NI distillery buys historic Co Down site as part of ￡5m investment

There's exciting news for The Echlinville Distillery as it acquires the historic Ards Maltings building in Co Down for a major expansion of the business.

The property, which was once one of Ireland’s largest malting houses, is set to be restored and used by the business for its original purpose.

The number of whiskey distilleries in Northern Ireland is growing, with Irish whiskey one of the fastest growing drinks categories in the world.

• NI distillery buys historic Co Down site as part of ￡5m investment

Co Antrim firm Brett Martin Ltd has reported a fall in pre-tax profits for 2022 as rising costs take their toll.

In July, the firm announced it would be supplying transparent polycarbonate for Everton’s new 53,000-seat ground at Bramley Moore Dock.

The specialist polycarbonate material will cover over 6,000sqm of the stadium roof, transmitting sunlight through to the pitch.

• Co Antrim firm’s pre-tax profits plummet to ￡6.2m ahead of deal to work on Everton’s new stadium

Roger Pollen of FSB Northern Ireland (Federation of Small Businesses) talks to Margaret Canning about a career embracing music, lobbying... and even launching a record label with Sir Richard Branson.

Mr Pollen, FSB NI’s head of external affairs, is at the Labour Party Conference this week after attending last week’s Tory event. That will be followed by business group the British Irish Chamber’s Conference on Thursday, followed by the DUP conference on Friday and Saturday.

The mood in UK Government circles when it comes to Northern Ireland has changed, he feels.

“The official and the general chat is that Northern Ireland is done. ‘That’s sorted. The Windsor Framework sorted it. Move on’.”

• ‘I want politics and business in NI to run like an orchestra’

And Paul Gosling discusses why he's sceptical about recent productivity figures for Derry.

"In the case of Derry, the City Deal transformation remains more in the vision than in the reality. The outcomes are yet to arrive."

Finally, it was a great day at the Belfast Telegraph 2023 Property Awards in partnership with Openreach last Friday. Eoin Brannigan, Editor-in-Chief of the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, said: “It’s been a fantastic event which we’re proud to host every year to celebrate the property industry." Here are the winners ??

“It’s been getting bigger and better every year, from 250 guests in 2014 to just under 700 this year.

Our most read business stories in the last week (ICYMI):

1. Belfast gay bar and nightclub closes down
2. NI retail park sold for more than ￡10m to Ballymena firm
3. Independent Belfast coffee chain forced to close last three high street shops as rising costs blamed
4. Former KFC tycoon buys and rebrands Belfast city centre building
5. How house prices in your area have changed as NI market trends explained

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