Hosted in partnership with Bank of Ireland, the flagship event is an opportunity to connect with potential new customers, pitch products and services and win new business. With more than 25 major buyers in attendance, it presents unprecedented access to procurement specialists through a bespoke matching service which is designed to ensure that mutually beneficial meetings take place.

Explaining further, Tanya Anderson, Head of International and Business Support at NI Chamber said: “Meet the Buyer is all about helping our members to ‘do business’ with potential new customers.

“We have secured a host of major buyers including CAF Rail, Coca-Cola HBC, Eakin Healthcare, Wright Bus and many others, who are all interested in meeting suppliers in the local market, bringing supply chains closer to home and availing of the quality products and services with NI firms have to offer. More than half of them are new to Meet the Buyer, so there are lots of fresh opportunities, including for those suppliers who have attended previously.

“The event is also an excellent networking opportunity, which will enable attendees to network with others, including people from outside of their own industries. We’re inviting suppliers to register their interest in attending now and encourage them to do so before the deadline of Friday 26 August.”

Niall Devlin, Head of Business Banking NI at Bank of Ireland UK added: “At Bank of Ireland we understand the importance of winning business, particularly in the current inflationary environment and with supply chain issues at the forefront of many businesses’ list of challenges.

“As businesses look at options to develop strength, resilience and agility to protect against future shocks, new buying or supplying opportunities are key. These include dual sourcing of raw materials, increasing stocks of critical products and regionalising supply chains, all of which present many opportunities to win business. That’s why this ‘Meet the Buyer’ event is an important opportunity for local SMEs. It provides unique access to buyers from well-known major business brands with significant buying power, and we’d encourage all local businesses to get involved.”

Buyers who will be attending to source new suppliers include Belfast City Council, Boomer Industries, CAF Rail, Camlin Group, Choice Housing, Coca-Cola HBC, Connex Offsite, Eakin Healthcare, Education Authority, Equans, Fibrus, Kane Group, McAleer & Rushe, McColgan’s Food, MJM Marine, Moy Park, NI Water, Nicholl Oils, NIE Networks, Nitronica, QUB, Translink, Ulster University, Unicorn Group, Wright Bus and Yelo.

The deadline to register your interest in attending a supplier is Friday 26 August 2022. To do so, contact phil.murray@northernirelandchamber.com. For more information on the event, visit the NI Chamber website.

Meet the Buyer with Bank of Ireland is delivered as part of NI Chamber’s Learn Grow Excel business support programme, which is also supported by SME Partner, Power NI.

Caption: Tanya Anderson (NI Chamber); Kevin O’Hara (CAF Rail); Niall Devlin (Bank of Ireland); Chris Wylie (CAF Rail) and Phil Murray (NI Chamber).

The post Suppliers invited to ‘get onboard’ for NI Chamber Meet the Buyer first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

A planning application for the Weavers Cross Regeneration Project has been submitted to Belfast City Council following community consultation.

The outline proposals by Translink set out plans for the 1.3 million sq ft brownfield site on land surrounding the new Belfast Transport Hub.

At its heart lies the approved Belfast Transport Hub and Saltwater Square: a central gathering place for events, recreation and connection.

Weavers Cross will have the potential to create mixed-use space for grade A office, residential, leisure, retail, hospitality, social enterprise, community space and public realm in the city centre.

Chris Conway, group chief executive at Translink, said: “We have sought to bring forward proposals that sets out a direction for inclusive regeneration to be delivered by an appointed developer partner.

“We are delighted that there has been resoundingly positive feedback across the local community, business, passengers and the wider public, about the opportunity that Weavers Cross can deliver.

“Utilising the Belfast Transport Hub as a catalyst for transport led-regeneration, Weavers Cross is not just an opportunity to create new modern employment space and homes in the city but will generate long-term jobs and social value.

“As a hugely important NI Executive Flagship project, it will contribute to enhancing the city in line with the Belfast Agenda ambitions, helping ensure its long-term success for the benefit of everyone.”

The post Plans submitted for Weavers Cross Regeneration Project first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The quirky competition created by leading convenience retailers, SuperValu and Centra and public transport provider, Translink, invited budding foodies across Northern Ireland to get creative and come up with a unique and healthy lunch recipe.

It also encouraged people to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors by packing a picnic and hopping aboard the bus or train to one of Northern Ireland’s many beauty spots.

Two finalists were shortlisted, with the final winner being chosen by public vote.

Lorraine Surgin from Ballynure, Co. Antrim devised a mouth-watering ‘Mediterranean Metro Wrap’, filled with hummus, spinach leaves, sun blushed tomatoes, roasted peppers, scallions, olives and feta cheese in a soft tortilla wrap. After a public vote, she has been named the winner.

Lorraine takes home a cash prize of £500 along with Translink travel ticket vouchers. Her winning Mediterranean Metro Wrap will also be served in participating Centra and SuperValu delis September, 3 – 16.

Commenting on her win, Lorraine Surgin said: “I was on holiday when the call came through to say that I was a finalist, and I just couldn’t believe it. I’m even more delighted to find out that I have won.

“I’m such a foodie and it will be great to see my lunch served up in selected SuperValu and Centra delis across Northern Ireland. It’s a healthy and tasty option and I hope that other people are going to enjoy it as much as we did.”

Desi Derby, Marketing Director, SuperValu & Centra said: “Congratulations to Lorraine – our well-deserved winner of the Healthy Lunch Off competition. Her ‘Mediterranean Metro Wrap’ is an appetising healthy lunch option, which we are sure will be a hit with our customers.”

Ursula Henderson, PR Manager, Translink also commented: “There is nothing better than packing a picnic and taking a day trip somewhere in Northern Ireland by bus or train, and Lorraine’s recipe is a great healthy option that can be enjoyed on the go.

As the summer draws to a close, there’s no better time to make the most of public transport and explore our local beauty spots.”

The post All wrapped up – Antrim woman wins top prize in healthy lunch off first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Budding foodies were encouraged to get creative and come up with a unique, healthy lunch idea in order to win some fantastic prizes. Two creative takes on a classic wrap have been shortlisted and it’s now up to the public to decide who should win.

Lorraine Surgin from Co. Antrim’s ‘Mediterranean Metro Wrap’ (below), includes a mouth-watering mix of hummus, spinach leaves, sun blushed tomatoes, roasted peppers, scallions, olives and feta cheese in a soft tortilla wrap.

Meanwhile, Barbara Campbell from Coleraine’s Cajun Chicken Wrap (below) brings a little spice to the palate, with sliced chicken fillet, shredded iceberg, sliced tomatoes, scallions, light Cajun mayo, seasoned with black pepper in a tortilla wrap. The public can now cast their vote for their favourite healthy lunch, via the SuperValu and Centra websites. Entries close on Wednesday 8^th August.

The overall winner will take home a cash prize of £500, along with Translink travel ticket vouchers and will also have their creation served in participating SuperValu and Centra delis for the whole country to sample. Part of the proceeds of the competition will be donated to SuperValu and Centra’s charity partner, Action Cancer.

Commenting on the announcement, Desi Derby, Marketing Director, SuperValu & Centra said: “We are delighted with the healthy lunch ideas that have been shortlisted. Both creations are unique, healthy and easy to make in a hurry with accessible ingredients available at our Centra and SuperValu stores.

“We are passionate about providing healthier alternatives at our stores and already serve an extensive range of healthier food and drinks including a Live Well range in Centra and a Health & Wellness range in SuperValu. However, we want to inspire young people and adults to think more about the choices they make when thinking about their lunch and that’s why this partnership initiative with Translink was so appealing.”

Ursula Henderson, PR Manager, Translink said: “There is nothing better than packing a picnic and taking a day trip somewhere in Northern Ireland by bus or train. Both finalists have put together lovely recipes that can be enjoyed on the go.“With the beautiful weather we are having, public transport is a great way to travel to get outside and explore Northern Ireland this summer.”

To vote for your favourite healthy lunch, simply visit www.supervalu.co.ukor www.centra.co.uk by the closing date, Wednesday 8^th August.

For further information on the Healthy Lunch Off supported by SuperValu, Centra and Translink visit www.supervalu.co.uk, www.centra.co.uk and www.translink.co.uk.

The post It’s a wrap – but which one should win healthy lunch off crown? first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.