An initiative that saw additional dedicated police officers patrolling Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter has been welcomed as a proven success story by Destination CQ’s manager Damien Corr.

The Ballot for the continuation of the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) is currently open until September 22. In an independent survey carried out in advance of the ballot, the Street Beat (#streetbeat) programme was seen as one of the key projects that adds value for businesses and organisations in the area, over 90% of respondents prioritised it for inclusion in the Business Plan for the next 5 years.

The StreetBeat officers are paid for by the BID and are additional to the normal policing provided by PSNI. The initiative was a direct response to local business owners’ concerns regarding antisocial activity within the areas. 

BID manager Damien Corr said: “As the businesses are paying for the service, it was essential that they felt in ‘control’, accordingly the officers have a designated phone which our Cathedral Quarter businesses can call direct 07787432635. This ability to bypass the general PSNI Switchboard is key to a more effective localised response.”

The officers patrol the area on foot and in their distinctive CQ street beat branded vehicle, dealing with anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. They also visit premises offering practical security and personnel safety advice and equipment.

StreetBeat PSNI officer Michael Gillies added: “Being given the time and support both by the BID and PSNI management, I have been allowed to focus my work specifically within the Cathedral Quarter and its needs. 

“This has helped to strengthen relationships already made with businesses and also to forge new ones. It’s back to basics Neighbourhood policing, only this time the neighbourhood is my local business community”.

However, the future of the scheme in the Cathedral Quarter relies on a ‘yes’ vote for a new five-year term for the Business Improvement District organisation Destination CQ.

With ballot papers already issued and voting by post closing on September 22, Mr Corr is keen to remind voters of what could be lost without their votes.

“The BID levy payers have told us that they really appreciate the work done by our Street Beat officers who, between them, have provided 2080 extra policing hours targeted patrolling,” he said. 

“They were particularly effective over lockdown when lots of properties were left unattended. Our officers continued to patrol, checking on closed business premises and providing assurance and practical assistance to those who continued to work.

“It is a simple reality, that unless we get a yes vote in the ballot, aloof this additional targeted policing will be lost to Cathedral Quarter.”

Sorcha Woolsy, Operations Director of Beannchor with a number of businesses in the BID area said the BID has carried out a number of projects that have impacted the Beannchor suite of businesses.

“The one that really stands out to me is the provision of the City Centre Beat Officers,” she added.

“It’s a really good example of an initiative that a BID can provide that an individual business could not on their own. 

“For me, it is imperative to vote yes on the re-ballot of the BID. The collective energy and brainpower and money of a group of businesses all pulling in the same direction for the betterment of this area will inevitably gain better results than individual businesses doing little bits and pieces on their own.”

For more information on the work of Destination CQ and Street Beat go to cathedralquarterbelfast.com or contact Damien Corr on 02890 314 011.

One Giant Weekend in partnership with the LCC Group, was One Giant Celebration of fun which took place across three of the Council’s iconic venues from Friday 3 – Sunday 5 September.

A celebration of Northern Irish music, culture, taste and traditions as part of the Council’s Northern Ireland Centenary programme ‘A Country’s Centenary for Our Community.’

V36 at The Valley was rocking on Friday night as the best of our local artists took to the stage including up and coming hip-hop star Jordan Adetunji and Newtownabbey Arts and Culture Network. The evening concluded with a spectacular Fireworks display lighting up the night sky.

At Antrim Castle Gardens, Carson and the Lady, a new drama by local playwright Michael Cameron funded by the Shared History Fund, took place on Friday and Saturday evening in the stunning setting of the castle ruins. This high society drama is a story about Lady Jean Massereene and her close friend and political hero Sir Edward Carson, amongst the audience enjoying this great drama was Lord Massereene. 

The award-winning Antrim Castle Gardens was a hive of activity for One Giant Picnic on Saturday afternoon, the crowds were in great spirits as they relaxed on the main event field with their culinary delights where they were treated to an afternoon of fabulous music from the Armagh Rhymers, Jordan Walker and Bjorn Identity-Abba Tribute Band. Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin had a captive audience as TV presenter Claire McCollum hosted a Q&A session where Diarmuid offered advice and tips on all things gardening, the gardening expert also launched Garden Show Ireland 2022 which will return to Antrim Castle Gardens from Friday 29 April – Sunday 1 May.  The Parterre Gardens was the perfect setting for more intimate performances from Northern Ireland Opera and Ronnie Greer. Mr Hullabaloo and Mr Bloom where also Giant hits with the children.

On Saturday evening Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland headlined One Giant Concert at Theatre at The Mill with a sensational musical performance to an invited audience who were dazzled by Northern Ireland’s world class talent.

Spinning Yarns at Mossley Mill brought One Giant Weekend to a close on Sunday with a marvellous range of Market traders, demonstrations and workshops celebrating the wonderful world of all things associated with wool and linen. A great line up of music including Ballyduff Silver band and Campbell College Pipe and Drum Band added to the ambience of this colourful event.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Billy Webb said “One Giant Weekend was a Giant success, bringing our communities together. This three day festival was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the best of Northern Ireland talent across the Borough. It was great to see so many people enjoying and supporting the diverse and inclusive programme that had so much to offer for young and old alike”

Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District, Destination CQ, has for five years been the collective voice for every business in the area, lobbying and consulting with local and regional government and government agencies.

Destination CQ Manager, Damien Corr said the ability to go to these organisations and speak for everyone in the Cathedral Quarter, Smithfield and Union, is one that can’t go unnoticed.

“We are involved in most stakeholder groups in the city and that’s something that our levy payers don’t see a lot of,” he explained. 

“It takes up a lot of our time but it’s very worthwhile.

“The ability to lobby for individual businesses, or for the entire area, direct to departments is important, and we work away on issues until we are successful or reach an acceptable compromise.”

The pressures of the pandemic, shop closures and the complete halt to tourism have affected the economy as a whole but it also had a significant effect on the Cathedral Quarter. This inner-city neighbourhood, characterised by arts, culture, restaurants, entertainment and independent shops relies on tourists and visitors to survive.  

Over the past five years, Destination CQ has represented business interests at City Reopening Stakeholder Group, City Centre Anti-Social Behaviour Action Group and the Small Business Forum.

At present there is a ballot to continue the BID’s work for a further five years and voting Yes to the BID means local businesses can present a unified front and have a collective voice when engaging with the various stakeholders, either local government or assembly level.

When asked about the importance of banding together to present a collective voice, Sorcha Wolsey, Operations Director for the Beannchor Group and Destination CQ BID Board member said it was important that businesses come together.

“The collective energy, brainpower and money of a group of businesses all pulling in the same direction for the betterment of this area will inevitably gain better results than individual businesses doing little bits and pieces on their own,” she said.

The business improvement district has been actively championing the area, partnering with promotional activities such as the government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme to help restaurants in the area recover from the effects of the pandemic. 

There have been numerous BID led initiatives that greatly benefited businesses in the neighbourhood. Culture Night and Restaurant Week are just some examples of the projects that make CQ a vibrant place to do business. 

Board member and Director of Quigg Golden, Gavin Hendrie said Cathedral Quarter needed a body to explain the issues and promote the area.

“We need a champion for the area,” he explained. “We need the BID to help advertise the CQ as a place to come, to maintain the sense of vibrancy that we’ve known in the past and perhaps lost in the last 18 months.”

Supporting local businesses remains one of the three pillars the Business Improvement District plans to focus on in term two. Collective advocacy is still a priority with creating a strong alliance among stakeholders and ensuring BID members’ voice is heard in key city-wide discussions.

Les Hume, Vice-Chair of CQ BID explained why it is crucial to be represented as a collective:

“By being part of a collective we can present a reasoned, well thought through debate, we can actually bring our concerns and our troubles to the people who make the key decisions,” he said. 

“I think that in the next five years we’re going to have even greater challenges as we try to build Belfast back better.

“To vote yes for this BID process means that your voice can be heard, along with mine hopefully. Together we’ll make Belfast better.

“Individually we will struggle. That’s what I think is good about a Business Improvement District, so please do consider voting yes.”

For more information on how the work of Destination CQ BID can benefit your business go to cathedralquarterbelfast.com or contact Damien Corr on 02890 314 011.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is celebrating Good Relations Week 2021 with outdoor screenings of the animation Gnomeo and Juliet in Portstewart and Limavady.

The free screenings will take place on Saturday 18th September at 2pm at Drumceatt Square outside Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, and on the outdoor terrace at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart on Saturday 25th September at 2pm.

Billed as a comical re-boot of Shakespeare’s play, the popular animation takes place in the world of warring red gnomes and blue gnomes, separated by a garden fence.

Bring your own seat, a picnic and remember to dress for outdoor weather. The events are free but ticket numbers are limited. Social distancing restrictions will apply. 

To book tickets for the screening in Limavady visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-outdoor-film-screening-gnomeo-juliet-limavady-tickets-168705120557

To book tickets for the screening in Portstewart visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-outdoor-film-screening-gnomeo-juliet-portstewart-tickets-168708500667

Registration for both will be live from Friday 3rd September.

For more information go to  www.roevalleyarts.com or www.flowerfield.org or contact karen.smyth@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

These events are supported by the Executive Office, through the Together: Building a United Community, District Council Good Relations Programme and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. 

Further information about Good Relations Week can be found at www.goodrelationsweek.com.

Calling All Budding Entrepreneurs & Those Who Want To Improve Their Employability Prospects

Enterprise Causeway is offering people the chance to begin to chart the way to setting up their own business or investigate new employability prospects through its free Exploring Enterprise Programme.

Open to those who are unemployed, or working less than 16 hours per week, the course helps participants assess business ideas and job opportunities through group training and individual mentoring.

It aims to help increase confidence, create a personal development plan and explore either the possibility of starting a business or a new job.

Leo Mullan, Business Advisor at Enterprise Causeway, said the programme has already proved to be hugely beneficial for many people.

“Over the past number of years we have had some wonderful success stories, with participants on the programme starting businesses in nearly every industry sector and other participants finding employment”. 

“You do not need to have a business idea to join the programme and all learning takes place in an open, non-threatening environment”.  

Running over six sessions in total, two mornings per week (Tuesday and Thursday) participants can work towards achieving a qualification in Business Enterprise. You can gain an understanding of the concepts involved in starting a business, an insight into marketing a new business and a grasp of key finance principles.  Participants can also avail of help developing their CVs, writing job applications and searching for further education/training courses  

Previous participant, Robert Wiggins of Wee Jeans Café in Coleraine, said he had initially intended to go on the course to learn key financial skills but the Exploring Enterprise Programme offered much more.

“One skill that I learnt that was a big help was advertising and management skills as well,” he explained. 

“It also helped me bring me out of my shell because you were in a group with people, you got to talk to them and find out different opportunities that they were doing, and some of them were interchangeable and over the course we were able to help each other out.”

Christina Smyth used the course to help her start Nellie Doodle Aprons, and after a friend recommended it to her was able to take much from the course.

“I think it was actually just that I knew nothing about starting a business and it was so encouraging,” she said.

“The four main skills I learnt from completing the course were management skills, financial skills, product development and marketing.

“I think I would have been terrified at the thought of doing something like this time last year and since completing the course I just think, I’m just loving this. The creative freedom and the satisfaction of doing something I love has just been brilliant.”

After working for seven years in both England and Northern Ireland, physiotherapist Brianne O’Neill decided to set up her own business. 

She explained: “I enrolled on the Exploring Enterprise programme after meeting with a business advisor at Enterprise Causeway and it has helped me to develop my business, marketing and financial skills”. 

Meanwhile, participant Richard Moore gained employment in youth work and said: “Completing the course helped him structure programmes for his youth work and had provided him with a sense of achievement”.

The Exploring Enterprise Programme is funded through the Northern Ireland Social Fund 2014-2020, Investment for Jobs and Growth Programme, The Department for the Economy, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council and Enterprise Northern Ireland.   

Do you have a business idea you want to explore? If so, call Robin on 028 7035 6318 or email eep@enterprisecauseway.co.uk.

Destination CQ is delighted to be the sponsors of this year’s Best Creative Business category once again in the Belfast Business Awards.

The awards, sponsored by the Bank of Ireland UK, were postponed last year due to Covid-19 but with life slowly returning to normal, all Cathedral Quarter business owners are encouraged to enter to be in with a chance of shining a light on their successes after.

Destination CQ BID Manager, Damien Corr, said: “This city has a wealth of talent ranging from creators, makers and inventors who need to be recognised with our sponsorship of this award.

“The capital of most creative businesses is their people and the Cathedral Quarter has great examples of innovative businesses leading the way throughout Belfast’s resurgence.” 

Previous Cathedral Quarter business winners include Willie Jack, owner of the Duke of York and The Harp Bar, who won the respected lifetime achievement award.

In 2018 Groundswell in CQ won Best Digital Business in 2018 Awards, a leading E-Commerce and Digital Marketing agency.

The benefits of entering and perhaps winning an award is the added credibility which can attract new customers, suppliers and when pitching to potential clients, as well as the accolades and prestige. And, it serves as a recognition of the staff contribution to business success.

Entry deadline is midnight, Friday September 3, 2021. The Destination CQ Creative Business Award is one of 21 categories. The award ceremony will take place on Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge.

The awards are organised by Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce with principal sponsor Bank of Ireland UK. To be eligible for businesses must be located in Belfast, or be a member of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Details of the Belfast Business Awards and how to enter are available at belfastchamber.com.

The Portico of Ards in Portaferry is well known for delivering a fantastic range of concerts and has become a big draw for tourists as well as locals, but did you know it’s run almost exclusively by volunteers?

The charity that runs Portico has just one employee who manages a team of dozens of local people and it is these volunteers that come together to bring arts and music events to the Ards peninsula.

After 18 months of being forced to close due to the Covid restrictions, the Portico of Ards in Portaferry has finally been able to open its doors to live audiences again, but with more than 50 concerts rescheduled over the last year and a half, there’s a jam packed schedule between between September’s Comedy Arts Festival and Christmas. With at least one concert every weekend, this is wonderful news for lovers of live music and comedians, but it’s turned into a bit of a headache for Portico’s Manager Dr Verity Peet.

“It’s great that we’re so busy, and we love having audiences back at Portico, but we’d really like some new volunteers to get involved. We ask people to commit to at least one evening each month but there’s plenty of choice in what kind of gigs they can help out at and what roles they can do. Quite frankly, we’re really grateful to our volunteers – they are the lifeblood of this place. Without them, we simply couldn’t survive. Volunteers do so much here, from gardening to fundraising, but at the moment we especially need more help with ushering at concerts on Friday or Saturday nights.”

So what does it take to be a volunteer at Portico? Local artist Sara Brown has been volunteering at Portico for several years and loves it. “I’m more than happy to support a venue on my doorstep because it brings great events to Portaferry and is so much easier than travelling to Belfast. It’s really easy work and there’s always great craic. I’ve met new friends, discovered new kinds of music and got a social life for free! What’s not to like?”

The Comedy Arts Festival coming up at Portico starts on Friday 17 Sept and includes stand up comedians Paddy Raff and Neil Delamere, sketch show Our Jimmy, operetta The Pirates of Penzance, Motown tribute band The Iconettes and a family show featuring live organ and piano duets with silent animation. The festival is supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. After that there’s Ryan McMullan, The Bjorn Identity, The Shamrock Tenors and lots more. If these are the kinds of events you’d like to volunteer at then get in touch with verity@porticoards.com or to see what events are coming up visit porticoards.com

Taste Ards and North Down – Autumn Food Festival: Dates for your Diary

Beginning on 4 September and running right through to 21 October 2021, our Autumn Food Festival gives you the opportunity to savour seasonal tide and turf produce and some of the boroughs finest food and drink.

With ticketed experiences for the dedicated foodies, as well as a fantastic FREE Tide and Turf family-friendly event in Portavogie on 11 September, there will be something to suit everyone’s taste!

Enjoy amazing food showcase events at Saltwater Brig, Lekker Kitchen Cafe, Alexander’s & Co, Grace Neills, Irelands Oldest Pub Est. 1611 , No 14 Restaurant and The Salty Dog

Find out more about the Taste Ards and North Down Autumn Food Festival https://bit.ly/AutumnFoodFestival

#VisitAND #TasteANDEnjoy

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is taking part in this year’s Food & Cider Festival by playing host to some foodie-themed cinema and interactive kids craft activities.

On Friday 10 September, the venue will screen the charming film, ‘Chocolat’, a cinematic love letter to chocolate (and to love itself) on. ‘Chocolat’ stars Juliette Binoche as a captivating chocolatier who brings intrigue, along with her magical confections, to a small French village. Come along and enjoy the movie as well as some chocolate treats which are included in the ticket price.

The kids can get in on the action with one of the weekend’s hands-on workshops. What better way to bake with the famous Co Armagh apple than getting creative with yummy apple cupcakes. Join the cupcake decorating workshop on 11 September which will introduce you to the skills and techniques to create amazing cupcake designs every time. You’ll get hands on experience decorating a box of twelve cupcakes to take home with themes from Disney Descendants. Learn to pipe buttercream like a pro and handle and colour using florist paste. Colour and cut sugar paste to top your cupcakes for a domed finish then complete your creations by sculpting mini apples of various colours, miniature trees and leaves from icing and to complete the look add a sprinkling of coloured sugar for a sparkling finish.

Or if cosmetics are more your thing, come along and create your very own apple themed cupcake bath bomb on 11 September. You will make a fizzy, apple green base before using the secret recipe frosting to pipe a fluffy cupcake swirl using a piping bag and nozzle. Imagination will be required as you decorate your masterpiece with an array of pretty apple themed toppings and sprinkles. Your finished product will be placed in a pretty cupcake case with a red or green ribbon and carried home in a protective dome.  The only thing you have to decide is ‘Is it just too pretty to use in the bath?’

All performances will adhere to current social distancing requirements, and with full safety measures in place, you can sit back and relax as you escape from it all this Summer. Tickets for these, and many more experiences, can be purchased by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre