Northern Ireland

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. 

Heineken rebrands Scottish and Newcastle Pub Company as Star Pubs and Bars

19-Nov-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Heineken has renamed its leased pub operator, the Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company, Star Pubs & Bars and extended its range of agreements, increased the flexibility of its existing leases and added new initiatives for lessees including a food...

Olympics style customer service training for thousands of hospitality staff in Northern Ireland

21-Dec-2011 By Peter Ruddick

Hospitality and tourism staff in Northern Ireland are set to receive WorldHost customer service training ahead of key events in the next two years including the Titanic Centenary and Derry-Londonderry’s period as the first UK City of Culture.

Smartphone pub tour app backed by Northern Ireland Tourist Board to boost Belfast pubs

15-Dec-2011 By Peter Ruddick

An iPhone and Android app designed to increase hospitality trade for Belfast pubs in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year is being backed by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the professional body, Pubs in Ulster.

Wetherspoon triumphs again at 2011 Loo of the Year Awards

12-Dec-2011 By Luke Nicholls

JD Wetherspoon has been awarded for having the best toilets across the hospitality industry at the Loo of the Year Awards 2011.