Brook Leisure Centre officially opens to the public

Lord Mayor, Councillor Daniel Baker (second from left), is joined at the unveiling of a plaque to officially open the new £15 million Brook Leisure Centre today by (from left to right) Gareth Kirk, Regional Director of GLL, Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council and Alderman Brian Kingston, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Daniel Baker, officially opened the new £15 million Brook Leisure Centre today (17 January) following a busy first month when it welcomed almost 8,000 visitors.

Brook, which will focus largely on outdoor leisure provision, is the third of seven new centres to open as part of Belfast City Council’s £105 million Leisure Transformation Programme – the biggest investment in leisure services in the UK.

Key facilities include two 3G pitches suitable for Gaelic and soccer, covered and uncovered five-a-side soccer pitches, a hurling wall, a playground, a 60 station gym, a sports hall and a multi-purpose room. It also brings swimming to the Brook area for the first time with the addition of a four lane, 25 metre pool that can be transformed into a sensory pool – the first in Belfast.

The Lord Mayor said: “I’m very excited to be opening this outstanding new centre today. The new Brook will welcome sports clubs and users from all over Belfast and further afield, and the facilities will also play a vital role in improving health and wellbeing in the local community, which is a central aim of the Belfast Agenda, the city’s community plan.

“The investment in leisure services in Belfast is unrivalled. Crucially, these five star facilities will be available at three star prices so that they are accessible to everyone in the city.

“With that principle in mind, I am also delighted to confirm that a proposal is being submitted to Council this month seeking approval for the pilot family membership scheme, currently on trial at Olympia, to be rolled out citywide in March. Over the summer this pilot will be reviewed, with the intention to launch a fully developed family leisure membership package in the autumn.”

Gareth Kirk, Regional Director of GLL, said: “GLL is proud and excited to officially open Brook Leisure Centre for the public’s full use. Following on from the amazing success of Olympia and Lisnasharragh opening last week, leisure and fitness facilities right across Belfast are truly outstanding. GLL’s partnership with Belfast City Council is committed to helping people across the city become more active more often. The opening of Brook and Lisnasharragh is a massive step forward in this mission.”

“Brook is a first class sporting facility with endless opportunities for training and development, especially in outdoor sporting activity. With the first of its kind hurling wall, and the largest sensory pool in the UK and Ireland, Brook has transformed into a remarkable centre for all people.”

“Brook has already seen an influx of new members, and with over 3,500 visits to the centre in the past month, we are confident that the centre will be a real success for the wider community.”

“We look forward to welcoming even more of the local community to come and check out these two outstanding new centres in the coming weeks.”

Further details on the council’s £105 million Leisure Transformation Programme can be found at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/transformingleisure. For information of the new facilities at Brook, visit www.better.org.uk/brook

Derry Chamber comment on funding for Graduate Entry Medical School

Redmond McFadden, President, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce

Commenting on the British Government’s commitment of £2 billion to support the restored Northern Ireland Executive, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce President Redmond McFadden said:

“I am very pleased that £60 million of capital and resource funding has been ringfenced by the Government to deliver on the long-awaited Graduate Entry Medical School for Derry~Londonderry. This is excellent news for the city and the future of healthcare in Northern Ireland. With £45 million provided by the Inclusive Future Fund, announced in May 2019, we hope that the remaining City Deal projects are prioritised as a matter of urgency by the Executive.

“We welcomed Health Minster Swann’s comments in the Assembly on Tuesday that there is ‘an intention of goodwill’ on delivering this vital project for the North West but the new Executive must now commit to delivering on its promise as soon as possible. We will work closely with all our partners in government to ensure this intention becomes a reality.”

Hospitality Ulster calls on Chancellor to scrap Air Passenger Duty

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster

Hospitality Ulster has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to scrap Air Passenger Duty with immediate effect.

The body has stated that news on the unknown future of Flybe has shone a bright light on the negative impact that the duty has had on the airline, and adds that the tax is putting Northern Ireland, in particular, at a distinct disadvantage with other European destinations.

The Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster has said that the tax puts the local hospitality sector in a precarious position as visitors and tourists decide to go elsewhere which means the local economy is potentially missing out on millions of additional spend.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said today:

“We call on the Chancellor to intervene and abolish this unnecessary tax which pushes up airfares and actively discourages tourists from coming here as we struggle to compete with other destinations in Europe.”

“The knock on impact that this has for the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland should not be underestimated. It deters visitors from coming here and hinders the growth of a sector that benefits the whole economy.”

“The Chancellor set out in his budget in 2018 a commitment to review APD and that a technical group would be set up. This has proved to be nothing but hot air and now we have a real and present problem brought about by inertia. It’s time to act now on this tax to help promote tourism and hospitality, not strangle it.”

Graham Keddie, Managing Director of Belfast International Airport added:

"It is very clear that APD is a competitive disadvantage to Northern Ireland, the tourism and hospitality sectors, and the wider economy.”

“Maintaining APD makes no sense, a fact recognised by the Republic of Ireland, which abolished its airport tax a number of years ago and which has reaped the benefits.”

“Abolishing APD would allow Northern Ireland to better compete for more flights and routes into Northern Ireland, helping the region grow visitor numbers and the attendant visitor spend.”

“Many additional jobs could be created if we had the economic leverage of removing the tax from flights. It would have a significantly positive effect and we join Hospitality Ulster in its call to scrap it.”

The New NI Assembly Speakers, Ministers and Business Committee at the Northern Ireland Assembly

Speaker of the Assembly: Alex Maskey MLA, Sinn Fein

Deputy Speaker: Christopher Stalford MLA, DUP

Deputy Speaker: Roy Beggs MLA, UUP

Deputy Speaker: Patsy McGlone MLA, SDLP

Executive Office First Minster: Arlene Foster MLA, DUP

Executive Office Deputy First Minister: Michelle O’Neill MLA, Sinn Fein

Executive Office Junior Minister: Gordon Lyons MLA, DUP

Executive Office Junior Minister: Declan Kearney MLA, Sinn Fein

Department of Finance: Conor Murphy MLA, Sinn Fein

Department for the Economy: Diane Dodds MLA, DUP

Department of Health: Robin Swann MLA, UUP

Department for Communities: Deirdre Hargey MLA, Sinn Fein

Department for Education: Peter Weir MLA, DUP

Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: Edwin Poots MLA, DUP

Department for Infrastructure: Nichola Mallon MLA, SDLP

Department of Justice: Naomi Long MLA, Alliance

NI Assembly Business Committee:

The Speaker, Alex Maskey (ex officio);
Ms Kellie Armstrong MLA
Ms Clare Bailey MLA
Mr Robbie Butler MLA
Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA
Mr Gordon Lyons MLA
Mr Declan McAleer MLA
Mr Colin McGrath MLA
Mr Andrew Muir MLA
Ms Caral Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr George Robinson MLA
Mr John Stewart MLA

Brown O’Connor Communications provides fast, accurate and relevant political monitoring and research services for the public, private and non-profit sectors. We can help you track the latest developments in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Local NI Councils, Westminster and the Oireachtas. To find out more, please get in touch at arlene@brownoconnor.com or chris@brownoconnor.com.

Media Statement from Foyle Port on agreed deal

Commenting on the announcement that the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ document has been agreed and the Assembly is to be restored, Foyle Port Chief Executive, Brian McGrath commented:

“We warmly welcome the news that the Assembly is to be restored after the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ document has been agreed after much hard work by the two governments and the political parties.”

Brian McGrath, CEO, Foyle Port

“The new agreement makes significant commitments which will improve the North West regional economy and I particularly welcome the contributions on infrastructure funding and greater cross-border cooperation. Key pledges concerning the North West must now be dealt with as a matter of urgency in the new Assembly. It’s time to seize the opportunity and properly invest in the North West and unlock its vast economic potential to create jobs and boost investment.”

Media Statement from President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce on agreed deal

Commenting on the announcement that Sinn Féin and the DUP have approved a draft deal to restore devolution, President of the Londonderry Chamber Redmond McFadden said:

“News that a deal has largely been agreed is a huge relief. For three years, there has been a complete vacuum of political decision-making in Northern Ireland and our economy and our society has suffered greatly as a result.

“Key commitments in the deal concerning the North West now need to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. We must see the immediate roll-out of the City Deal package; greater investment in skills and education programmes; the expansion of the university and the establishment of a medical school at Magee; and improvements to our regional infrastructure, to ensure greater connectivity to and from the North West.

Redmond McFadden, President

“The business community in the North West welcomes this step by the parties. It is time to make the region a vibrant and attractive place to live and do business and we stand ready to work with a new Executive to make these commitments a reality.”

Media Statement from Hospitality Ulster on agreed deal

Reacting to the latest news that a deal has been agreed and that the Assembly will be restored, Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster said:

“This is really welcome news that the deal is now largely over the line and a way forward has been agreed, restoring the Assembly after three years.”

“We recognise there are many pressing social issues, such as health and education to address. But there are also pressing economic issues like the challenges presented by outdated liquor licensing, an uncompetitive rate of hospitality VAT, Air Passenger Duty and the highest business rates in the UK, which have been highlighted by the Reval 2020 showing the serious issues around the ‘receipts and expenditure model’ on which rates are assessed in parts of the sector.”

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster

“Many will recall that the bill to reform our licensing laws had already been introduced to the last Assembly prior to its collapse, with much of the heavy lifting in terms of drafting already carried out.”

“We welcome that licensing legislation is contained in the new Assembly deal and we will ensure that the leaders of the five main parties will see through their promise and written commitment to us in making those required legislative changes swiftly and decisively for the benefit of the sector and wider economy. We look forward to getting to work on this immediately.”

“We now seek urgent meetings with incoming Ministers and party spokespeople to move these issues forward with real intent.”

Derry Chamber statement on political meeting and 'New Decade New Approach' agreement

Londonderry Chamber of Commerce President Redmond McFadden

Following a meeting between business and civic representatives with the five political parties on Thursday evening, Redmond McFadden, President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce said:

“The Londonderry Chamber as well as other representatives of business, education, health, trade unions and civic organisations, held a meeting with the five main political parties at Stormont last night.

“At that meeting we pressed the urgent need for the parties to agree the draft deal which was published by the British and Irish Governments. Three years without Ministers making local decisions has had an enormous impact on our economy and wider society. A lack of effective and meaningful representation here is curtailing investment in our region, stifling job creation and driving our young people away.

“Society can only prosper when there is political and economic stability. At this crucial time, we want to demonstrate our firm support for the deal and were clear to party representatives that we must get the Executive up and running again.

“We know there is still some heavy lifting to be done but we are here to support the parties and the two Governments and we would strongly encourage people to support politicians in their efforts to get a deal done before another deadline passes.

“Working together, political, business and civic leaders can help ensure that we move forward as a society and leave no one behind.”

Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre welcomes 1,600 in first month

GLL Regional Director Gareth Kirk with Lord Mayor of Belfast Daniel Baker and Alderman Brian Kingston at the official opening of Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre.

Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre was officially opened today following a busy first month when over 1,600 new members checked out the new aquatics centre for Belfast.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Daniel Baker, joined Gareth Kirk, Regional Director of GLL - the social enterprise who run the council’s 14 leisure centres under the ‘Better’ brand - to mark the milestone, with a ceremonial plaque being unveiled inside the new building on Montgomery Road.

The opening of the new £20 million centre is part of Belfast City Council’s £105 million Leisure Transformation Programme – the biggest investment in leisure services in the UK. It includes a 25 metre, eight lane gala pool with 250 spectator seats, a diving and learner pool with moveable floor, a 140 station gym, a sports hall, spin and exercise studios, a multi-purpose room, two outdoor five-a-side pitches, a cafe and a community facility.

Lord Mayor Daniel Baker said:

“I’m delighted to officially open this amazing new state-of-the-art centre today. It will play an important part in delivering the Belfast Agenda vision of building a city where everyone experiences good health and wellbeing by 2035.

“The scale of investment in leisure facilities in Belfast is unrivalled, with seven new centres being built over a ten year period. These five star facilities will be available at three star prices so that they are accessible to everyone in the city.

“Lisnasharragh is the second of the new centres to be completed following the opening of Olympia in January 2017. It will be the new aquatics centre for Belfast and will be pivotal in helping us achieve our target to double pool usage to 1.5 million pool visits per year by 2030 and increase participation in pool-based activities across a wide range of user groups.

“We have also recently opened the outstanding Brook Leisure Centre, which is a hugely welcome addition to the Colin area of Belfast, while excitement amongst families is palpable ahead of the opening of the new Andersonstown Leisure Centre in a few months’ time. The next phase of the Leisure Transformation Programme is already underway with work starting at Avoniel this month and work on the restoration and expansion of Templemore Baths due to start later this year.”

Gareth Kirk, GLL Regional Director, said:

“GLL is incredibly proud that the Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre is officially opening today. The opening of this centre, along with Brook Leisure Centre in West Belfast, continues to offer premium standard facilities to fulfil our aim of getting more people more active more often across the city.”

“Lisnasharragh transforms aquatics in the city and introduces some features that have never before been seen here. We have a new eight lane pool - the biggest in Belfast - that is equipped with timing devices for gala swimming and will also have the first Tom Daley Diving Academy.”

“It has been fantastic to see the public support our new centres already, with Lisnasharragh having 1,600 new members joining so far, and in its first month of operation the centre received 18,000 visits.”

“We look forward to welcoming even more of the local community to come and check out these two outstanding new centres in the coming weeks.”

Further details on the council’s £105 million Leisure Transformation Programme can be found at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/transformingleisure.

For information of the new facilities at Lisnasharragh, visit www.better.org.uk/lisnasharragh 

Hospitality sector dealt bitter blow as outdated rating model drives significant rates increases

Colin Neill, Chief Executive Hospitality Ulster

Hospitality Ulster calls on Government to fix broken rates model before it is too late.

Hospitality Ulster has claimed that the hospitality sector has been dealt a significant blow after the publication of the Draft List of Values in the Non-Domestic Rates revaluation by the Land and Property Services which shows an expected sharp hike in rates for many businesses in the sector.

The representative body has said that the current rating system which is used to calculate the rates for pubs and hotels is “broken” and “not fit for purpose”.

The challenge by Hospitality Ulster to fix the antiquated system is due to the fact that the rating system is based on a ‘receipts and expenditure model’, which is calculated from turnover - unlike other non-domestic rates calculations, which are based on actual rental value.

The rating model is effectively another income tax, with success penalised and lack of profitability being ignored.

Business rates are crippling the Northern Ireland hospitality sector which is paying some of the highest rates in the UK with little in the way of rates relief schemes experienced by counterparts in Great Britain.

Hospitality Ulster has written to all its members to urgently check their new valuations on the LPS website as soon as possible as the delay in publication due to the General Election has resulted in a considerably reduced period for informally challenging the valuation.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster reacted:

“Our antiquated rating system needs radical change and is a major burden for our members. It is not only curtailing growth and dampening any ambition, it is actually impacting the very sustainability of many businesses in the sector.”

“It beggars belief that by 2020 this outdated system still hasn’t been addressed despite the repeated calls to change the process which is completely out of kilter with reality.”

“How can we on one hand be the sector which is celebrated on a global scale and contributes £1.2billion to the local economy, and on the other be taxed through rates to the point that we can no longer grow or invest. How can the plan to increase tourist spend be a Programme for Government target, whilst at the same time forcing some to assess their future in the hospitality sector.”

“The outworking of this defective model is that in many cases rates look likely to rise considerably and will be a bitter pill swallow for the many who have dedicated their careers to building some of our best known hospitality businesses. In certain cases it could have a catastrophic and negative impact on some livelihoods.”

“Businesses in the hospitality sector should immediately check their new draft valuations on the LPS website and contact us for advice if they feel the increase is unreasonable. Government must act to fix this system and also provide the same level of support enjoyed in England and Wales before it is too late.”