Local firms honoured at North West Business Awards

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A much-loved Derry bookshop has been crowned Business/Entrepreneur of the year at the North West Business Awards.

Little Acorns Bookstore, located on Foyle Street, took home the final award at the annual ceremony, which recognises and celebrates the achievements of local businesses.

Among those who paid tribute to Little Acorns and its proprietor, Jenni Doherty, on the night were Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee.

“Creative writers inspire each other and drive our imagination. Most successful films come from books and the existence of independent book stores keep literature alive and are cornerstones for communities,” she said.

“Without places like this, many would not get the opportunity or confidence to create and inspire, and that is a catalyst to successfully making films and TV programmes that can promote our city and drive its economy.”

Other winners on the night included Find Insurance, named Small Business of the Year, retailer Ferry Clever, awarded Best Retailer and Best Use of Marketing and Social Media, and Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel, named Best Hotel and Best Restaurant.

Enterprise NW Team
Ethical Weigh
Ferry Clever
Find Insurance
White Horse Hotel Team
FinTrU NW Team
Alchemy Technologies Team
JACE Team
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Hit ‘The Spot’, Derry’s new street art gallery

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The city’s first street art and urban arts gallery has been launched.

The Spot gallery, created by UV Arts social enterprise alongside the Inner City Trust, is located at the Garden of Reflection on Bishop Street.

The new gallery’s debut exhibition connects the growing local street art movement with a modern and contemporary exhibition space, graffiti store and creative hub for urban artists.

Artists exhibiting are responsible for many of the large-scale murals dotted across the City and District.

The gallery also hosts a series of educational workshops, professional training services and alternative art, prints and products.

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Strabane enjoys bumper Summer Jamm

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Strabane’s Summer Jamm made a welcome return to the streets in June.

The event saw live music, traditional games, amusements, cultural activities, a petting zoo and circus skills performed across a range of venues. Meanwhile, foodies were treated to a range of sweet and savoury delights at the Castle Street Food Quarter.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Sandra Duffy: “Summer Jamm is always a great draw for visitors, and it’s fantastic to see the event return with all the benefits it brings to the local economy.”

This year, Strabane BID collaborated with businesses on a special Love Strabane event, showcasing the best of Strabane has to offer as well as one-off promotions on local products and services.

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Derry footballers land first Ulster title in 24 years – but miss out on All-Island glory

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The Anglo Celt Cup is back in Derry for the first time in almost a quarter of a century following the Oak Leaf county’s Ulster Final win over near neighbours Donegal.

Rory Gallagher’s side claimed the title the hard way, overcoming the odds against All Ireland Champions Tyrone in the quarter finals before wins over Monaghan and Donegal sealed the title.

The win qualified Derry for the All-Ireland series at Croke Park, but their bid to win a first All-Ireland title since 1993 sadly failed after a semi-final defeat by Galway at Croke Park.

Thousands of Derry fans travelled to Dublin to cheer on the team, who despite a strong start, ultimately lost out on a place in the final.

After the game, Gallagher said he believed the team could enjoy success again next year: “The challenge now is to grind it out again,” he added. “I have no doubt the boys will.”

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European travel award for Walled City Market

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Derry’s Walled City Market has been named local attraction of the year at a prestigious Europe-wide travel event.

The market, which takes place on the first Saturday of every month in Guildhall Square, was praised by the Travel and Hospitality European Travel Awards programme for its uniqueness, customer care, and quality of facilities.

Derry City and Strabane Deputy Mayor, Councillor Christopher Jackson and Nicolle Walters, Markets Development Officer pictured with traders form the Walled City Market which has been awarded the THA Local Attraction of the Year.

It was selected from over 22,000 nominations, with judges saying the chosen winners ‘reflect the very best in travel and hospitality standards’.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Sandra Duffy, congratulated all those involved in the Market’s success.

“The market offers an ideal platform for the best of local food and craft and it wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic traders that we have operating at the WCM each month,” she said.

“Whether it’s LegenDerry food or unique gifts, there’s always so much to enjoy for locals and visitors alike.”

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‘Cool, credible, cheap’ Derry named one of best places to live in UK

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Derry has been hailed as the best place to live in Northern Ireland in a survey by The Sunday Times.

The newspaper praised the city as “cool, credible and cheap” in its annual UK-wide list, highlighting the benefits of “years of investment” and the millions of pounds spent regenerating the town centre.

Judges added: “Younger buyers are moving in, attracted by the city’s brisk outward-facing air and its closeness to the border with the Republic.”

The seaside villages of Ballycastle and Helen’s Bay also made the list of Northern Ireland’s top locations.

Meanwhile, Derry was also named as having the best community spirit in the region, in a survey from the retailer Spar.

The Maiden City came out on top of the NI communities, and placed seventh in the whole of the UK.

Around 64% of those surveyed described themselves as happy living in their community, with 53% of those from Northern Ireland – the highest in the UK – adding that their community gave them a sense of belonging.

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Derry voted top town for business

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Derry has been named regional winner in the UK’s Top Towns for Business competition.

Locations across the UK were shortlisted on factors including connectivity, dedicated space, retail space, networks and leadership in the competition, run by Enterprise Nation in partnership with Dell UK and Intel UK.

After a public vote, Derry came out as Top Town for Business in Northern Ireland.

The awards aimed to shine a spotlight on the UK’s towns and cities that nurture entrepreneurial spirit to make a lasting impact on local communities and the economy.

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Awards success for LegenDerry eateries

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A Derry tapas restaurant is celebrating after being named World Food Restaurant of the Year at a nationwide awards ceremony.

El Tapas Gra, based in Waterloo Place, picked up the gong at the YesChef Ireland awards in Limerick.

A member of the local LegenDerry Food and Drink Network, the bar and restaurant serves Catalan-influenced cuisine infused with locally sourced ingredients.

Meanwhile the hugely popular Quaywest, on Derry’s Boating Club Lane, was named Ulster Seafood Restaurant of the Year.

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Taoiseach meets NW Development Fund

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The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has visited Derry to discover the positive impact the North West Regional Development Group is having on regional growth.

Attendees at the Guildhall meeting were updated about ongoing work between Derry City and Strabane District Council, Donegal County Council, regional strategic partners and central government to deliver economic growth, investment and environmental and social cohesion for the region.

Senior council and government representatives discussed with the Taoiseach a range of regional priorities and options for scaling up co-operation and development work on both sides of the border.

Delegates heard how, with the Irish Government’s continued support and North-South co-operation, the cross-border North West City Region can boost innovation, create jobs and contribute to a sustainable, balanced regional economy on the island of Ireland.

Members re-emphasised to the Taoiseach the Irish government’s role in supporting efforts to improve road, air, rail and sea connectivity of the region and in supporting sustainable ‘green’ growth.

Chief executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, said the meeting highlighted both Councils’ shared goals.

He added: “Whether it is in education, business or tourism, the two Councils and Government are working collaboratively to ensure what we achieve is sustainable and brings benefits and opportunity to everyone.”

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GEMX launches to promote engineering excellence

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The North West Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Collaborative Growth Network has recently rebranded as GEMX – Generating Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence.

The network, supported by Invest Northern Ireland through its Collaborative Growth Programme, aims to raise awareness of manufacturing and engineering within the North West, develop a pipeline of talent, and encourage collaboration between industry and education.

Leading companies – including NuPrint Technologies, AE Global, PPSL and Fleming Agri – will work together to exploit opportunities and enhance their competitive edge.

Project director Joanne Sweeney said: “We need to harness the abilities of educational establishments and ensure that they are being fully utilised by local industry.

“Through the elimination of stereotypes, we can develop an engineering pathway to inspire children and young adults and encourage them to pursue careers in an exciting, dynamic environment which is future-proof.”

Invest NI’s Collaborative Growth Programme is aimed at SME-led networks, and provides support for groups to pursue innovative collaborative projects and boost business competitiveness.

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