Other NI News In Brief

Bollywood For Belfast

Pooja Sridher, Jaiya Devi, Anoushka Sharma and Aanika Sharma proudly display the Crescent Arts Centre's new spring programme, which is being delivered to 10,000 homes across Belfast. Bollywood-style dancing, mixing traditional Indian folk dancing with hip-hop moves, is just one of the 180 exciting and varied classes on offer. Traditional and contemporary classes such as ballet, flamenco and tap are also included in the programme. Enrolment takes place from Monday 11 to Friday 15 January. Classes at the south Belfast facility start on Monday 18 January.

Cafe Chain Sold

A successful cafe group that has just celebrated its tenth anniversary has been sold to a new owner. The Henderson Group, owners of the Vivo and Spar brands, has bought The Streat cafe chain. The Streat has 37 outlets in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, although the majority, 29, are in NI. The first Streat cafe was opened in 1999 by husband and wife team Michael and Nikki McQuillan. The Streat now employs 350 people and has an annual turnover in excess of £8m. It has expanded mainly through a franchise operation which started in 2003. The buyout was made though Henderson's Food Service Division.

Village Development Applauded

A Unionist Belfast City councillor has welcomed the announcement of plans to re-develop the Village area of the south of the city. "The Minister's announcement that she has taken on board the recommendations from the Independent Inspector is most welcome. News that the re-development is to go ahead will give local residents much to look forward to in 2010," said Bob Stoker, councillor for the area. "All those living in unfit homes will, at last, have something to look forward to in the New Year."

Tesco Weighs-Up Problem

An independent customer survey carried out by supermarket giant Tesco has shown that over half (61%) of shoppers consider themselves as being overweight. The survey, which was carried out at the Tesco Extra store at Knocknagoney, Belfast, reveals that 51% of shoppers deem themselves overweight, while a further 10% claim to be 'a little overweight' and 45% said that at least one member of their immediate family is overweight. Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said: "In Northern Ireland, as many as one in four people are obese. Worryingly this trend is not limited to adults alone but is also prevalent amongst our children, with recent data indicating that around one in four girls and one in five boys in Primary One are overweight or obese."

MBE Honour

Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Sir Reg Empey, has congratulated North Antrim MLA Rev Dr Robert Coulter on receiving an MBE in the New Year's Honours. "I offer my warmest congratulations to my Party colleague, Rev Dr Robert Coulter, on being recognised in the Queen's New Year's Honours list for public service in Northern Ireland. Long overdue, this honour is a recognition of the many, many years of dedicated public service given to the people of Northern Ireland by Rev Coulter, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission," he said.

Police Honours

NI Policing Board Chairman Barry Gilligan has offered his congratulations to police officers and police staff honoured in the New Year List. Police staff Gordon Curry and Pearl Palmer have been awarded MBEs. Chief Superintendent W.J.M. McDowell, Sergeant Bobby Ellison and Sergeant David McFall receive the Queen's Police Medal. Barry Gilligan said: "The Honours announced for these PSNI staff and officers recognise the commitment and service to the community and I offer warmest congratulations to all." Congratulations are also sent to former Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton who has been awarded a CBE: "Paul retired from policing with 29 years service and this honour recognises the substantial contribution he made during a distinguished policing career," Mr Gilligan said.

(BMcC/GK)