Margaret Canning

Dobbies will close its garden centre at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim at the end of October after new landlord Frasers Group terminated the tenancy to redevelop the site. The closure affects 43 employees, with Dobbies and The Junction exploring redeployment and other support. The Junction’s owner and asset manager, Lotus Property, said the retail park’s turnover rose 11% in 2025 and highlighted continuing and incoming tenants. Dobbies said the decision is specific to the Antrim location, reaffirmed its commitment to Northern Ireland, and announced significant investment in its Lisburn store.

Water Solutions Ireland has submitted plans to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for a larger headquarters at Carnbane Business Park outside Newry. The proposed facility, subject to planning approval, is expected to be completed by July 2028 and is intended to provide space and capacity for the company’s continued growth. The water and wastewater engineering firm has expanded from six employees in 2018 to 47, with operations across the UK and Ireland.

Castlewellan-based steel manufacturer and distributor Walter Watson increased 2025 turnover by 5% to almost £62m, but pre-tax profit fell 20% to £6.2m as energy, labour and other operating costs rose and steel prices declined amid subdued construction demand. The company said efficiency improvements, stronger output and increased market share helped offset pressure on margins. Walter Watson ended the year with £23m in net cash, no bank debt, shareholders’ funds of £64m and an average workforce of 227. Directors described the results as resilient, said the 2026 order book remained healthy and expressed confidence in future growth while continuing investment in plant, machinery and premises.

County Tyrone construction firm McAleer & Rushe has begun work on a £95m, 256-bedroom Clayton Hotel at 60 Morrison Street in Edinburgh. The project, planned by McAleer & Rushe’s development arm MRP and funded with support from AIB, will transform a six-storey office building into a nine-storey hotel operated by Dalata Hotel Group. The site next to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre will include a restaurant, bar, gym and business facilities, with the developers emphasizing the environmental benefits of retaining and repurposing the existing structure. The hotel is expected to benefit from Edinburgh’s corporate, conference and leisure tourism markets.

Ringland Group has opened Peter Keegan’s, a £60,000 temporary pub on Callender Street in Belfast, ahead of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026. The venue features three bars, vintage cars and traditional Irish decor, and has created 25 temporary jobs. Located near Belfast City Hall’s main stage, it is named after a wine merchant that occupied the site in the 1870s and may eventually be replaced by a hotel. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the Fleadh could attract more than 700,000 visitors and generate about £53m for the economy, with Tourism NI contributing £1m to Belfast City Council.

McKeever Hotels is investing £600,000 in The Meridian, a new 120-capacity cocktail bar at Armagh City Hotel expected to open in early winter. Designed by Drinksology, whose work includes New York’s Dead Rabbit, and built by McCue Fit-Out, the venue will include premium spirit and wine tasting facilities and private dining space. The investment forms part of a wider £4 million programme intended to unlock the hotel’s potential as an all-island tourism and conference venue and help it secure a four-star rating.

Bank of America will occupy 58,000 square feet across four and a half floors at Belfast Harbour’s City Quays 3, completing the letting of the 15-floor office development. The move supports the bank’s planned Northern Ireland hub, which is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs, including roles in anti-money-laundering operations. While the new space is fitted out, staff will use serviced offices at City Quays 1. Belfast Harbour highlighted further development plans, including City Quays 4, City Quays 5 and the wider £1.3 billion port and property investment programme.

VeinCentre has opened its first Northern Ireland clinic on Stranmillis Road in Belfast, marking its 44th UK location. Led by vascular surgeon Colin Weir, the clinic aims to expand access to varicose vein treatment, offering minimally invasive procedures such as EVLA. Weir highlighted the prevalence of untreated varicose veins and the clinic’s goal of providing convenient, walk‑in care for patients across the region.

A Londonderry-based digital construction start-up, Hillside Designs, is expanding one year after its launch with support from the Go Succeed business programme. Founder Fintan O’Kane highlights growing demand for building information modelling in major construction projects and aims to build a wider client base across Ireland and beyond. Local government representatives praise the firm as an example of innovation supported through regional enterprise initiatives.

MRP secured planning approval from the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham for a £250m redevelopment of Liberty House in Kensington Olympia, featuring Grade A offices and a 371‑bed Maldron hotel pre-let to Dalata Hotel Group. The scheme forms part of the wider Olympia regeneration, with construction led by McAleer & Rushe and completion targeted for 2029. Company leaders highlighted community consultation, growing demand and the strategic importance of London. McAleer & Rushe reported strong financial performance, supported by several major contracts across the UK.

MRP secured unanimous planning approval to redevelop Liberty House in Kensington Olympia into a £250m mixed-use scheme featuring Grade A offices and a 371‑room Maldron hotel operated by Dalata. The project, adjacent to the recently completed £1.3bn Olympia regeneration, is scheduled to begin construction next year and complete in 2029. Designed by AHMM and built by McAleer & Rushe, the development includes terraces, green roofs and public‑realm improvements. Executives from MRP and Dalata highlighted strong market demand and strategic importance, while McAleer & Rushe reported rising turnover and profits alongside several major UK contracts.

Retail footfall in Northern Ireland fell slightly in June but performed better than the UK overall, with figures showing limited long‑term impact from riots in Belfast following a stabbing. Shopping centre footfall rose and the decline in Belfast remained modest despite temporary disruption. The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium said shoppers quickly returned, though the riots caused brief operational challenges. Sensormatic’s analysis noted warmer weather and local unrest as contributing factors to monthly fluctuations.

The 2026 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards will take place on November 13 at The Mac in Belfast, with Telefónica Tech returning as headline sponsor. The event will spotlight Northern Ireland’s expanding tech sector, introduce new award categories, and feature a refreshed judging panel of industry leaders. Organisers emphasise the awards’ role in recognising innovation and digital leadership amid global economic challenges.

Close Brothers Property Finance reports £115m in lending across Northern Ireland over eight years and is expanding its offerings to include peak debt and revolving credit facilities to give developers more flexibility. The lender cites a structural undersupply of new homes and recent declines in housing starts as reasons for broadening its product range. It has supported projects including WGK Homes’ developments and a Lisburn apartment scheme. The company anticipates continued growth in the build‑to‑rent sector but notes that planning delays and infrastructure constraints remain key challenges.