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Four councils across the north have joined forces to launch a new recruitment drive designed to attract fresh talent into the planning sector through a debt-free apprenticeship programme that allows participants to earn a full salary while they study.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has partnered with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Belfast Metropolitan College and the Department for Infrastructure to promote the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Planning. The initiative offers successful applicants the chance to gain hands-on experience in local government while working towards a recognised qualification, with no tuition fees and no student debt to worry about.
The programme gives apprentices a full salary whilst they study for a foundation degree, learning directly from experienced planning professionals within their council's planning team. Participants will complete an FdSc in Property, Housing and Planning at Belfast Metropolitan College, with the option to progress to Ulster University's BSc in Planning, Regeneration and Development. The scheme is open to school leavers, career changers and anyone interested in the built environment.
The Higher Level Apprenticeship has been developed in response to ongoing challenges councils face in recruiting and retaining planning staff. The aim is to strengthen local skills, attract new professionals and create future leaders in the planning sector.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said: "Planning is about shaping the places where we live, work and grow, it plays a vital role in the future of our communities. This apprenticeship offers a fantastic route into a rewarding profession, giving people the chance to gain qualifications, knowledge and experience without the worry of student debt. I encourage anyone with an interest in the built environment to consider applying and becoming part of this exciting initiative."
Belfast Metropolitan College Interim Principal and CEO, Damian Duffy said: "We are delighted to work in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council; Belfast City Council and the Department for Infrastructure on this innovative Higher Level Apprenticeship. The programme gives participants the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification while developing the skills and experience that employers need."
He added: "By combining academic study with practical, hands-on learning, this apprenticeship creates a clear pathway into a professional career in planning, regeneration and development. We are proud to play our part in supporting the next generation of planning professionals who will help shape Northern Ireland's communities for years to come."
Applications for the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Planning close on Friday 21 November. One apprenticeship position is available in each of the four participating councils: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Belfast City Council. For more information and to apply, visit newrymournedown.getgotjobs.co.uk
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A Newry charity appeal that has raised over £2 million in 25 years is gearing up for its 26th year of building its famous Toy Mountain to ensure no child in the greater Newry area goes without a present this Christmas.
The Newry Business Christmas Toy Mountain Appeal has announced that this year's Business Charity Christmas Dinner will be held on Thursday 4 December from 6pm at The Canal Court Hotel in Newry. Committee members are working extremely hard behind the scenes to replicate the success of previous years, with last year's event alone raising over £144,000 on the night.
Organisers emphasise that this time of year is particularly difficult for many families and are asking the local community to come out once again and support the appeal as much as they possibly can. The annual event has ensured that children less fortunate in the area can receive a toy on Christmas morning.
Tickets for this year's event are priced at £70 per individual ticket, or a table of 10 costs £650. The event is strictly limited to 500 people, so early booking is essential.
Committee member Caroline Courtney said: "Christmas is a time of memories that stay with us all of our lives. For even one child to go disappointed on Christmas morning, is one too many. In the greater Newry area because of the generosity of the spirit of Christmas, we have avoided any child being disappointed on Christmas morning for over 25 years. Let's make this Christmas a Christmas for everyone!"
Reserve Your Ticket
Anyone wishing to reserve their place at this year's event can email newrychristmascharitydinner@gmail.com or phone 07879 332267.
The appeal also has a GoFundMe page at gofund.me, and people can follow updates on Facebook at Newrybusinesschristmascharitydinner, or Instagram at christmastoymountainappeal, and on LinkedIn.
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A new advisory panel made up of industry leaders from across transport, construction, food and agriculture, and other key economic sectors has been set up to support the work of the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor (DBEC)
DBEC is the cross-border partnership that brings together eight local authorities including Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, along with universities and other stakeholders, to foster thriving and sustainable economic collaboration in the region. The corridor covers the 100 miles between Dublin and Belfast and is a key location for cross-border trade.
The panel met for the first time on Monday past, 10 November 2025 in Dundalk and represents a key part of DBEC's strategy to ensure effective collaboration between the organisation and private industry. The panel will work with DBEC to ensure that the insights of private sector businesses in the region are represented and that real business needs can be met to continue economic growth, leverage strategic opportunities and encourage further investment.
Speaking at the launch of the Industry Advisory Panel, Panel Chair David Conway, Chief Executive Officer of Louth County Council, said: "DBEC is delighted to announce this new advisory panel which brings together leading private industry representatives. DBEC is committed to developing and showcasing all that this diverse region has to offer to businesses seeking to invest and grow, and the perspectives and expertise of our leading companies is key to that commitment."
He added: "DBEC's role is to ensure that not only the opportunities in the region are highlighted, but any challenges that may be facing businesses – whether that is skills and labour gaps, or infrastructure needs – so that we can advocate on behalf of the corridor to ensure these challenges are addressed. We look forward to working closely with the Industry Advisory Panel to create a world class economic region."
The panel represents the full spectrum of businesses operating across the region, from start-ups and SMEs to large multinationals, and includes sectoral representation spanning transport, energy, offshore technology, construction, professional and financial services, food manufacturing, agriculture, broadband connectivity, and life and health sciences. It will provide a forum for industry experts to engage with DBEC, helping to shape its strategic direction and inform future outcomes.
The first meeting of the Industry Advisory Panel focused on building connections between members, identifying industry priorities and agreeing a programme of work for the coming months. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Belfast in early 2026, with the panel set to play a crucial role in driving economic development across the corridor.
The Industry Advisory Panel
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An International Men's Day celebration is set to take place at Newry Rugby Club next Friday 21 November. The event is being organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce and is supported by Duality Healthcare, DMC Events and O'Hare & McGovern.
Following on from the huge success of the inaugural event last year, 'A Celebration of Men across Greater Newry' will be hosted by presenter, commentator and broadcaster Thomas Niblock. The event will feature two engaging fireside chats followed by a panel discussion with some of the area's biggest personalities.
The first of the fireside chats will be with STATSports co-founder Sean O'Connor, who will discuss the truly remarkable journey of STATSports from humble local beginnings to acquisition by global electronics giant Sony. Next in the armchair will be general surgeon and 2002 All-Ireland winner Kevin McElvanna, discussing the pain of loss, raising a family, developing a career as well as helping to turn tragedy to joy for his local club Madden who lifted their very first Senior County Championship in their 92-year history.
Plenty of banter, chat and advice will follow with Benny Tierney, All-Ireland winner and school principal, Colin Bell, founder of Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, Jim McGuigan, actor, singer, director and fundraiser, and John McEvoy, executive chair of Duality Healthcare.
There will be plenty of networking time with an opportunity for a chat and a bit of craic, live music and complimentary burger and pint after the discussions. Proceeds go to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and the 2025 charity partner Women's Aid Armagh Down.
A free bus will also leave the Stone Bridge in Newry at 1.30pm, returning at 6pm. Tickets can be booked at https://shorturl.at/5LHl9
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Over 150 delegates from across Northern Ireland gathered at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on Thursday 13 November for this year's NI SME Business Conference & Expo, with the vital role of the smallest business sector to the local economy taking centre stage.
Hosted by Newry Chamber the annual free conference marked its 11th year and featured over 20 expert speakers covering key areas including sales and marketing, finance and the economy, and the challenges and opportunities facing SMEs. Many exhibitors were also in attendance to speak directly with businesses about available support.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber, explained the thinking behind the event. "We regularly engage with our members to better understand what the current challenges they face and the opportunities they see. This conference is all about connecting our SME business community with each other and with organisations that can support them."
She added: "The Greater Newry Area is a vibrant business region. Despite the challenges of rising interest rates, stubbornly high inflation, skills and staff shortages, there is a still a huge ambition for growth. The conference allowed businesses to learn from each other and raise awareness of what supports are available to them."
Councillor Philip Campbell, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, one of the event's sponsors, said: "The NI SME Conference offered businesses across the district the opportunity to engage with a wide range of business support organisations under one roof and to listen to topical discussion on business practices. As we enter Enterprise Week, I encourage businesses to engage with Council's own business support programmes which were also promoted at this event, and I encourage local companies to contact the Council to find out more on the support available."
Roisin McAliskey, Development Manager at Small Businesses in NI, emphasised the sector's importance. "Small businesses are at the heart of every community in Northern Ireland. The recent NI SME Business Conference and Expo reinforced their importance and highlighted the support available to help them succeed." She added that FSB remains committed to ensuring no business feels it has to face its challenges alone.
Tracy Rice, Head of Business Engagement at Southern Regional College, highlighted the practical support available to local firms. "We work with many local firms and feedback from employers is that Apprenticeships and Higher-Level Apprenticeships are an excellent solution to recruitment and retention challenges," she said, noting there are lots of opportunities for employers to engage in funded upskilling activities as well as innovation and productivity supports.
Karen Maguire, Chair of Employee Ownership Ireland, praised the networking opportunities the conference provided. "The team at Employee Ownership Ireland had a great time participating in the conference and enjoyed a useful day of learning and networking with business leaders from across the region," she said. The conference presented a great opportunity to spread the word about employee ownership and demonstrate the benefits this model can bring to a regional economy like Newry.
The conference was supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, FSB Northern Ireland, Southern Regional College, Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and Employee Ownership Ireland. Chamber President Fiona Flynn expressed gratitude to the sponsors, noting: "Without their support, we could not run this important conference."
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Newry based Duality Healthcare has made a series of senior appointments as the company prepares for its next phase of strategic growth across the north.
John McEvoy has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, having previously served as Chairman and Co-Founder where he played a key role in shaping the company's strategic vision. His business partner and Co-Founder, Dr Declan Morgan, has moved into the role of Chief Medical Officer to provide clinical leadership and oversight as the organisation scales up.
Sarah Marks joins as Chief Operating Officer, having previously been Group Chief Operating Officer at Kingsbridge Healthcare Group, whilst Fergus McIlduff becomes Chief Financial Officer after leading private equity backed businesses across the UK and Ireland.
The company has also appointed Neil Cooke as Head of Business Development, bringing with him experience from senior roles in leading financial services organisations. Holly McGeeney-Murray has joined from PropertyPal as Head of Marketing, and Helen Hughes has been appointed Head of HR after working at Kingsbridge Healthcare Group.
McEvoy, a graduate of Queen's University Belfast, spent over two decades in international legal practice and corporate leadership before moving into healthcare innovation. He began his career at international law firms Herbert Smith Freehills and Arthur Cox before taking on executive leadership roles in the Life Sciences sector, where he was involved in cross-border mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions. He has been recognised in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist in 2022, 2023 and 2025.
Speaking about his new role, John McEvoy said: "Our strengthened leadership team positions Duality Healthcare strongly to set a new standard in patient-focused healthcare. I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at such a key moment in the company's growth journey and excited to lead our talented team into the future. Primary care in Northern Ireland is under significant pressure, and there is a clear need for new, innovative models that truly put patients first."
He added: "I look forward to working with the wider team to deliver accessible, high-quality, affordable healthcare to communities across Northern Ireland and redefine how people experience primary care through improved access, enhanced outcomes, and building a system that truly works for patients."
Earlier this year, the company announced it had secured £4.5 million in investment funding which will be used to launch new clinics, expand healthcare services and create up to 80 jobs across Northern Ireland. Duality Healthcare currently operates clinics in Newry, Ballymena and Omagh, with further sites planned to open in 2025 and 2026.
For more information visit dualityhealthcare.com
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Finance Minister John O'Dowd has announced plans to speed up a strategic review of the rates system with enhanced support for small businesses and measures to tackle the growing number of empty shops blighting town and city centres across the north.
Speaking in the Assembly Chamber, the Minister said his department had committed less than a year ago to reviewing all rates support to deliver positive and progressive change to the rating system. He confirmed that every single rates support will have been reviewed by the end of the 2027/28 rating year.
Following the review process over the summer, Minister O'Dowd said it was now his ambition to progress enhanced support for small businesses, tackle the high level of vacancies in town and city centres, support businesses starting out and help accelerate business growth.
The Small Business Rate Relief currently provides vital support for operating costs for around 30,000 small businesses across Northern Ireland. However, the support delivered under that scheme has remained unchanged since 2012. Councillor O'Dowd said he wanted to create a fair environment for all businesses and plans to consult before the New Year, giving businesses the chance to share final views before changes are put to ministerial colleagues on enhancements to the support.
Addressing the issue of empty properties, the Minister said what was clear from the review was the need to challenge the blight of vacant properties in villages, towns and city centres. He announced plans to elevate Non-Domestic Vacant Rating liability from 50% to 75% and then to 100%. The Minister has instructed his officials to take forward the policy work required to implement these changes, which have the potential to unlock a further £20m of revenue between central and local government.
Minister O'Dowd emphasised that small businesses are the backbone of the local economy and said he wanted to see extra help going to those businesses that provide vital employment supporting workers, families and communities.
The Minister said that by taking the steps announced, the Executive continues to deliver a fairer, more progressive rating system that drives growth, supports new enterprises and strengthens communities. He acknowledged that finances are under significant pressure and said he aims to deliver savings in parts of the rating system and redirect resources to provide additional support to those businesses that need it most. Delivering positive change will require buy-in, partnership working and the backing of ministerial colleagues and the Assembly, he added.
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Buttercrane Centre in Newry is ending the trading year on a high note, with the opening of four new stores pushing occupancy levels to 98% and creating more than 30 new jobs in the city.
The final quarter of the year has seen 11,000 square feet of retail space let to quality brands including Rituals, Tipperary, Toytown and a supersized Louis Boyd store. Combined investment by the landlord and various tenants has totalled more than £1.2 million this quarter, with 34 new jobs created across full and part-time positions.
Leading independent menswear brand Louis Boyd has been a fixture in Buttercrane since the centre opened back in 1988. Earlier this month, the retailer relocated to a 4,500 square foot superstore within the scheme. The new megastore stocks leading gents' fashion brands including Gant, Tommy Hilfiger, Farah, Boss, Diesel, Calvin Klein, Barbour, Lacoste and Lyle & Scott, alongside an extended formal suiting section and footwear department.
Located next to Louis Boyd is luxury wellbeing brand Rituals, which opened at the start of the fourth quarter in a 1,500 square foot retail space. The store offers shoppers an immersive experience into Rituals' signature range of luxurious bath, body and home products, designed to inspire moments of mindfulness and self-care in everyday life.
Tipperary, a market leader in high-end design and quality giftware, is making its first venture into the north with its Buttercrane opening. The brand has been a long-established feature on high streets and in shopping centres south of the border for many years, curating contemporary and classic collections of jewellery, fashion accessories and homeware.
The Northern Irish-owned Toytown brand has opened its seventh store in Northern Ireland at Buttercrane. One of the largest toy retailers in the UK, Toytown offers a wide selection of toys and games for boys and girls of all ages, with a clear focus on play, and stocking products designed to inspire young imaginations.
Centre Manager Peter Murray described the developments as a "significant milestone" in the current challenging trading environment. He said: "As we move to the close of the year, this is a very welcome addition to the local economy."
Mr Murray added: "On behalf of the landlord, management team and our vibrant trading committee, I wish Tipperary, Toytown, Rituals and the new supersized Louis Boyd every success as they begin Christmas trading in our scheme. This is a meaningful addition to our 52-strong store retail mix, and a real vote of confidence in the Centre and in Newry city as a retail destination."
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Newry's Crilco Confectionary is one of 22 businesses across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, that Lidl Northern Ireland has procured more than £20 million worth of goods and services from, according to its latest Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report published this week.
The retailer revealed that over £13 million worth of goods were procured from nine local agri-food producers in the area for sale across Lidl Northern Ireland's 44 stores throughout the region. A further £6 million worth of services were procured from 13 local business partners within Newry, Mourne and Down.
The report also showed that £413 million worth of produce was procured and exported globally through Lidl's international store network, showcasing local produce across thousands of Lidl stores internationally. Significant contracts with Newry, Mourne and Down suppliers including Crilco Confectionary, Willowbrook Foods, Lynn's Country Foods, Lecale Harvest and Strangford Coffee have seen their products exported to Lidl stores across Ireland, the EU and internationally.
Overall across Northern Ireland, the supermarket retailer procured more than half a billion pounds (£557 million) from local suppliers and business partners. The retailer worked with more than 90 local agri-food suppliers, with £75 million of these goods sold in Lidl stores across Northern Ireland, and more than 85 per cent (£413 million) shipped outside the region to Lidl's network of stores in Great Britain, Europe and internationally.
Lidl's Kickstart Supplier Development Programme continues to support small and medium-sized local producers to boost their brand, enhance their supply and reach new customer audiences. Backed by the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association, Lidl has invested more than £4 million in showcasing innovative homegrown produce through Kickstart since 2018.
Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director of Lidl Northern Ireland, said the annual Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report demonstrates "our significant investment in the Northern Ireland economy - through longstanding, meaningful relationships with our growing network of more than 115 local suppliers and business partners."
He added that through their operations, they're "proud to play an important role in showcasing the best homegrown, Northern Ireland produce globally, and bring high quality food and drink from our region to millions of shoppers across Europe every day."
Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland and Lidl Northern Ireland, said their longstanding relationships with local suppliers and business partners has been "paramount to our sustained growth and success in Northern Ireland." He noted that some suppliers have been working with Lidl since they opened their doors 26 years ago in 1999, and are now exporting millions of pounds worth of Northern Ireland produce across the globe.
The Impact Report launch coincides with publication of Lidl Northern Ireland's financial results for the FY 24/25 period which recorded turnover of £523 million. Much of this has been reinvested locally to support the retailer's expansion plans including newly constructed refurbished stores opened recently in Newcastle and Cookstown, as well as a brand new store in Ballysillan which opened earlier this month. The retailer marked its 25th anniversary in the region in 2024 and commissioned a major economic report which revealed it contributed a record £360 million into the local economy in 2023, doubling its annual economic contribution over the past five years and supporting almost 7,000 jobs across the region.
Check out more information on their Kickstart programme at www.lidl-ni.co.uk
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