Happy New Year! I hope 2026 is off to a great start for you. Welcome to the first newsletter of 2026 🎉
As we head into a fresh year here in Antrim and Newtownabbey, it feels like the perfect time to slow down a bit, support local, and make the most of what’s right on our doorstep.
I’ve found you plenty to look forward to in this issue including:
Robin Hood still trying to outwit the Sheriff of Nothingman
Big Change Coming to Antrim Town Centre
Crumlin Company Donates £5,186 to Air Ambulance NI
Support for Older Residents Continues
Exciting Events Happening In Your Area
‘Simply The Best Restaurant in Ballyclare’
And more…
Let’s get to it.
~ Tom Smyth, Editor
🗓️ FEATURED EVENT 🗓️
Cuban Salsa Class | St Comgall’s Youth Club, Antrim | 7pm
Why not start the new year by taking a beginner-friendly Cuban salsa and Latin dance class.
Perfect if you’ve ever wanted to try Cuban dancing but don’t have any experience.
You’ll soon master new dance steps, move to lively Latin rhythms, and laugh more than you have all year!
Issue #3: 2nd January, 2026
🗞️ THIS WEEK IN THE BOROUGH
🛍️ The Junction Finishes 2025 on a High – Big Names Renew!
The Junction Retail & Leisure Park in Antrim is riding strong into the new year, with long-standing tenants Next and Denby both renewing their leases and strong sales figures beating national retail trends.
Next is entering its 22nd year onsite with upgraded fitting rooms planned, while Denby continues to offer its handcrafted homeware favourites.
It’s a positive boost for local shopping and jobs heading into 2026!
🚁 Crumlin Company Donates £5,186 to Air Ambulance NI
Crumlin-based firm Relinea has made a generous £5,186 donation to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, helping support its life-saving Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.
The team visited the HEMS base in Lisburn to hand over the funds and see firsthand how the charity delivers fast, critical care across the province at a moment’s notice.
It’s a brilliant example of local business giving back and making a real difference in our communities!
🎄 Parkhall Integrated Brings Festive Spirit to All Ages!
Parkhall Integrated College opened its doors for a heart-warming inter-generational Christmas party, welcoming everyone from nursery pupils to care-home residents for an afternoon of carols, laughter and festive fun.
With performances from the school choir and Steeple Nursery, tasty treats, and a surprise visit from a special North Pole guest, the event celebrated community connection and seasonal joy.
A big thanks to local sponsors who helped make it happen!
🗓️ EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Saturday 3rd
Ballyclare Parkrun #230 | Sixmile Park, Ballyclare | 9.30am
Valley Parkrun #527 | V36 Park, Newtownabbey | 9.30am
Antrim Parkrun #516 | Loughshore Park, Antrim | 9.30am
Robin Hood Panto | Theatre At The Mill, Newtownabbey | 1.30pm
Belfast Actually 2 | Theatre At The Mill, Newtownabbey | 5pm, 8pm
John Garrity Music | Top Of The Town, Antrim | 8pm
Kieran Divine | Whiteabbey RBL | 8.45pm
Sunday 4th
Clubbercise | Abbey Community College, Newtownabbey | 11.45am
Lydia | Whiteabbey RBL | 8.45pm
Monday 5th
Open Day | Ballyclare Secondary School | 2pm
Tuesday 6th
Marketing Your Business Using Canva | Zoom Online | 10am
Female Only Bootcamp | 3 portland avenue, Glengormley | 7pm
Cuban Salsa Class | Tír Na NÓg Randalstown (Old Clubhouse ) | 7.30pm
Bobbin Lace | Spinning Room Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey | 7pm
Wednesday 7th
Love Enterprise Coffee Chats | Third Day Coffee, Antrim | 9.30am
Embroidery | Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey | 2pm
Cuban Salsa Class | St Comgall’s Youth Club, Antrim | 7pm
Thursday 8th
Crochet | Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey | 7pm
Friday 9th
Football Fun & Development | Sports Complex, UUJ , BT37 0QB | 4pm
Do you have a local event coming up that you’d like to share with us?
❎ VOTES, MOTIONS & MATTERS
Every month the council has a number of meetings and the decisions made can affect everyone across the borough!
Here are some highlights from December 2025 that you should know.
👵 Support for Older Residents Continues
The meeting opened with an update from the Antrim and Newtownabbey Seniors’ Forum, which supports residents aged 50+ through education, social activities, and health-focused programmes.
The Forum is receiving £15,000 in council funding for 2025/26
Councillors asked the Forum to increase outreach in Antrim, Crumlin, and Randalstown
Officers continue to work closely with health and housing partners to monitor impact
This means continued support for social connection and wellbeing among older residents across the borough.
💷 Leisure & Parks: Price Changes Coming in 2026/27
Councillors approved a 3.5% inflationary increase across parks, leisure, and bereavement services for the 2026/27 financial year.
Two changes stood out:
£10 spa “bolt-on” at Antrim Forum
The spa is now officially classed as a premium service. The extra charge is intended to manage high demand and improve the experience for users.Priority booking for local sports clubs
Clubs based within the Borough will get first refusal on council-owned sports facilities a move designed to keep facilities benefiting local communities first.
👉 What this means for residents:
Expect slightly higher prices, but better access for local clubs and less overcrowding in premium facilities.
🏘️ Big Change Coming to Antrim Town Centre: Castle Mall Redevelopment Approved
One of the most significant decisions of the evening was the approval of plans to partially demolish Castle Mall and redevelop the site.
What’s been approved:
39 new social housing homes, including:
1 detached house
14 terraced homes
24 apartments
One new retail unit
Solar panels, parking, and new amenity spaces
Improved pedestrian links between Railway Street and High Street
Why this matters locally: This is a major investment in Antrim town centre, bringing much-needed social housing, improving accessibility, and breathing new life into an underused site.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour.
🛣️ Council Backs “Caoimhé’s Law” for Road Safety
In a strong show of support for road safety, councillors backed a motion supporting Caoimhé’s Law, a proposed piece of legislation aimed at protecting vulnerable road users, particularly children and pedestrians.
The council agreed to:
Publicly support the campaign
Write to the Minister for Justice and local MLAs
Urge the Department for Infrastructure to begin drafting legislation
Explore public education measures within existing budgets
Invite campaign representatives to present to council committees
👉 Why this matters:
This sends a clear message that road safety is a local priority and that councils can play a role in influencing wider legislative change.
🤩 SIMPLY THE BEST
This week we decided to go with ‘Simply The Best’ restaurant in Ballyclare as rated by locals on Google.
McConnells of Doagh
Credit: McConnells
There’s a reason McConnells of Doagh is so highly rated on Google… because locals absolutely love it.
From the warm welcome at the door to the consistently excellent food, this is a place that delivers every single time.
Regulars praise the friendly staff, generous portions, and relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for everything from a casual lunch to a proper sit-down meal.
It’s reliable, welcoming, and proudly local. Exactly the kind of business that deserves a shout-out.
If you’re looking for a tried-and-tested favourite in the area, McConnells of Doagh is hard to beat. 👌
No wonder Google reviewers are loving it. This week, it’s Simply the Best in our Antrim & Newtownabbey roundup!
🙏THANKS FOR READING
That’s it for this issue. If you want to get in touch, just hit reply to this email and I’ll get back to you asap.
If you found this useful, feel free to share it with someone else around the Antrim and Newtownabbey area who might appreciate a clear, local update each week.
Next edition will land at the same time next Friday.