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New developments at Glenarm Castle
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Hospitality plays its part in vaccination roll out
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Great to see The Tullyglass Hotel in Ballymena being used in January as a vaccination centre to help get the COVID-19 vaccine out to as many people as possible. They literally put out the red carpet, to welcome those aged 80+. Once again, showing hospitality venues really are at the heart of the community.
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Training opportunities still available
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Northern Regional College
If you have been furloughed, made redundant or facing risk of redundancy, this could be the time to step back and reassess your career direction. Click here for details on free online courses allowing you to retrain, develop new skills and gain a qualification with the college.
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The Open University, in partnership with the Department for the Economy, is offering a limited number of short course places for those whose employment has been affected by COVID-19. More details here. Applications close at 2pm on Wednesday 10 February 2021.
Tourism NI
There are lots of fantastic webinars available on the Tourism NI website including useful marketing guidance.
You can find full details on all free training opportunities available in Northern Ireland here.
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Works underway for new Inver River Hotel
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Former Dan Campbells pub and The Thatch bar, were recently demolished to make way for the new £3.2m Inver River Hotel, which is due to open in spring 2022. The 24-bedroom 4-star hotel will bring a new era for tourism in Larne.
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Recognition for Carnlough hotelier
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Congratulations to Denise Hunt (O’Neill), the owner of The Londonderry Arms Hotel who was recently awarded a BEM in the New Year Honours list for her services to hospitality and the Carnlough community. It's been a difficult year for the hospitality sector so fantastic to see Denise being recognised and starting the year on a high note. Full story here.
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Latest industry support measures
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Coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Northern Ireland were extended until 5 March with additional restrictions applied. Another review of the measures will take place on 18 February 2021.
Localised Restrictions Support Scheme
Phase 6 is now underway. A top up payment will automatically be issued to successful applicants week commencing 8 February 2021, covering from 6 February to 5 March 2021. The Covid Restrictions Business Support Schemes Part A & B are also both open.
Covid-19 Micro-business E-commerce Grant for retailers (NEW FUND)
To check criteria, eligibility and how to apply click here. Applications close when the available budget is fully allocated: or on the closing date of 6pm on Friday 12 March 2021, whichever comes first.
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Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
Details about the fourth grant will be announced on 3 March 2021.
Bed and Breakfast, Guest House and Guest Accommodation Scheme
Aims to support around 900 providers to continue to deliver much needed tourist accommodation in 2021 and beyond. Closes for applications at 5pm on 11 February 2021. Full details here.
Large Tourism and Hospitality Business Support Scheme (LTHBSS)
Open to businesses with total Net Annual Value of £51,001. More details here.
Limited Company Director's Support Scheme
Grant was increased from £1K to £3.5K. Closes at 6pm on 18 February 2021.
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New virtual experience for US Rangers Centre
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Our museums might remain closed but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. You can now visit the US Rangers Museum in Carrickfergus, from the comfort of your own home with an amazing new virtual tour. Completely refurbished in 2017, the museum is dedicated to the US Rangers, the elite American army regiment formed at Sunnylands Camp in Carrickfergus in June 1942 – still the only US unit to be formed on foreign soil. Find out more details here.
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Extension for 'We're Good to Go' scheme
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'We're Good To Go' , the official UK-wide mark has now been extended into 2021. It symbolises that your business has worked hard to follow government and industry guidelines regarding COVID-19 and is safe for customers, when regulations allow their return. It's free to register and will be an essential requirement for future marketing campaigns. Previous applicants are not required to re-register and will receive instructions on how to download a personalised 2021 certificate.
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Hospitality boost with NOW Group
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In partnership with NOW Group, Council is looking for local people to participate in a 6-week classroom-based hospitality course, followed by a 1 day a week work placement for 6 weeks in a local hospitality or catering business. All applicants must be at least 18 years old and based in Mid and East Antrim. The programme is currently recruiting for the next course due to start in February 2021 and is open to the unemployed, those seeking a new career or wishing to return to work. The NOW Group also supports people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future.
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New Ancestral Adventures with Roots Revealed
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Fantastic news that one of our ‘Storify’ pilot businesses was chosen to become a new Tourism NI brand experience for their bespoke genealogy tours known as ‘Ancestral Adventures.' If you know of anyone wanting to trace their genealogy in Northern Ireland, then walk in their family’s footsteps, there’s no better business than Roots Revealed in Ballymena. Natalie has already been busy promoting to the US Travel trade through Tourism Ireland & Tourism NI, with over 1000 travel trade representatives learning more about her business.
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Antrim Coast Half Marathon joins world stage
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SAVE THE DATE - The Antrim Coast Half Marathon, will take place on 29 August this year and has been added to the World Athletics prestigious series of Road Race Label Events. It's the first time an Irish race has been included in the worldwide schedule. The event now joins the Virgin Money London Marathon and the Cardiff University Cardiff Half Marathon as the UK’s only 3 races in the series. Additions to the wider experience include a post-event party and kid's race.
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A warm welcome will await the best runners in the world to one of the most beautiful roads in the world! For more details click here.
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Latest webinars from Tourism NI
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As part of the ongoing Tourism Enterprise Development (TED) Programme, Tourism NI has developed a series of people focused AND sales focused webinars.
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The Thursday sessions will have a live Q&A opportunity with their experts, while the Monday sessions will be a recorded broadcast ‘second look’ with a facility to submit questions which will be addressed via email post event.
For more details and to register click here. Alternatively you can watch future recorded webinars at your leisure here.
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Yes You Can with Women in Business
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Yes You Can, in collaboration with Invest Northern Ireland and the 11 Local NI District Councils are bringing a new series of female entrepreneur webinars on key business topics. Want to discover how to get money back into your business, create a value proposition that will stand your business in good stead for years to come, or learn essential pitching techniques to generate more money? Then Women in Business NI are here to help. For more information click here.
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Yes You Can Explore It 2021
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Recruitment is underway for the 2021 Women in Business, Yes You Can Explore It Programme. If you're an aspiring female entrepreneur with a business idea or you're at the early stages of starting your business, this programme is ideal for you. It includes 6(2-2.5hr) workshops, 3 half day digital marketing sessions, 3 evening brainstorming sessions (2hrs), 1-2-1 buddy support and peer networking. For more details or to download an application form click here. The deadline for applications is 19 February 2021.
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Spring into retail with useful webinars
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Spring into Retail 2021 is a free bespoke retail programme designed to support local businesses and help them prepare for a post lockdown opening in the Spring. You can watch the 30 minute videos at any time and don’t need to register. Topics include:
• Branding;
• Visual merchandising and display;
• Social media marketing;
• Photography tips; and
• Customer service excellence.
There are also great notes to download.
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Exploring your roots with the experts
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During the month of February, join free on-line webinars presented by Mid and East Antrim's Museum & Heritage Service. These specially tailored webinars explore aspects of family history research using local sites and Mid and East Antrim museum collections. The webinars are aimed at people who are interested in family history research or those who may be starting out in their journey of discovery. For further details or to book your place check out events here.
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Virtual industry gatherings and networking
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With no traditional exhibitions and trade shows, January still proved to be a busy month with lots of online industry networking and Council were pleased to represent the area at Britain & Ireland Marketplace and the Tourism NI Meet The Industry events. Also coming up in February is the ITOA (Incoming Tour Operators Association of Ireland) workshop, organised by Tourism NI.
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Tourism NI have announced that their Virtual Meet the Buyer Workshop will return again this year, taking place from 20 - 22 April 2021. Expressions of Interest to attend must be submitted before 5pm on Tuesday 16 February 2021. More details here.
To keep up to date with all Tourism NI industry news and events sign up here.
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Share your stories with Tourism NI
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Do you have content to share with Tourism NI or a story to tell? They are asking industry to help engage and inform audiences across their digital and PR channels to keep N.Ireland front of mind. Think content for Valentine’s Day (14 Feb), Random Acts of Kindness Day (17 Feb), St Patrick’s Day, My Giant Adventure & Stay at home. Details here.
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Have your say on key issues
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Self Catering Survey
PASC UK are working with the ASSC (Association of Scotland’s Self -Caterers) to research and prepare a UK wide self-catering survey. The aim is to produce the most substantive assessment of the size and value of this sector ever undertaken. It will cover all the UK and provide information on a country, region or county level. Survey online here. |
Ballymena and Larne Investment Plans
Council are teaming up with The Department for Communities to create a 10 year investment plan to rejuvenate Larne and Ballymena town centres. They want to to hear your thoughts, so check it out here to see how you can get involved. The consultation closes on 15 February 2021 so make sure you have your say.
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Call out to local creatives
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Awards & funding opportunities
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The inaugural Women In Business Inspiring Women Awards
These awards celebrate women from all walks of life who have gone above and beyond to unite and inspire, and have changed the lives of others for the better. An online awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 7 March 2021. Nominate here.
Virgin Media Business Ireland
The search is on for local legends from across Northern Ireland. Do you know someone or an organisation that has stepped up during the pandemic? They could win a £10k tech makeover including Gig1broadband. Find out more here. Closes Monday 8 February 2021.
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Broadband Connectivity
DCMS launched a scheme in 2020 to improve broadband connectivity in event venues, enabling them to receive full fibre access. The second round of the broadband competition for event venues, with a minimum capacity of 250 delegates, is now open until 2 March 2021. More details available here.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
This will open for Phase 2 on Monday 8 February 2021 with grants of between £100,000 to £250,000 and £250,000 to £5m available for projects based in Northern Ireland that will encourage engagement with their local heritage. More details here.
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A ghostly new tv series on BBC 2 NI, entitled ‘Afeared’ , features Ballygally Castle, Galgorm Castle and Redhall Estate in Ballycarry. The series is co-presented by journalist, tour guide and local historian, Dr. David Hume. Episodes on BBC iPlayer here.
Sorry to hear that the Astor, one of the first commercial passenger vessels to use the port of Larne in August 2019 is beached in a scrappage yard in Turkey.
The Ballygally Castle was delighted to be selected for the number 1 spot on Prima's list of the UK's best seaside hotels to check into when we can travel again!
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The former 9.5 acre Glenarm school site on Straidkilly Road is for sale as a village centre regeneration and development opportunity. Property details here.
If you missed it check out 'Chronicles of The Glens' a 4 part documentary series on BBC 1 NI. Great to see Glenarm and Carnlough both featuring and Tiffany and Robert from Twilight Coffee and Bunkhouse telling their story. Episodes on BBC iPlayer here.
PRS for Music announced the launch of a new Online Live Concert licence for small-scale livestreamed gigs.
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Upcoming industry meetings / webinars
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Try out some traditional recipes
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In January 2019, The Ulster-Scots Agency spent two days filming at Arthur Cottage in Cullybackey, with local celebrity chef Paula McIntyre MBE, as she prepared a number of Ulster-Scots inspired dishes. Paula cooked some of the dishes in the traditional way on a griddle over the turf fire. The series of 12 short videos are all available online, so if you want something new to make then why not give these special recipes a try.
No banana bread here!
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