Latest news with #Ballymena
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
First look at revamped historic cinema in east Belfast
The first images of the major redevelopment of a historic art deco cinema in east Belfast have been released. CGI renders of the Strand cinema's new look show a redesigned building, with the original front canopy replaced by large windows, and a new rooftop sign in the same font as was previously used on the building The Strand, located at the junction of the Holywood and Belmont roads, is undergoing a £6.5m renovation and is scheduled to reopen in summer 2026. A new 'café-bar space' is being added to the front of the building, which will also feature three curved glass windows. As part of the development, 'the building's front façade will be restored with hand-glazed, blue-green terracotta tiles in the same material and style used when the doors first opened 90 years ago.' Accessibility features are being added, with level access and a new lift, while bike stands are being built to 'support active travel.' The reconstruction was designed by Hall Black Douglas architects, and work is being carried out by Ballymena firm Martin & Hamilton Construction, in a build that will create 150 construction-sector jobs. Funding for the redevelopment has come from a variety of sources, including £1.8m from Belfast City Council's Belfast Investment Fund, Levelling Up Funding UK, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston, Foyle Foundation and Ulster Garden Villages alongside a range of private investors. Commenting on the new renders, Mimi Turtle, CEO of the Strand, said: 'We are thrilled to be sharing these highly-anticipated CGIs, which give people a taste of what the new and improved Strand will look like when we reopen our doors next summer. 'It was essential to us that the building's heritage was both protected and celebrated, while implementing vital enhancements and features that will strengthen the Strand's offering for future generations to come. 'Over the coming months, our team will continue to support the wider community and keep everyone connected to our treasured venue. 'We've been hosting our popular silver-screenings in Belmont Bowling Club, and we're looking forward to sharing further updates on both the restoration progress, and community activities being held across different locations.' Until recently, the Strand had found a temporary home in Connswater shopping centre where it spend £15,000 to redecorate a unit near the entrance. They had been holding screenings there, and had displays through which they could share their archive with guests. However, they were forced to move out at short notice in March of this year when the shopping centre was placed into receivership. Strand have been putting on screenings in a variety of local sports clubs, and have plans to continue to do so over the summer. Mrs Turtle said the closure of Connswater had 'left a financial hole' that the charity would 'struggle to recuperate without a solid venue to operate out of over the next year.' Stand were one of five creative organisations that lost premises when Connswater closed which have since found new spaces to operate in, albeit three of them have had to move outside of east Belfast.
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Wrightbus secures new order for six new double decker buses for English city's transport service
The Ballymena bus-maker will provide half a dozen ultra-low emission diesel buses for Nottingham City Transport. The vehicles will be used for a long-distance route between Nottingham and Southwell. Production is due to start soon on the buses in the Ballymena factory, and they are set to begin service in Nottingham by the 'late autumn' of this year. The buses will have free WiFi and USB chargers, along with a table on the upper-deck and accessibility features including two wheelchair spaces, hearing loops and 'next stop displays that all customers can see.' Wrightbus currently employs over 2,300 people, and this year aims to produce 1,200 buses from its Ballymena factory. The company says that by 2027, it 'expects to support 7,200 UK supply chain jobs'. Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, said: "The combination of the latest generation of engines from Cummins and the latest technology from Voith, coupled with our industry-leading Micro Hybrid technology, means these StreetDeck Ultroliners offer optimal efficiency in the diesel market. 'We're delighted that Wrightbus ultra-low emission vehicles that have been designed and built here in the UK will soon be on the streets of Nottingham, offering passengers a comfortable journey while also helping to lower emissions. "While we are proudly known for being the largest provider of zero emission buses in Europe, the fact remains that not all operators can access the funding to make the immediate switch to zero-emission. 'As a leading bus manufacturer, our role is to make sure our diesel buses are as clean and efficient as possible and to ensure we can give them a second life as a zero-emission bus in the future through our NewPower business. 'Our blended approach to responsible technology, which includes battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and the cleanest technologies, ensures our customers can continue to decarbonise while maintaining financially viable operations.' David Astill, managing director at Nottingham City Transport, said: 'We are delighted to be working with Wrightbus to deliver a significant upgrade to our Pathfinder service, replacing buses that are over a decade old with brand new, quieter, low emission buses that will boast features that are designed for the long distance nature of the route. 'As one of our longest bus routes, battery electric buses aren't a viable or realistic option for Pathfinder 26 currently or in the immediate future, but these buses can be repowered by Wrightbus and their NewPower business in the future to be fully electric, which will be something we'll consider when battery technology advances further.' News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May The order is the latest secured in England by the famous bus company. Wrightbus has provided a large number of buses for use in London, and has recently announced an order of six EV vehicles for Kent. Outside the UK, the company has been doing a large amount of business in Germany, with an order for 28 hydrogen-powered buses with the Saarland-based firm Saarbahn.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘I soaked him in like a sponge' – Pamela Anderson says Naked Gun co-star Liam Neeson is a ‘legend'
The Irishman plays the role of Lt. Frank Drebin Jr in the sequel, alongside Anderson who plays a woman named Beth in the film. The Naked Gun franchise began with the Police Squad! series in 1982 before it became a film franchise, famous for sending up cop drama tropes and ridiculous visual jokes led by the late Leslie Nielsen. Originally billed as a reboot, the sequel coming this summer and starring the Taken actor will instead serve as a continuation of the series as Neeson plays the son of Nielsen's famous character. Speaking about Neeson and working with him in a comedy movie, as opposed to one of his more familiar action roles, the former Baywatch actress said she had a hard time keeping a straight face at times. She also spoke about their relationship on set, saying Neeson was "mysterious', 'inspiring' and the 'true gentleman', a sentiment the 72-year-old Ballymena man previously shared last year when he admitted he was 'madly in love' with his co-star. Anderson also said Neeson was "electric in a way'. "Our chemistry was clear from the start,' Anderson told Entertainment Weekly. "We have the utmost respect for one another. "He is a legend and deserving of the title. "I also baked my sourdough bread for therapy and regularly shared with him, along with cookies and muffins. "We had many dinners out with the cast. "I invited him and his assistant over for romantic dinners with me and my assistant so our relationship stayed 'professionally romantic' during filming. "I am in awe of him, his experience, and work ethic. ADVERTISEMENT "I soaked him in like a sponge.' The original Naked Gun movie raked in $152.4 million on a budget of $12 million. Rumours of another film had circulated since 2009, with reports stating that The Naked Gun: What 4? The Rhythm of Evil was in development, before being put on the back burner following the death of Nielsen in 2010. The return was confirmed by Paramount Pictures in 2013, but the project seemed to have been forgotten until October 2022 when the film was officially greenlit with The Lonely Island's Akiva Schaffer directing. Speaking about the movie, Anderson added: "It is the same depth of process for a high comedy as it is for a drama. "I worked hard on the role, another cathartic experience. Every film, it seems, tackles a deep-seated issue that needs to be expressed and surfaced in ways other than anything else. "I'm hoping people love it. We had so much fun making it. I think it's timely for a beloved comedy like this. I'm a fan of the originals. As Liam says: 'We could all use a good giggle.' I pray we do more.'
Belfast Telegraph
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
We can show staying power in the big league, declares Bangor dangerman Ben Arthurs
Bangor hero and PFA NI Championship Player of the Year Ben Arthurs says the north Down club's remarkable success story has not ended with promotion to the Sports Direct Premiership. The 26-year-old dangerman has now helped Bangor celebrate three League titles and three promotions as the Seasiders have emerged from the depths of the Ballymena and Provincial Intermediate League.
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
UFC win '15 years in the making'
Northern Ireland's Rhys McKee believes he has "finally arrived" in the UFC after recording his first win in the organisation on losing his opening four bouts in the UFC, the 29-year-old earned a 'Performance of the Night' accolade with an impressive stoppage win over Romania's Daniel Frunza."I probably never truly believed how good I was until this fight camp," McKee said after the bout."I have literally woken up every day dreaming about how I'm gonna finish this fight. I just knew I was going to win. It was in my heart and soul."The Ballymena fighter dropped Frunza multiple times throughout the opening round as he dominated the welterweight Romanian opponent made it to the bell at the end of the first but such was the volume of blows landed by McKee, the doctor made the decision to call the fight off."Rhys McKee has finally arrived to the UFC," the man nicknamed 'Skeletor' added after the victory."It was a detour over a few years but this win has been 14 or 15 years in the making and we got it done in true, Rhys McKee fight fashion."Being 0-4 in the UFC, many people wouldn't have had the confidence I had, and the guts I had to walk forward the way I was. There's still going to be a lot of people underestimate me, but bring them forward."McKee's last outing before Saturday's win was a split decision defeat to Chidi Njokuani in March 2024 but with victory now under his belt, the 29-year-old wants to keep active and is targeting more fights in 2025."I want three fights this year. To be honest, I don't even know what month it is so I'll sit back with the team and we'll develop more and work out when we're going next."
