Other News In Brief

Man Suffers Broken Jaw In L'Derry Assault

Police are investigating a serious assault in the Fahan Street area of L'Derry during the early hours of Sunday morning, 16 February.

It was reported that sometime around 2.15am a 34 year old-man was walking along Fahan Street from the direction of Waterloo Street when he was attacked from behind by a group of people.

The victim suffered a suspected broken jaw and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Detective Constable Galbraith is appealing for anyone who was in the area of Fahan Street around the time of the incident and who witnessed the assault to contact detectives in Strand Road on 101, quoting reference 1567 16/02/20.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Major Concerns About Business Rates Revaluation- Alliance

The current rates revaluation of businesses is set to cause considerable difficulty for many local firms, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said.

Around 74,000 businesses will have their Net Annual Valuation reassessed to allow for their annual rates bill to be calculated.

Land and Property Services has now published the draft list of valuations and it is essential businesses check their revised valuation.

Mr Muir said the figures are a cause for concern.

"In many cases businesses are facing substantial increases, with some rates bills more than doubling," he commented.

"The hospitality sector is being particularly affected as the revised NAVs are calculated on trading information, so a business owner who has worked hard to make their business a success is penalised. This is an outdated method of valuation and needs to be reviewed urgently.

"I have met with some businesses affected and their representative trade bodies and there is genuine concern that some businesses may no longer be viable. An obvious way to alleviate these concerns is to introduce transitional relief, but the Finance Minister has already ruled this out. I believe this needs reviewed to ensure appropriate support is provided to the business sector. Government needs to help our economy grow, not penalise it through unfair taxes."

Draft valuations can be found online.

Craigavon Leisure Centre Set For August Opening

Northern Ireland's latest public leisure facility in Craigavon is on track to open in late summer 2020.

The £35 million South Lake Leisure Centre is set to open its doors in August following a 32-month build programme.

One of the region's largest public leisure complexes, the new centre will feature a 50-metre pool, a young children's indoor leisure water feature, a 1,000m2 state-of-the-art gym, multiple studios, sensory room, eight-court sports halls, spin studio, soft play area and an on-site café.

The cutting-edge facility also incorporates an outdoor water sports provision offering a wide range of water based activities including windsurfing, water skiing and paddle sports.

This marks the largest capital project undertaken by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to date.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mealla Campbell, said: "With a confirmed opening date only six months away, I'm delighted that this stunning new centre which will have fabulous facilities for everyone in the borough to access and enjoy, is almost complete.

"South Lake Leisure Centre provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform and dramatically enhance the quality of health and leisure provision within the borough, providing community access for everyone to the best facilities available in the UK and Ireland."

Award-winning construction company Farrans has been spearheading the transformative build since initial enabling works got underway early in 2018, creating 500 jobs on site during construction as part of a project which has delivered at least £6.5 million in direct wages to the local economy.

As part of the preparations to pave the way for the official opening of South Lake Leisure Centre, interim arrangements have also been agreed for the planned phase-out of nearby leisure facilities in Portadown (Cascade Leisure Centre), Lurgan (Waves Leisure Complex) and Brownlow (Craigavon Leisure Centre).

These facilities, which are approaching the end of their functional life, will continue to remain open to the public until late June and into August to ensure a seamless transition and to accommodate staff training and orientation of the new centre.



(JG/MH)