Posts

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

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.

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.

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.