Northern Ireland

Hospitality venues in Northern Ireland saddled with four-week 'circuit breaker' closure - updated

14-Oct-2020 By James McAllister

Restaurants and pubs in Northern Ireland must close for four weeks from Friday (16 October) under tough new 'circuit breaker' restrictions.

Opening of wet-led pubs in Northern Ireland delayed again

27-Aug-2020 By James McAllister

Wet-led pubs in Northern Ireland will not be allowed to reopen next week as planned, the country's Executive Office has said.

Hospitality Ulster seeks rescue package for Northern Ireland's wet-led pubs

10-Aug-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Trade body Hospitality Ulster is calling on the the Northern Ireland Executive to create a rescue package for wet-led pubs, which have been told they can’t open until 1 September at the earliest.

Pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland given green light to reopen earlier than planned

16-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Stormont Executive has agreed to bring forward the reopening days of pubs, restaurants and hotels in Northern Ireland to 3 July.

Government to consider cutting Tourism VAT in Northern Ireland

27-Jun-2017 By Sophie Witts

The Government is to reconsider the rate of Tourism VAT in Northern Ireland as part of the Conservative deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

EasyHotel to make Northern Irish debut

11-Jan-2017 By Sophie Witts

‘Super-budget’ brand EasyHotel is to open its first site in Northern Ireland above chef Michael Deane’s Michelin-starred Deanes Eipic restaurant in Belfast.

The Three Chimneys founder and HIT Training exec chairman on Queen's 90th Birthday Honours List

13-Jun-2016 By Emma Eversham and Sophie Witts

Shirley Spear, the founder of Isle of Skye restaurant The Three Chimneys and John Hyde, executive training of hospitality training provider HIT Training are among those receiving honours in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list. 

Could MPs scrap tourism tax in Northern Ireland?

10-Nov-2015 By Sophie Witts

MPs have launched an inquiry in to whether Northern Irish hospitality businesses are being damaged by the UK's tourism tax.

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse to open in Belfast's Park Avenue Hotel

01-Sep-2015 By Emma Eversham

Northern Ireland's first Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill is set to open within Belfast's Park Avenue Hotel next month. 

Beannchor plans £4m Belfast hotel

17-Jun-2015 By Emma Eversham

Northern Ireland based hospitality group Beannchor has announced plans to open a £4m 55-bedroom hotel in Belfast city centre. 

Small Talk

Will Brown on Northern Ireland's food scene and the benefits of local sourcing

23-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

Great British Menu chef Will Brown recently refurbished the Old Schoolhouse Inn, introducing a new menu that combines Northern Irish classics with modern European ingredients, and was rewarded with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

The Eagle Bar and Grill opens at Galgorm

19-Feb-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

A former Northern Ireland Chef of the Year has teamed up with the Mourne Seafood franchise to open a new restaurant at Galgorm Castle Golf Club.

BBPA partners with Pubs of Ulster

18-Dec-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has formed a new partnership with Pubs of Ulster, the professional body of the Retail Licensed Trade in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's Galgorm Resort & Spa plans £10m expansion

14-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

The owners of the Galgorm Resort & Spa in Ballymena, County Antrim are planning to invest £10m into expansion plans to help grow the business.

Northern Ireland's hotels 'challenged' by lower VAT rates in Republic of Ireland

09-Aug-2013 By Emma Eversham

Hotels in Northern Ireland say they are struggling to compete against hotels across the border in the Republic of Ireland because the VAT rate for hospitality and tourism businesses there is lower.