpresencefelt.
Thisyear’supdatedGalaxy ZFold 7feelslike abitof abreakthroughinonemajor respect: size.
Ithasslimmeddown alotwithoutlosingany
screensize.
Injustover aweek’suseofit,I’venever oncefeltthat Ihave abrickinmypocket.
Thefoldouttablet-phoneisnowjust8.9mm inthicknesswhenfoldedover,hardlyanything aboveSamsung’sotherflagshipdevice,the S25Ultra(8.2mmthick)orevenhigh-end competitionsuchasApple’siPhone16ProMax (8.3mmthick).
Andthe ZFold7’sfeelingofheftisgone, too,Itweighsjust215g,whichisnotjust 24glighterthanlastyear’smodelbutisnow marginallylighterthantheS25Ultra(218g) andnoticeablylighterthantheiPhone16Pro Max(227g).
Thisis really,reallygood.Iteliminatesa primarypractical reasonthatmanymightrule outgetting alargefoldingphone,onethathas keptSamsung’sbigfoldingphoneaudience largelywithintheranksofmiddle-agedmale corporatetypeswhowouldhaveused aNokia Communicatorbrickbackintheday.
That’snottosaythatGen Zare aboutto
flocktotheZFold7,andforonemain reason: theprice.
At£1,799 ,thisisthemostexpensivephone youcanbuyonthemarket.
Soitwillprobably remain anichedevicethat onlytheaforementionedmiddle-agedblokein middle-managementwillforkoutfor.
Butifyoudoshelloutforthis,you’rein foranaesthetictreat.Thisisbyfarthenicest flagshipfoldingphonethatSamsunghasever madeandmaybethenicesttohandleonthe market.
Thephysicaldesignofthedeviceis genuinely refined.Mytestmodelcameina deep,darkish‘blueshadow’colour –probably themostpleasingfinishI’vehadin aflagship phone.
Asyou’dexpectatthislevel,the specificationsofthe ZFold 7are topnotch. There’stheSnapdragon 8Elitechip,whichis anefficiencyandmusclemonster,aswellas 12GBofRam.
There’stheupdatedOneUI 8interface onAndroid16,whichhasallofthelatest
upgrades,includingthemostup-to-dateAI stuffthatbothGoogleandSamsungcurrently have,includingphotoediting,translationand loadsofotherthings.
Andthecamerasareexcellent,too. Samsunghascompromised abiton thetelephotolens,whichislimitedtoa 10-megapixel3xopticalzoom(andup30x digital).Butthemain1xcameraisthesame 200-megapixellensyougetwithSamsung’s S25Ultraandit’strulygreat.Sounlikesome otherfoldingphones,you’renotgivingup muchphotographyfortheformfactorhere. Butit’sstill reallyallaboutthescreens. Yougetan8-inchfoldout,bright2kAmoled displaythat’sjustsuperb,Thisiscomplemented by a6.5-inchcoverdisplayforthetimesyou reallywanttodostufflikecalls,texts,utility appsandotherstuffthatdoesn’tneeda tablet-sizedscreen.
Thescreen’screaseisnowsodiscreetasto bebarelynoticeableatall,whilethereappears tobenogaporspaceforgungeordustto buildup.
Videowatchingisanobvioushighlight. Whileearlierversionsofthisphoneweren’t noticeablybetterforwatching YouTubeor Netflix,theusablepartofthe ZFold 7display nowmakesfor alargervideosizecomparedto almosteveryotherflagshipphone Iown. Otherthanvideo,thereisstillsomethingof a‘yes,butwhy?’challengeto abigfoldout screen,evenoneasimpressiveasthis.I sometimessplit-screenedappsandfunctionsto getmoredone;OutlookorGmailononehalf and abrowserorsocialmediaontheother. Readinglong-formstuffwasalsoeasier, especiallywiththenewlighterformfactor. Butwhetherthatmakesitallworthsucha bigcashoutlaywillbe apersonaldecision.
Onethingthat remains asmallirritation aboutthescreenisthelackof aquickeasy waytoopenandclosethelargerdisplay.By necessity,thehingeisstiff.That,togetherwith thesmooth,compactergonomics,makeit fiddlytoopen.
Ifthere’soneotherscreen-relatedweakness, it’sthebatterylife.While Igenerallygot througheachdaywithout aproblem,this isn’tasimpressiveasflagshipsliketheS25 Ultra,iPhone16ProMaxoranyothertop-tier phone.
That’sbecausethetrade-offforsucha light,thindeviceis arelativelysmallbattery –4,400mAh.Honor’supcomingMagicV5 foldoutphone,whichissimilarlythinandlight, has amuchmoreimpressivebatterybecause it’susingdifferenttechnology.
Otherwise,theonlyotherdownsidetothis phoneisthatithasdroppedSPen(stylus) support.Whilethemajorityofpeopledon’t useone,theranksoftheLinkedInmiddlemanagementblokebrigadewon’tlikethat.
Thisis aPorscheof aflagshipphone,easily thebestthatSamsunghasevermade.Ifit wasn’tfortheso-sobatterylife,itwouldbea no-brainerto recommendtopowerusers,even atsuch amassivepricepoint. ■
TECH NOLO GY
TheGalaxy ZFold7
my day OliverJohnston CBRE 7am
Istartmymorningwith a30to40-minute walk, regardlessoftheweather.By8.15am, I’malmost readytoheadtotheofficebut beforeleavingthehouse Itake10minutesto scrollthroughsocialmediaandcheckemails foranythingurgentthatmightneedmy attentionwhen Iarrive.
9am
IfI’mnotoutatclientmeetingsoron-sitein themorning, Iusethefirsthourtocheckmy diary,planmyday,andcatchuponemails.I alsotakethetimetoworkonanyclient reports orupdatesbeforethedaygetsbusy.
10am
andenjoylunchawayfrommydesk. Ialsotry tosqueezein aquick10-minutewalkaround thecitycentreforsomefreshair.
1.45pm
Imeetwiththewiderprofessionalservices teamtodiscussbusinessratesconsultancy, whichcomplementsourpropertyvaluation andleaseconsultancyofferings.Thisis agood opportunityto reviewourclients’assetsand identifystrategicopportunitiesforeffective ratesmanagement. We alsoexploreother waystogrowthisservicelineandensurethe entireteamisequippedandconfidenttofulfil their roles.
11am
CBRENIisappointedby Translinktoprovide assetmanagementservicesacrosstheir commercialestate.Thismorning, Ihavea meetingwith Translink’scommercialestates teamatBelfast’snewGrandCentralStationto explorenewcommercialisationopportunities. Thistopfacilityisthelargestintegratedpublic transporthubinIreland,andweareexcited topartnerwithTranslinkinsupportingthe growthofitsestate,increasingrevenueand addingvaluewherepossible.
1pm
Duringlunchtime Ijoinmycolleaguesinour breakoutareaorbalcony(weatherdependant)
Theearlypartofmyafternoonisdedicated topreparing aleaseforecasting reportfor aretailclient,whereIadvisethemontheir upcoming rent reviewsandlease renewals overthenext12months.Thisis acrucialstep inensuringeffectiveleasemanagementand accurate rentforecasting.Thisparticularclient hasover70storesacrossNorther nIreland,soit isimperativethatweprovideproactiveadvice wellinadvance.
3.30pm
Recently,Ihadtheopportunitytoactasan advisorfor aclientinsecuringnew restaurant premisesinBelfast’sCathedralQuarter –an excitingprojectthatwilladdanotherhigh-end eaterytothisvibrantareaofBelfast. Iam nowinstructedtoassistwithbusinessrates managementduringthefit-outperiod,and thisafternoon,I’mmeetingtheclienton-site to reviewtheprogressofthebuildingworks anddiscussanychangestotheschedule.
4.15pm
Backintheoffice, Ijoin aTeamscallwith colleaguesfromCBREofficesacrosstheUK todiscussanupcomingclientlease renewal
fortheirwarehousepremisesinCoAntrim.I alwaysenjoycollaboratingwithotherCBRE regionsandhearinghowtheyareperforming.
5pm
Itrytoleavethelasthourofmyworkingday availabletoactionanyunexpectedtaskswhich havepoppedupthroughoutthedayorcatch uponanyuncompletedtasks. Typically,this involvesfinishing reports,catchinguponcalls/ emailsandcheckinginwithourteamfora quickdebriefontheday.
6pm
Imakesuretofitinagymsessionorspinclass afewtimes aweekbeforeheadinghome, whichhelpsmeunwindafterwork. Itypically gethomearound7.30pmandenjoydinner withmyfiancée.
8pm
We’regettingmarriedlaterthisyear,so mostofoureveningsarespentworkingon wedding-relatedtasks. We haveadopteda ‘littleandoften’approachtoplanningduring theweektokeepourweekendsfree,andso far,it’sbeen asuccessfulstrategy.
9pm
To finishofftheevening,we relaxandwatch somethingtogetherbeforeheadingtobed around10:30pm. ■
