Other News In Brief

Comfizone Announces Workforce Expansion Plans

Coalisland-based manufacturer Comfizone is to double its workforce over the next two years.

The firm, which specialises in mattresses and bedding products, plans to recruit 16 additional staff to meet expected future demand for its products.

Peter Bradley, director and co-founder of Comfizone, said: "This expansion to our workforce forms part of our two year growth strategy to ramp up our sales outside Northern Ireland.

"Invest NI's support is enabling to proceed quickly with our recruitment plans and position ourselves competitively to secure new business."

New Hotel To Be Developed In Belfast

Planning permission has been approved to develop a new hotel in Belfast.

The new 188-bedroom hotel is to be situated in the City Quays area of the city. The site was last used as part of the former Seacat ferry terminal.

Belfast City Council's Planning Committee also approved a planning application for a six-storey rear extension to Jury's Hotel in Great Victoria Street which will provide 80 additional bedrooms, an office suite and car parking.

The hotel planning applications follow a number of others granted approval in recent months by the Committee.

The Planning Committee last night also gave the green light to a planning application for a new purpose-built managed student accommodation development on the Dublin Road with 156 bedrooms.

Permission was also given to an application for the demolition of an existing building at York Street to make way for a 12-storey mixed-use building with 407 student accommodation rooms.

Alliance Calls For Better Education Provision At School In Donaghdee

Alliance Strangford Assembly candidate Kellie Armstrong has called for better education provision at Killard House School in Donaghadee.

The councillor said the Education Minister must act to provide equitable provision of 16 plus education for young adults with learning difficulties at the school, adding a sixth form centre would allow pupils to 'complete their education'.

Councillor Armstrong said: "Killard House School already has the classroom space to provide additional education for both year 13 and 14 – so with the facilities already in place, the only thing missing is the investment for teaching provision.

"The Education Minister must work with Education Authority to ensure this vital funding is made available. A new sixth form centre will provide young adults with learning difficulties a safe environment to complete their education to the same level as children in mainstream schools."

(CD/JP)