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Randox Health has opened a new clinic in Newry, bringing its health testing services to the city centre as part of an ongoing expansion across the UK and Ireland.
The clinic at 67 Hill Street is the latest addition to Randox Health's Northern Ireland network, which already includes locations in Belfast, Derry, Crumlin and Holywood. The Newry opening forms part of the company's wider aim to make preventative healthcare more accessible by bringing diagnostic services to the high street.
The clinic offers Randox Health's full range of tests, including the flagship Everyman and Everywoman health checks, which analyse up to 150 biomarkers covering heart, liver, kidney, thyroid, hormonal and nutritional health. Results for select tests are available in as little as two hours from receipt of sample at the laboratory, a turnaround time the company describes as industry-leading.
Alongside the Everyman and Everywoman programmes, the Newry clinic provides the Discovery test, hormone panels, nutritional testing and specialist diagnostic packages. All tests use Randox's proprietary Biochip Array Technology, which allows multiple tests to be carried out simultaneously from a single sample.
The opening comes as interest in preventative health and personal wellbeing continues to grow, with the Newry clinic offering local residents the opportunity to gain detailed insights into their health, identify potential issues at an earlier stage and make informed decisions about their lifestyle.
Appointments at the Newry clinic can be booked at www.randoxhealth.com
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A new report on the economic impact of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority has revealed that in 2024 the Port handled £3.4 billion of trade, generating £6.0 million in direct economic value and directly supporting 94 jobs across Northern Ireland through its operations.
The report, commissioned by the port and conducted by Grant Thornton, shows that trade levels at Warrenpoint have doubled since 2000, with 3.4 million tonnes of goods moving through the Port in 2024. That figure accounts for 12% of all Northern Ireland port trade.
WHA believe that this significant level of trade, and the wider supply chain it supports, helps sustain more than 18,300 jobs across Northern Ireland.
The Port recorded a turnover of £8.6 million in 2024, described as a record figure and almost three times higher than in 2000. Trade at Warrenpoint has diversified considerably and now includes a range of goods, recyclables and unitised freight, as well as a twice-daily Ro-Ro service to Heysham.
Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Chief Executive David Holmes said the findings reflected the Port's growing importance as a trade gateway. "This report highlights the Port's growing footprint, not only through increasing trade volumes, but the role it plays in sustaining thousands of jobs and driving economic growth across the island. Strategically positioned, Warrenpoint is a critical gateway for trade and a key enabler of long-term business growth, helping more companies develop, expand, and compete in global markets."
Mr Holmes added, "As a Trust Port, profits are reinvested into the harbour, its infrastructure, and the community. Through continued long-term investment and strategic initiatives, we will ensure that the benefits of growth are shared locally and that the Port continues to drive economic prosperity."
Chair of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Dr Gerard O'Hare CBE DL also welcomed the report's findings. "I welcome this report which demonstrates the vital role that Warrenpoint Harbour makes to Northern Ireland's economy and the importance of planning for its long-term future. As Chair, I am committed to ensuring the Port continues to grow in a way that is responsible and sustainable, supporting local communities and businesses while strengthening Northern Ireland's competitiveness in global trade."
The Port has recently signed a 55-year operating agreement with CLdN, one of Europe's leading short sea shipping and multimodal logistics operators, providing two-way trade links for manufacturers, distributors and logistics operators across Ireland and Great Britain.
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Fly Boy Pizza & Wings in Monaghan Street, Newry is marking its first birthday this month after what owners describes as a hugely successful opening year.
The company opened its first store in Coleraine before expanding to Armagh and Newry, and in the space of a year has served over 150,000 customers across the three locations while creating more than 70 jobs.
To celebrate the milestone, the brand is running a Buy One Get One Free offer on all large pizzas up to Sunday 29 March 2026. The promotion is available for both collection and delivery and can be accessed through the Fly Boy app or online at flyboy.pizza
Explaining their offer a spokesperson said; "From day one, our goal was to bring something fresh and exciting to the pizza and wings scene, and it's been amazing to see how well that's been received. This birthday offer is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has supported us so far, and we're just getting started. With more stores on the way, we're excited for what the future holds."
The brand, which specialises in pizza and wings with a focus on speed, flavour and consistency, has plans to open two further stores in 2026 and two more in 2027 as it continues to expand across the north.
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Hub Packaging based on the Newry Road Rathfriland has announced ambitious growth plans with the aim of reaching a turnover of £40m+ in the next five years.
The company have recently appointed David Quigley as Chief Revenue Officer to shape and drive the company’s commercial strategy and plans are already in place to significantly increase warehouse capacity and make further additions to the team to achieve these objectives.
Founded in 1977 by Ben Crozier, the family owned business has seen turnover increase from £3m to £20m over the past decade under CEO Andrew Ward. Now employing 45 full time staff across three generations, the company is enhancing its commercial focus as it scales for long term sustainable growth, whilst staying true to the family values and reputation established by the company’s founder.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Ward said: “Our mission is to be the packaging provider of choice for businesses across the Island of Ireland, and key to reaching this milestone will be building our team with strategic appointments who bring deep expertise and alignment to our culture and values. We remain deeply grounded in the values built over decades as a family business, with our core value of behaving with integrity and respect.”
Highlighting the shared vision of the company’s directors, this phase of growth will be supported and facilitated by strategic input from a diverse C-suite team including established leaders Martin Smyth, Chief Operating Officer and Lee McDowell, Chief Financial Officer alongside CEO Andrew Ward, with Chief Revenue Officer David Quigley’s recent appointment further reinforcing Hub Packaging’s commitment to their ambitious plans. With over 20 years of commercial leadership experience across multiple senior level roles at CocaCola Hellenic, Quigley is now responsible for shaping Hub Packaging’s strategy to double company turnover.
Commenting on Hub Packaging’s customer-centred approach David Quigley, Chief Revenue Officer said: “Continuous improvement is at the heart of everything we do. Our investments in digital platforms, automation and smarter processes will deliver greater efficiency, transparency and longterm value for our customers. Strong relationships drive our success, and as we grow, we will deepen our understanding of the industries we serve.”
Recent innovation includes the rollout of a B2B automated ordering portal, improving order flexibility, reducing manual input and improving customer experience. Today, the business partners with a significant number of Ireland’s top 1,000 companies, delivering solutions across rural communities and major urban centres.
With strengthened leadership, increased investment in technology and infrastructure, and a renewed focus on customercentred growth, Hub Packaging is strategically positioned for sustained expansion throughout the next decade. For more information, visit www.hub-packaging.com
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A Newry firm has been recognised at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's largest ever annual Contractor Health and Safety Awareness event, which drew more than 200 attendees to Antrim last month.
Bayview Contracts, based at Greenbank in Newry, received the Health and Safety Contractor of the Year Award in the Planned Maintenance Services category at the event, which brought construction and maintenance partners from across the north together to hear from leading industry experts and take part in discussions on raising safety standards.
Other award winners on the day included MAMO Building Services who took the award for Response Maintenance Services, while the most inspirational young person award went to John-Joe Madden, also from MAMO Building Services. Highly commended runners-up in that category were Laura McKee from CFM and Sean Watters from Mascott.
Presenting the awards, Paul Isherwood, Director of Asset Management, said: "Our Health and Safety Award winners have demonstrated impressive dedication to protecting their workforce, our tenants and staff. As a large landlord with a maintenance and repair budget of £250 million per annum, I am delighted to be working with organisations that prioritise a positive health and safety culture among contractors and their staff."
Topics covered during the event included the safe management of lithium-ion batteries, gas safety, working safely in tenants' homes, behavioural safety and mental health within the construction sector. Representatives from Air Ambulance NI and the Lighthouse Charity also addressed attendees, sharing details of their work supporting people across Northern Ireland.
A ballot held by Housing Executive staff on the day raised £975 for their charity partner, Air Ambulance NI.
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Newry and Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency has been contributing to the economic and social development of the Newry, South Armagh and South Down area since 1972 and in 2026 it is still as active as ever in driving business growth, workforce development and cross-border collaboration.
The Greater Newry Business Awards celebrated the Agency in 2025 for its half-century plus of work in transforming the region, a legacy described as reflecting not only economic impact but a longstanding commitment to peacebuilding and reconciliation through enterprise.
Over the past year the Agency has delivered a range of initiatives aimed at supporting local regeneration and business development. Among these was the completion of a Vacant Commercial Property Survey, providing data intended to inform urban renewal, support investment decisions and shape the future of town centres across the region.
International trade has also been a focus, with the Agency leading the Innovate Accelerate cross-border market investigation mission to Germany in December 2025, giving local companies the opportunity to explore new export opportunities and develop their global outlook.
The Agency's role in shaping economic policy was further underlined when it hosted the Economy Minister at its WIN Business Park headquarters in Newry for the official launch of the Newry, Mourne and Down Local Economic Partnership Action Plan.
At an individual level, the Agency has continued to provide mentorship and tailored support to young people facing significant adversity, helping to create pathways into employment and enterprise.
Looking ahead, the organisation has outlined plans to enhance service delivery across the four business sites it manages at WIN Business Park, Warrenpoint Enterprise Centre, Forkhill Enterprise Centre and Binnian Enterprise Centre, while continuing its work through the Newry, Mourne and Down Local Strategy Partnership and Labour Market Partnership, with workforce development and employability among the key priorities. Cross-border collaboration is also set to remain central to its work.
Dr Conor Patterson, Chief Executive of Newry and Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency, said: "Our work has always been rooted in supporting people, businesses and communities to realise their potential, and the past year has demonstrated the strength of that approach."
He added: "Equally important is the impact we make at an individual level, supporting young people facing significant challenges and helping them access pathways into employment and enterprise. This work is fundamental to building a more inclusive and resilient economy."
On the year ahead, Dr Patterson said: "As we look ahead to 2026, partnership will remain central to everything we do. By working collaboratively across local and cross-border networks, and continuing to invest in our sites and services, we are well positioned to support the next phase of growth and opportunity for businesses and communities throughout Newry, Mourne and Down."
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Newry-headquartered MJM Marine has secured a new contract with Azamara Cruises, continuing a relationship between the two organisations that stretches back to a major project back in 2018.
The deal, which was finalised in Newry and formally announced at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, will see MJM Marine carry out refit work on board the Azamara Quest cruise ship as part of 'Azamara Forward', the cruise line's largest fleetwide renovation to date.
The work will take place in Greece and covers a wide range of enhancements across the ship, including refreshed staterooms, redesigned public spaces, new dining concepts and reimagined social venues. Exclusively debuting on board the Azamara Quest is an entirely new Penthouse Deck, to be delivered by MJM Marine, which will feature 12 new suites.
The two organisations first worked together when MJM Marine carried out the refit of Azamara Pursuit in Belfast in 2018, at the time one of the largest and most complex cruise ship refits undertaken in the city. That project helped establish Belfast's standing as a centre for high-value marine work and laid the groundwork for the partnership that has followed.
Azamara Cruises, now under new ownership, operates a fleet of four ships and has continued to invest in its vessels. The decision to return to MJM Marine is seen as a reflection of the trust built between both organisations during that earlier work.
Gary Annett, CEO of MJM Marine, said: "We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Azamara Cruises on this significant Azamara Forward programme for 'Quest'. Our previous work together in Belfast on the 'Pursuit' established a strong foundation, upon which to build. This latest investment with MJM is a clear reflection of the trust built between both teams. It also allows us to continue to recruit and offer further employment opportunities in this growing sector. We look forward to delivering a successful outcome and helping bring Azamara Forward to life."
Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises, added: "This partnership with MJM Marine reflects our commitment to thoughtfully evolving the Azamara Cruises experience while delivering the highest-quality enhancements for our guests. Their deep understanding of our brand and our standards made them the natural choice to support the Azamara Forward programme."
The contract will further strengthen MJM Marine's position in the global cruise sector and support its continued growth across international shipyard locations.
Anyone interested in career opportunities linked to this or other international projects by MJM can visit mjmmarine.com.
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The co-founders of Newry-headquartered Kukoon, Ireland's largest rugs retailer, have been named as finalists in the 2026 EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme.
Brother and sister Paul Vallely and Clare Walsh were shortlisted after judges praised their drive and vision in growing the company from modest beginnings to record sales of £21 million and profits of £2.5 million.
Kukoon launched as an online retailer in 2006 and now ships around 8,000 rugs per week to customers across the world. The business is headquartered in Newry and also operates a store in Belfast. Paul and Clare will now join 23 other shortlisted companies from across the island of Ireland on the nine-month programme, which this year includes a CEO retreat in Canada as well as executive education, mentoring and networking with the wider EY Entrepreneur of the Year alumni community.
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year initiative is considered one of the strongest programmes of its kind globally, working to recognise and support Ireland's high-growth entrepreneurs.
Paul Vallely, co-founder and CEO of Kukoon, said: "Clare and I are thrilled to be named finalists, and we look forward to taking part in this globally renowned programme. For many businesses we are in challenging times, therefore, to be able to join such a brilliant community of entrepreneurs where we can learn from each other is particularly exciting. We are also excited to share with others the strategies and insights we have learnt on our journey with Kukoon.
"Kukoon's success has been built upon the support and determination of our team and with these brilliant people at our side we will continue to push the boundaries of performance, innovation and sustainability when it comes to our products."
Alongside its growth in direct sales, Kukoon has developed partnerships with Woodies and EZ Living Interiors. Through the latter, a selection of Kukoon rugs, including exclusive collaborations and washable collections, are available across all 21 EZ Living Interiors stores. The company has also recently launched its Flatwoven range, which is machine washable and made from eco-friendly fibres.
Rob Heron, Partner Lead for EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Northern Ireland, said: "Kukoon is a great example of what can be achieved when entrepreneurial drive is combined with a clear vision and a strong partnership. Paul and Clare have grown their business from very modest beginnings into a prominent brand serving customers across multiple markets. We are delighted to welcome them into the 2026 programme and wish them every success on the next stage of their entrepreneurial journey."
This year's finalists represent sectors including consumer, technology, health and construction. The overall winner will go on to represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monaco in June 2027.
Further information on Kukoon's range is available at www.kukoonrugs.com.
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JMK Solicitors has retained its position as the north's number one personal injury law firm for the 12th consecutive year.
Updated figures from the Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU), part of the Department for Communities, confirm that JMK led the Northern Ireland market in 2025 with 2,414 cases managed. The firm has held the top position since 2014. Founded in Newry the firm also has offices in Belfast and Derry.
Co-Founder Maurece Hutchinson said: "Our focus has always been on putting our clients first, providing a tailored service, and striving to achieve the best results possible. This commitment is reflected in our 99% client recommendation rate. Our decade-long success as Northern Ireland's number one personal injury firm is a testament to our passion for client care. Our team consistently goes the extra mile to ensure our Core Values are embedded in every aspect of our work. With over 21 years in business and more than ten years as the leading firm in personal injury law, our continued growth has recently led to an expansion of our leadership team to maintain the high standards of service that our clients expect and deserve."
The firm holds Lexcel accreditation, a quality mark awarded by the Law Society recognising legal practices that excel in practice management and client care. JMK has held the accreditation for eight years and has never incurred a non-conformance during its assessment history. Assessors have noted that the firm has "gone above and beyond compliance with the standard."
JMK Solicitors is also accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), a UK-wide organisation that has advocated for the rights of injured individuals for over 25 years. Three members of the firm's team, Andrew Moore, Sinead Toal and Una O'Neill, hold Senior Litigator accreditation from APIL.
Managing Director Louise Mone said: "We specialise in dealing with personal injury claims and car accidents and remain committed to maintaining the high standards of client care. Combined with our number one ranking and 99% client recommendation rate, this recognition reassures clients that we operate at the highest levels of legal excellence. At JMK, we put people at the heart of our business, tirelessly working to secure the best outcomes for our clients across Northern Ireland. With offices in Belfast, Newry, and Derry~Londonderry, and a strengthened leadership team, we look forward to continuing our success and maintaining our position as the leading personal injury law firm in the region."
Visit https://www.jmksolicitors.com for more information.
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