roman.beguns

31.03.2022

The Skin Clinic at Galgorm is set to undergo a makeover of its own as it launches a range of brand-new advanced aesthetic treatment options this month – from celebrity favourite intra-venous (IV) vitamin boosting infusions to minor surgery, 3D facelifts and dermatological checks, including total body skin cancer screening.

Led by top clinician and skin expert Dr Andrew Mottram, The Skin Clinic at Galgorm is one of Northern Ireland’s leading, premier skincare and beauty clinics and is now the first clinic in the region to offer this comprehensive range of skin and body care treatments.

Aesthetics at The Skin Clinic launched in November last year, offering a range of anti-ageing treatments including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, Profhilo and Dermapen, designed to maximise the skin’s potential and promote a radiant, youthful look.

With more than 20 years’ experience working in the UK, Ireland and Australia, Dr Andrew Mottram is now bringing his specialist expertise in advanced aesthetic skin treatments, dermatology and dermatosurgery to enhance The Skin Clinic’s innovative, results-driven treatment offering.

Since confirming a partnership with Dr Mottram and launching Aesthetics at The Skin Clinic late last year, Galgorm has seen a huge demand from both new and existing clients looking for real, tailored skincare results. The expanded aesthetics offering builds on The Skin Clinic’s existing services, bringing clients a comprehensive range of bespoke treatments focused on promoting whole body health.

Some of the latest celebrity trends have also been added to the Skin Clinic including 3D non-surgical facelifts for a rejuvenated, youthful appearance and IV multi-vitamin recovery drips and vitamin shot injections for optimum nutritional health, popular with celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Adele, Chrissy Teigen and Rita Ora.

Drawing on Dr Mottram’s experience as a skin cancer specialist, The Skin Clinic has also added a new total body skin cancer screening service and launched a new, bespoke problem skin service tailored for individuals suffering from conditions such as rosacea, acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Dr Andrew Mottram said:

“After an incredibly successful launch, I am thrilled to expand upon The Skin Clinic’s treatment offering and bring the most comprehensive range of cosmetic and medical treatments to clients all under one roof in the award-winning Galgorm, one of the world’s top spa and wellbeing destinations.

As a client-focused, results-driven clinic that focuses on personalised treatment regimes, we’ve developed an advanced new offering for clients focused on whole body health and wellbeing. I’m very proud to bring my skills and experience in skin cancer detection, minor surgery, injectables and advanced aesthetics to complement The Skin Clinic’s established service offering.

At The Skin Clinic, we’re focused on delivering real results tailored to individual requirements and I’m so excited to launch the new treatments. With discreet and natural results and complete confidentiality, clients can enjoy an unrivalled experience at The Skin Clinic and I look forward to welcoming new and existing clients soon to enjoy this enhanced offering.”

Dr Mottram holds a post graduate Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine from the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM). He is currently undergoing AAAM Board Certification, a globally recognised mark of highest achievement in the field of aesthetics and will be the only practitioner in Northern Ireland to hold this qualification. Dr Mottram is also a member of the Association of Surgeons in Primary Care, regularly performing minor surgical lists for the NHS.

Dr Andrew Mottram is in residence at The Skin Clinic, Galgorm every Thursday. For more information on treatments available, or to book, please visit galgorm.com/the-skin-clinic

31.03.2022

‘Kick Start’ alumni Hellbent secures permanent listing with Lidl Northern Ireland as retailer announces applications now open for 2022 supplier development programme 

Lidl Northern Ireland today announced the launch of its Kick Start Supplier Development Programme for 2022, welcoming applications from artisan producers across the region keen to grow their brand, build their supply network and reach more consumers.

Launching the ground-breaking programme for a fifth consecutive year, Lidl Northern Ireland also confirmed that it has signed an annual supply deal worth £340,000 with Holywood, County Down-based spicy meat maker Hellbent to supply its succulent Chakalaka Boerewors to all Lidl stores within the island of Ireland on a permanent basis and for a limited summer promotion in UK stores.

The brainchild of South African-born Ulster Rugby aces Louis Ludik and Schalk Van der Merwe, Hellbent secured a coveted place on Lidl Northern Ireland’s Kick Start programme only last year.

Proving a big hit with shoppers at Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing supermarket retailer, Hellbent has grown exponentially since then and this latest deal with Lidl Northern Ireland will help propel its success even further.

Hellbent’s eye-catching products combine a delicious fusion of South African flavours quality Irish meat produce, creating a new taste sensation that pays homage to both countries and cultures.

Featuring a tasty line-up of beef and pork products, Hellbent benefited from a range of in-store promotions across 215 Lidl stores across the island of Ireland as part of last year’s Kick Start programme, proudly showcasing its Original and Chakalaka Boerewors spiced using traditional farmhouse seasoning, Hellbent Burgers, Black & White Pudding as well as seasonal festive Cranberry & Feta Sausages.

The Lidl Northern Ireland Kick Start programme is designed to help small and medium-sized local food and drink producers grow their brand, build their supply network and reach new customer audiences, upping their potential to open up new export opportunities.

As well as the limited edition in-store promotion, Kick Start also provides ambitious producers with free business development seminars delivered by a panel of Lidl and wider industry experts, covering key disciplines such as quality control, supply chain management, branding and distribution.

Since its launch in 2017, the programme has grown exponentially and is now delivered in partnership with the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association (NIFDA), providing a significant boost to the programme and additional benefits and opportunities for selected suppliers.

More than 50 Northern Irish artisan products and dozens of local businesses have been led to success through the Kick Start Supplier Development Programme including Copeland Gin in Donaghadee, Refuge Hot Chocolate brewed in Belfast and Noisy Snacks from Newtownards to name just a few.

The Lidl Kick Start Supplier Development Programme is just one of the many ways in which the retailer supports local suppliers.

Last year, Lidl Northern Ireland struck a deal worth £500,000 annually with County Antrim coffee roasters SlumberJack Coffee to supply their Italian Espresso whole bean and ground coffee across all stores within the island of Ireland. Other supplier deals signed in 2021 include an expanded contract worth £2.7 million with Irwin’s Bakery and a significant £24 million deal with Fermanagh-based bakery, Crust & Crumb, for an expanded pizza line.

Hellbent’s Chakalaka Boerewors are available in all Lidl stores across the island of Ireland from 6 April 2022, priced at £3.99.

For more information on the Kick Start Supplier Development Programme, visit lidl-ni.co.uk/kickstart

31.03.2022

With the countdown now on to Volunteers’ Week 2022, which runs from 1-7 June, Volunteer Now is calling on communities and businesses across Northern Ireland to get ready to honour local heroes by taking ‘Time to Say Thanks’ as part of a week-long programme of activity celebrating volunteering across the UK.

Now in its 38^th year, Volunteers’ Week sees charities, voluntary groups, social organisations, and volunteers themselves come together to recognise the incredible impact that volunteering has in communities, both locally and regionally.

This year’s theme – ‘A time to say thanks’ – encourages everyone to recognise the huge impact that people from all walks of life make on the lives of people and their communities when they volunteer.

The week-long celebration, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, will include designated themed days showcasing the breadth and impact that different types of volunteering has played in local communities over the last 12 months. Each day is a chance to take the time to say thank you to volunteers across Northern Ireland – and Volunteer Now is calling for all charities and volunteers to get involved.

With around 282,000 formal volunteers carrying out work with designated organisations and 470,000 informal volunteers, volunteering plays a significant role across the region.

Each year, volunteers across Northern Ireland carry out work worth more than half a billion pounds and contribute £504 million to the local economy. Voluntary organisations in Northern Ireland do work worth more than half a billion pounds a year.

As the lead organisation for volunteering in Northern Ireland, Volunteer Now is leading the charge to put Volunteers’ Week firmly on the community agenda, encouraging everyone to engage with the week-long programme of activity to say a collective ‘thank you’ to volunteers right across the region.

08.03.2022

Fratelli, the popular ristorante, pizzeria and bar located in Belfast city centre, is reopening on Friday 25 March to reveal an all-new authentic Italian menu and a luxurious refurbished interior.

In the heart of Belfast’s Great Victoria Street opposite the Europa Hotel and iconic Grand Opera House, Fratelli – Italian for ‘brothers’ – has been popular for city shoppers, visitors and theatregoers for over seven years with its family-friendly, authentic Italian dining experience.

Now, for 2022, this spacious, split-level restaurant located in one of the city’s busiest areas is back with a brand-new vibe.

After a significant £250,000 investment, the revamped restaurant has been fully transformed with new tiled and wooden floors, fresh new seating and textiles.

Fratelli’s spacious outdoor terrace, providing a bird’s-eye view over Great Victoria Street, has also been newly revitalised to incorporate new all-weather awnings, heaters and seating.

Fratelli shut its doors in March 2020, in line with the Executive’s directive on Covid-19 response measures. After the prolonged closure, its reopening marks a fresh start for the well-liked restaurant and confirms growing confidence in the city’s post-Covid recovery.

02.03.2022

Construction work on two of Lidl Northern Ireland’s newest stores is under way in Belfast and Omagh as part of its multimillion-pound investment plans to transform older existing stores that reflect its bright, modern and award-winning ‘concept’ design.

Representing an investment of £8 million, the region’s fastest-growing retailer has just cleared the way and broken ground to relocate its existing store at the junction of Castlereagh and Montgomery Road in Belfast to a new adjacent site on Castlereagh Road. Approval for the new store was sought and granted by Belfast City Council last year.

Construction work at the expansive Castlereagh Road retail site, which is also home to a neighbouring Lynas Food outlet, is expected to last up to six months and will come with new and improved access created as part of the entire site’s ambitious transformation plans.

Occupying a much larger area of 11,575 sq. meters, with an impressive 1,420 sq. metre sales floor, the new east Belfast store will create a further 10 permanent new retail jobs who will join an existing team of 25 when it opens in Summer 2022. A further 200 jobs are also being created during the build-out and development phase.

Several new standalone commercial units are also earmarked for construction on the site by Heron Brothers, as part of a jointly approved planning application.

Part of a £32 million investment by Lidl Northern Ireland into developing five stores within the Greater Belfast region, the new Castlereagh store has been in planning since 2021, undergoing an extensive public and stakeholder consultation to bring local shoppers an improved customer experience, an expanded product range and modern facilities.

02.03.2022

Retailer extends its charity partnership with NSPCC Northern Ireland for a third time to 2024 and commits to new £1.1 million fundraising target

Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the extension of its charity partnership with NSPCC Northern Ireland for a third consecutive time, committing to a new fundraising target of over £1.1 million by 2024.

Established in 2017, the strategic partnership has delivered funding of more than £700,000 for NSPCC Northern Ireland through a range of activities and initiatives driven by Lidl Northern Ireland staff members across its 41 stores and supported locally by Lidl’s valued customers.

In the last year alone, Lidl Northern Ireland staff and customers across the region raised over £100,000 for the charity and donated almost 130,000 meals to FoodCloud charities. The extended new partnership aims to surpass previous fundraising targets and deliver further help in supporting NSPCC Northern Ireland’s aim to empower children to stay safe and speak out against abuse and neglect.

Over five years, funds raised through the partnership have contributed to the recruitment, training and support of 125 Childline volunteers across the charity’s two Childline bases in Belfast and Foyle. It has also supported the training of practitioners at the NSPCC’s two Service Centres in Northern Ireland to provide crucial support to children and families recovering from abuse.

Lidl Northern Ireland has also supported NSPCC Northern Ireland’s flagship Speak Out Stay Safe Schools programme – one of the most highly demanded initiatives aimed at raising awareness amongst children of their right to be safe from abuse and neglect. Since April 2021, the programme has reached more than 45,000 children across Northern Ireland.