Latest news with #CaoimheArchibald
Belfast Telegraph
24 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Mela returns to Belfast with its most ambitious programme ever celebrating cultural diversity
Launching on Thursday, the 19th Belfast Mela was officially opened at Tetto – the Bullitt Hotel's rooftop restaurant – by Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly and Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald. The event opened with a performance by Kenyan-born musician Njambi, as well as a cross-cultural dance performed by the South Asian Dance Academy and Irish Entertainment Group. Last year's 18th annual Mela saw almost 60,000 people turned up for the festivities. This year will see events taking place up until August 24, celebrating diversity through food, dance, music and other cultural practices. One ambitious new programme is the Mela International Residency programme, an exchange between international artists supported by the Arts Council of NI and the Parbha Khaitan Foundation. The festival starts on August 16 at 12.30pm, when visitors will be treated to the much-loved carnival of lights, which will light up the streets of Belfast for a fourth consecutive year. Hundred of artists and those in traditional dress will parade through Writer's Square to City Hall, alongside floats and music. The celebrations will continue with a free Mini Mela from 1-4pm, hosted by U105's Carolyn Stewart and UTV's Paul Reilly, with live performances, workshops and family friendly fun. On the same day from 2-3pm will feature the centrepiece, the When Worlds Collide moving outdoor theatre. This poignant tale follows two young girls - one from the mangroves of the Sundarbans, the other from Belfast's rivers - who unite through themes of climate crisis, ancestral heritage and digital activism. It blends storytelling, original music and dance into a stirring call for environmental action created and performed by young people from across the city and beyond. For the very first time, the magic of Mela will be brought to the Cathedral Quarter, supported by CQ BID. St Anne's Square, Commercial Court and Cotton Court will come alive with Dhol drummers, Chinese Lion and Dragon dancers, Bollywood and Mexican dancers along with SPARK drummers from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. On August 20 at 7pm, the Silk Road Supper Club will return to Holohan's Pantry with a journey to Tunisia, led by Cathago Head Chef, Sadeh Cyndi. The Ulster Museum will host their Shared World's exhibit on August 22 at 2pm, it will include the works of global artists, including Indian poet Dr Sanjukta Das Gupta, and local writer Alicia McCauley. At 7pm that day, the Lyric theatre will host a dynamic performance of Tāla, featuring renowned Kathak dancer Shinjini Kumar, alongside percussionist Rishiraj Kulkarni. For the finale on August 24, from noon to 6pm, the Mela Day will return to Botanic Gardens. There, thousands will once again flock to enjoy sights, music, traditions and tastes from around the world. Founder of Belfast Mela and Director of ArtsEkta, Nisha Tandon OBE said 'we're proud to unveil our most ambitious programme'. 'Mela continues to flourish as a shared space of creativity, connection and belonging,' said the founder. 'This year, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors from across the island of Ireland and beyond to experience the magic of Mela – a powerful showcase of diversity, unity, and the transformative power of the arts.' While the Mela Carnival is free, Mela Day tickets are £12 for adults, £9 for concession and £24 for family (two adults two children under 16). Children under five go free.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Executive considering storm compensation law
The Northern Ireland Executive could make compensation a legal right for households which lose electricity supplies during extreme Ireland is currently the only part of the UK which does not have such a compensation led to humiliation for Executive ministers in the wake of Storm Éowyn earlier this first and deputy first ministers had called for the grid owner Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks to make voluntary "goodwill" payments, but it declined to do so. Stormont's Department for the Economy later issued a statement in defence of NIE saying "no other electricity company shareholders in Britain or Ireland have been asked to bear the cost of compensation for Storm Éowyn which was an unprecedented weather event."NIE's only significant shareholder is the Irish department says the independent Utility Regulator will now revisit a consultation from suggested initial compensation of £70 for loss of power with subsequent payments for every 12 hours a household is off supply, up to a cap of £ Executive did not act on those recommendations. Announcing the new consultation, the Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald cautioned that a compensation scheme would have implications for all consumers."For example, having a smaller population than Britain, the cost of payments after a major storm would be shared among fewer people, meaning the cost to each consumer would be greater," she said."The administrative costs of any scheme could potentially also be relatively high."Earlier this year, Archibald expressed scepticism about any scheme which would mean higher costs overall. The regulator's consultation will run between October and December with recommendations due to be presented in March 2026."My department will then, without delay, bring forward new regulations if required in response to any changes agreed by the Executive," Archibald said.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Terms of compensation scheme for losing power reviewed
The terms of a compensation scheme for households who lose power due to severe weather are being reviewed. It comes after NIE Networks did not make payouts following Storm Eowyn after a severe weather exemption was applied. The storm in January left widespread destruction across areas of Northern Ireland, and almost 326,000 homes and businesses without power. Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the issue was brought into 'sharp focus' by Storm Eowyn. She made a written statement to the Assembly on the Utility Regulator's (UR's) consultation of the Electricity Guaranteed Standards of Service (GSS). 'Currently these standards allow the electricity distribution company – NIE Networks – to apply for an exemption in cases of severe weather events. This exemption cannot be overruled by government,' she said. 'This issue was brought into sharp relief by Storm Eowyn – which left many households without electricity. 'The Utility Regulator is carrying out a fresh consultation on a range of GSS issues and it will include options for payments in severe weather conditions, along with the likely costs of those options.' The consultation is to be published in the week commencing October 27. The Utility Regulator will offer its decision paper and draft regulations to the Department for the Economy in March 2026. Ms Archibald added that NIE Networks has commenced a strategic review of network resilience and its response to severe weather events.
Belfast Telegraph
24-07-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Co Down food manufacturer plans 130 new jobs as part of £19m investment
Deli Lites is set to spend £19m increasing automation, broadening product ranges and upskilling the current workforce, along with hiring new staff. The company is also aiming to reduce food waste by as much as 50%, expand its heat-to-eat product range, and grow its business in supplying food to airlines. Of the overall investment, £12.8m will be spent on increasing automation, while £6m will be used for upskilling current staff and hiring others. The investment was announced during an event at Deli Lites' Warrenpoint facility on Thursday, which was attended by the Economy Minister. Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: 'The North's food and drink processing sector is a true local success story, with latest statistics showing that it generates £6.5bn in sales and supports over 25,500 jobs across our towns and countryside. 'This investment will unlock significant growth opportunities for Deli Lites in this exciting sector. 'Increased capacity and new automated equipment will boost productivity and enable it to expand its fresh and frozen ranges, growing its sales in Britain and Ireland, and open up additional export markets. 'With 78% of our food and drink sold outside the North, this industry showcases the quality, innovation, and global appeal of what we produce right here at home. 'The creation of 130 new jobs in Warrenpoint, which will help leverage almost £10m in wages and salaries across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area by 2027, is also good news as we work to deliver a more regionally balanced economy.' Deli Lites was founded by husband and wife Brian and Jackie Reid in 1998. It makes sandwiches and other food-to-go products, with its customers including Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Applegreen and Costa Coffee. CEO Brian Reid said: 'We are now an all-Ireland business with export sales growing in international markets. 'We've always been a trailblazer in our sector, shown when we became the first sandwich maker in the UK and Ireland to achieve B Corp certification.' Jackie Reid, chief strategy officer, added: 'Bringing even more products to our snacking and convenience range and investing in production and automation will significantly increase our capacity and customer reach. 'We're delighted to be growing our team in Warrenpoint to bring further expertise into the business and help us achieve our vision, to transform how the world experiences food on the move.' Deli Lites' investment is being backed by Invest NI's Agri-Food Investment Initiative, a £46m scheme designed to 'support local agri-food and drink processors to improve competitiveness and productivity'. Gráinne Moody, director of food and drink at Invest NI, said: 'This significant project builds on our previous support for Deli Lites to develop its product range for the European market. Its success has positioned the company to become a key supplier for the global airlines sector. 'This new project will increase innovation and boost productivity by transforming labour-intensive processes and increasing digitalisation. Our overseas trade teams are also working with Deli Lites to explore new international markets as it grows.'
ITV News
18-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Plans unveiled for Northern Ireland's first new championship links golf course for 100 years
Plans to create the first championship-standard links golf course in Northern Ireland for more than 100 years have been announced. Hospitality group Galgorm Collection is investing £30 million in building the course at Bellarena on the north west coast between Limavady and Coleraine. The announcement comes as the region continues to play host to the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club around 20 miles away. Golf tourism in Northern Ireland generates £86 million annually – a figure that has increased 66% since Portrush last hosted the Open in 2019 – but tourist bosses have highlighted that capacity is a limiting factor in driving further growth, with only so many visitors being able to play on the region's landmark seaside links course at any one time. Tourism NI has previously flagged a desire for a new course to be built and Friday's announcement means that is set to become reality in four years, with Galgorm Collection planning to open its new course in 2029. The company already owns and runs the championship parkland course at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and a course at Roe Valley in Limavady. Subject to planning permission being approved, Galgorm Collection said development of Bellarena Golf Links will start next year. It said building the course would bring its total investment in the north west to around £65 million, creating an additional 300 jobs. Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston said: 'Our exciting plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena on Northern Ireland's stunning north west coast will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify our outstanding and award-winning credentials while also creating hundreds of jobs. 'Preparatory work is already well under way that could pave the way for development from next year before we welcome our first guests in 2029. 'We look forward to consulting widely on our plans and engaging stakeholders at every level to ensure collective, shared success for the local community, the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole.' Stormont's Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the announcement. 'Golf tourism generated a record £86 million for the region last year and this month's Open at Royal Portrush will help to increase this impact even further,' she said. 'I commend the Galgorm Collection team for their confidence and ambition in supporting our drive to amplify the regional prosperity which the sport can bring.' Tourism Northern Ireland Board chair Ellvena Graham said: 'With a rich heritage and stunning views, Northern Ireland is a highly sought-after destination for golfers from across the globe and our golf strategy focuses on maximising our strengths to continue to grow this crucially important part of our tourism offer. 'Galgorm Collection has been a pioneer in developing an outstanding, internationally acclaimed tourism product and I'm delighted that this key, experienced tourism stakeholder is further investing in this area.' East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said the development would deliver a 'major economic boost' to the north west region and also help showcase its natural assets. 'This investment will also help ensure that the benefits of tourism are more widely spread, supporting local growth and prosperity,' he said. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
