Rainbow Communications secures Microsoft Silver Partner status
06/10/2020
Northern Ireland’s largest independent cloud telecommunications and IT provider, Rainbow Communications, has been accredited as a global Microsoft Silver partner, putting it in the top five percent of companies in the world which holds the award.
The Belfast-based company, which has more than 100 staff, secured the award following a rigorous audit of its operations by Microsoft which determined its top ranking for providing the best solutions for its customers.
Its newly-acquired silver status puts Rainbow Communications ahead of its competition, demonstrating a specific, proven skill set to clients alongside high quality, consistent delivery. It also means its staff are now part of Microsoft’s global network and support hub, sharing resources, training, and best practice advice.
£20m premium parking facility opens at Belfast’s Grosvenor Road
18/09/2020
A new premium multi-storey parking facility officially opened this week on the Grosvenor Road in Belfast City Centre as part of a £20 million investment.
The new state-of-the-art facility, which has 575 car parking spaces, was opened by Value Car Parks, part of the McCausland Group of companies, which is also marking its 100th year in business.
The development also includes 7,000 sq. ft of new Grade A office space which will be occupied by the group at 19-35 Grosvenor Road on the site where the business was originally established.
The McCausland Group said it was confident that the investment would provide a vital boost for Belfast city centre during what continues to be a challenging time for the local retail, hospitality and tourism economy.
The twelve-level facility promises a new, efficient and more spacious design which includes wider spaces, driveways and ramps and with no obstructing bollards for a more user-friendly and accessible experience. To complement other measures across the city and Northern Ireland, the facility also includes charging points for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The Post Office makes a special delivery for Magowan West Shopping Centre
18/09/2020
Magowan West Shopping Centre in Portadown marked a special delivery this week after The Post Office opened a new 1,500 sq. ft retail outlet as part of a significant relocation.
Popular for modern facades in a busy Portadown location, the new Post Office branch is located on 23 West Street, which is a key part of Magowan West but also allows easy access for users to and from the town centre and car parks.
The Post Office branch, which was formerly located inside High Street Mall, is open from Monday to Friday from 9am until 5.30pm and on Saturday from 9am until 12.30pm.
LK Communications Further Strengthens Senior Team
17/09/2020
LK Communications today named a new addition to its senior team.
The leading public relations agency, which counts Lidl Northern Ireland and Visit Belfast among its strong mix of public and private sector clients, said it had appointed Gareth Brown as a Client Director with immediate effect, bolstering its expertise and capacity in corporate and government communications, issues management, stakeholder engagement and public affairs.
With proven expertise in a range of areas and a former CIPR ‘Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year’, Gareth returns to Northern Ireland after nearly a decade in Scotland and London.
A former associate at a leading strategic communications consultancy in Edinburgh, Gareth was also a Scotland media and campaigns advisor for the UK Cabinet Office and No. 10 Downing Street. He is a regular commentator in print and broadcast media.
Gareth’s background in government and private sector corporate communications, notably in legal and business public relations, will support LK Communications Managing Director Nikki Larkin and Board Director David Cullen as part of a newly-strengthened senior team which also includes accomplished Client Director Geri Wright.
Welcoming the appointment, Nikki Larkin said:
“In an enormously challenging business environment overcome with uncertainty, and where the demand for quality, insight-based communications solutions has never been more critical, we are delighted to add new strength and capabilities to our leadership team at exactly the right time. A talented and strategic communicator with a proven track record, I’m delighted to confirm Gareth’s appointment and to welcome him to the team.”
Established in 2005, the multi award-winning agency which has a full team of 13 staff and secured two Gold Awards at the most recent CIPR PRide Awards, provides a full service offering in B2B and B2C strategic communications, creating impactful, creative and integrated campaigns for a strong mix of public and private sector clients including Lidl Northern Ireland and Visit Belfast.
The company also counts Galgorm Collection, Lookers plc and Charles Hurst Group, Wirefox Investments including CastleCourt Shopping Centre, Rainbow Communications and a number of leading council authorities across Northern Ireland and England among its strong client roster. It was recently appointed by Aflac NI, a subsidiary company to major US insurance brand Aflac and Fortune 500 company, to support its brand communications.
“We have a vibrant and strong communications offer powered by research, quality insights and media relations which builds outstanding brand strategies and impactful campaigns that deliver results. Growing our in-house capabilities at this time means we’re stronger than ever to meet the many communications challenges and opportunities ahead,” Nikki said.
LK Communications is also Chaired by John Keane, CEO of sister company Ardmore, one of the UK and Ireland’s top marketing and advertising agencies which is also a member of Worldwide Partners Inc., a global collaboration of more than 80 leading independent agencies worldwide.
Galgorm Skin Clinic Announces New Partnership with IMAGE Skincare
16/09/2020
Galgorm Skin Clinic, located within the award-winning Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, has announced an exciting new partnership with IMAGE Skincare offering guests an extensive range of new, premier skincare products and a brand new bespoke, customised facial for a glowing and radiant complexion.
IMAGE Skincare is a professional, clinical brand which prioritises science over fads and results over trends. Their mission is to enable healthy, glowing skin so that women can face every stage of their vibrant, colourful life with confidence and courage. Available in over 52 countries worldwide, IMAGE represents a multinational, multicultural approach to skin health that is represented by every skin tone and skin type.
Selected for its synergy with Galgorm Skin Clinic’s ethos to maximise skin potential with treatments suited specifically to individual skin types, the new product range and treatment offering will guide clinic customers through their journey to improving the health of their skin.
Local Biosciences Company Launches New ‘Best in Class’ Hand Sanitiser Providing Optimal Protection
01/09/2020
Torax Biosciences, a leading Northern Ireland life sciences and biomedical company, has launched a revolutionary new, clinically approved hand sanitiser proven to kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses .
ToraSan is a locally produced sanitiser formulated and developed by scientists to meet internationally recognised quality standards. Products are manufactured under strict laboratory conditions at the company’s Newtownabbey headquarters, led by Managing Director and esteemed clinical researcher and published scientific author, Dr Lawrence McGrath PhD, MSc, T.D.
ToraSan’s unique formula provides a minimum concentration of 75% isopropyl, certified by the World Health Organisation to provide the optimum level of protection against bacteria and viruses.[1] Many hand sanitisers only provide between 60-70% alcohol concentration which can be incapable of killing viruses.
Armagh Food & Cider Weekend is back on the menu
28/08/2020
Northern Ireland’s best-loved celebration of local food and drink is officially back on the menu this autumn as Armagh’s Food & Cider weekend safely returns next month with an exciting new line-up of events including cider tastings, orchard tours and grand farm-to-fork treats.
Famed the world over for its Armagh Bramley apples, top class cider and its local quality cuisine, the region’s award-winning food and drink experience will share its proud heritage with locals and visitors alike from Thursday 24th until Sunday 27th September.
Food and drink lovers this year are invited to enjoy more than 20 pre-bookable events to celebrate Armagh’s unrivalled Food Heartland status and the warmth of its welcome in the ultimate weekend of culinary indulgence.
Already six years old, this annual weekend in one of this Island’s top foodie destinations and provides a perfect pairing of gastronomic delights and cidery experiences that will have you coming back for more.
This special gourmet weekend is led from the front by some of the area’s best local chefs, including Ireland’s Hotel Head Chef of the Year, John Whyte, from Armagh City Hotel, and Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, Simon Dougan, Yellow Door Deli, Joyce Brownless, Blackwell House and Fiona and Rory Chapman from On the Hoof as well as a legion of local food producers who have worked creatively together to produce a unique menu of food events that combine tradition and contemporary taste.
Weekend highlights include tours of Armagh’s famed apple orchards accompanied by exclusive tastings and talks with global cider expert and author Gabe Cook and a scrumptious five-course feast curated by Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars’ Catering at the stunning Crannagael House.
Rainbow Communications marks a decade at the top for mobile growth
10/08/2020
Northern Ireland’s largest independent telecoms company, Rainbow Communications, is this week celebrating a full 10 years of growth delivering mobile telephony and data services to thousands of local companies.
Established in 1998, the company, which has 100-strong team operating across Northern Ireland, this month celebrates a new milestone in its history by marking 10 years since it first moved into mobile communications.
Since August 2010, it has supplied more than 10,000 smartphones on all major networks including EE, O2 and Vodafone on tailored contract terms from one month and longer with the support of a dedicated local customer team.
As part of its own innovation and growth in this area, Rainbow Communications is launching its own-branded mobile service which access all major networks backed by a strong local customer service team and one simple, transparent monthly bill.
More Armagh visitor attractions set to reopen for visitors for August
04/08/2020
Several more of Armagh’s top visitor attractions will reopen their doors in August, including Armagh County Museum, Brownlow House and the Market Place Theatre, it was confirmed today.
FE McWilliam Gallery in Banbridge and Armagh’s Navan Fort & Centre reopened this week.
With new safety measures introduced which adhere to government and public and health guidance, Armagh Country Museum opens on Wednesday 12 August from 10am until 4pm and admission is free.
The oldest county museum on the island of Ireland and set in Armagh City’s beautiful tree-lined Mall, its collections capture centuries of stories relating to the people who lived, worked and had connections with this famous city and historic county. With collections ranging from local history and fine art to archaeology and natural history, this is the ideal place to experience a flavour of the famous ‘orchard county’.
You can also enjoy the museum’s newest exhibition, Troubles Art, which continues until October and which draws from the art collection at National Museums Northern Ireland featuring artists’ response to the troubles and border counties. Part of the Making the Future project, a cross-border cultural heritage programme funded through the PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), it’s definitely worth a visit.
Another place to explore this summer is Armagh’s much-loved Market Place Theatre – just a short stroll from the Mall – and is preparing to reopen safely for visitors from Friday 7 August. This flagship venue will be open from Thursday to Saturday every week from 10am to 4pm, welcoming visitors to view a fantastic photographic exhibition by Vincent Loughran in its spacious gallery.
The Market Place Theatre’s hugely popular interactive workshop programme will also resume on Saturdays throughout August. Places are still available for creating your own Macramé Plant Holder on 15 August. Unfortunately all other workshops are sold out. Booking for the Macramé workshop and further information is available by contacting the box office during its opening hours on 028 3752 1821 or through www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre.
Meanwhile, the grand Elizabethan Brownlow House safely reopens to visitors on Monday 4 August in Lurgan Park, Northern Ireland’s largest and most beautiful urban park. Built in age of grandeur and cultured tastes, Lurgan Castle as it’s known locally is an imposing building situated just a few minutes’ walk from the Lurgan town centre. Built in 1833, this Grade A listed destination should be on everyone’s itinerary this summer.
Visitor safety is a priority across all reopening venues and new measures are firmly in place for the everyone’s health and wellbeing.
Let’s Eat Out to Help Out Our Belfast’s City Centre Hospitality Businesses
03/08/2020
As the UK Government’s 4-week initiative ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ gets underway, Belfast’s first citizen, Lord Mayor Alderman Frank McCoubrey was doing just that.
The Lord Mayor was joined for lunch at Mourne Seafood Bar, one of over 100 participating city restaurants, by Gerry Lennon (Visit Belfast), Stephen Mewha (Belfast One), Chris McCracken (Linen Quarter) and Paul McErlean (Destination CQ).
Visit Belfast, in partnership with Belfast One, Linen Quarter and Destination CQ have implemented a marketing campaign to promote eating out in Belfast in support of city centre businesses. The initiative is aimed at encouraging people across the UK and Northern Ireland to dine out Monday to Wednesday and receive 50% off their bill (up to £10 per head) from 3 to 31 August. The partnership marketing campaign is designed to drive footfall back into Belfast City Centre.