Other NI News In Brief

Road Tragedy

A motorcyclist has died after being hit on the M2 in Belfast. Police said the man was knocked off his bike at around 8pm and that traffic was being diverted off the motorway at Greencastle last night as they investigated the circumstances.

Fishing Quotas Slammed

The DUP MEP Diane Dodds has warned that proposals released by the European Commission this week could spell the end for some of Northern Ireland's fishing fleet. The Commission is calling for a zero catch of cod in the Irish Sea in 2012, and a reduction in the prawn quota by 17% for the same year. The proposals will be discussed by Member States at the scheduled Fisheries Council in November. Speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Diane Dodds said: "While experience would tell us to expect nothing else from the European Commission when it comes to fisheries policy, the illogical basis of the quota announcements is really beyond belief. The Commission have called for no cod to be landed from fishing in the Irish Sea in 2012. Such a position is simply untenable," she said, adding: "I will be lobbying the Commission to adopt a more common sense approach that takes into account the fact that stocks are healthy and that our fishing fleet are responsible in their duties to sustainable fishing practices."

What's Next For Outlet?

Co Down's Outlet Village in Banbridge has announced that Next Clearance has signed a lease to open a 7,459 sq ft unit in early December. The high street retailer has been working with the new management team to create a bespoke large scale Next Clearance store. The signing represents the third brand to open at The Outlet in 2011 and, according to Fergus Byrne of Glenrye Property Services, the Asset Managers of the scheme, it is the biggest leasing deal to have taken place in Northern Ireland this year: "This is the first unit of this scale to be leased in this market this year, securing Next Clearance illustrates their confidence in The Outlet," he said.

Art Funds UCF Charity

The Duke and Duchess of Abercorn recently joined artist Nicola Russell, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) and Friends of the Cancer Centre at the launch of a unique fundraising initiative at the Ulster Museum. The prints are being sold at special prices for this charity event so is an instant investment. As the prints are limited they will increase in value over time. Recent prints have raised £1,200 each at auction. Nicola, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, has produced a beautiful oil painting of a Yellowhammer, a threatened Irish bird species. From this painting a limited number of high quality prints, all personally signed by the artist, have been produced and went on sale at the preview evening at the Museum. See: www.ulstercancer.org

RUC Recognised

A DUP Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Jonathan Craig MLA has welcomed confirmation that a new Policing Museum is to be built. Mr. Craig said he hoped that work on the project, which was secured by the DUP after discussions with the Government. "The Royal Ulster Constabulary stood in the front-line of the campaign against terrorism in Northern Ireland. Their predecessors in the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Ulster Special Constabulary also served the community well," he said, adding that the bravery and sacrifice of the RUC was recognised by Her Majesty The Queen when she awarded the RUC the George Cross for bravery. "It is important, as a society, to remember those brave men and women who served our community in the RUC and its predecessors. A museum will be an excellent means of remembrance for the families of those who lost their lives in the RUC. It will also serve an important role as an educational resource about the history of policing in Northern Ireland."

SHS Backed By Northern

A grocery distributor has completed the next stage of a £6 million investment aimed at reducing costs and increasing efficiencies. The SHS Group said an agreement to integrate banking platforms with Northern Bank marked one of the last phases of a five year programme to implement the Enterprise software across its operations. The company employs more than 750 staff across sites in the UK and Ireland and recorded a turnover of more than £370 million in 2010. In May, the Group, which owns a number of leading brands, acquired Bottlegreen Drinks Limited, a manufacturer of premium adult soft drinks, adding it to a list of 11 subsidiary companies. Arthur Richmond, Finance Director of the SHS Group, said the introduction of the software was a long-term investment that would support the company’s ambitious growth strategy. "Northern Bank's system allows us to maximise accountability within each Group company throughout the UK and Ireland. It will ensure better working capital management as well as maximising banking efficiencies due to a number of automated processes with our SAP system providing faster updates for our Finance teams," he added.

(BMcC/CD)