Gas customers in NI warned of further price increases
Gas customers in Northern Ireland are being warned to expect more price rises in the near future.
The warning comes from the Utility Regulator, which is reviewing tariffs for suppliers SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus Energy.
Wholesale gas prices are being blamed, with Utility Regulator Chief Executive, John French saying, “Unfortunately, these increases in wholesale gas price increases will have an impact on consumers in Northern Ireland, as wholesale energy costs now make up three quarters of consumers’ bills.”
The news comes the same day that Inflation’s hit double figures; soaring to a new 40 year high of 10.1%.
Templemore baths restoration near complete
It has been described as a “painstaking labour of love”, with workers embracing construction methods and materials from days long gone by.
Now the job of restoring Templemore Baths in east Belfast is coming close to completion.
The baths at Templemore are the last functioning Victorian public baths on the island of Ireland, having first opened in 1883.
The restoration project, which was conceived in 2014, has cost £17m.
A major extension will provide an additional 25m pool with six lanes, while there is also an 80-station fitness suite, spa facilities, a cafe and visitor centre.
Donaghadee’s Gunpowder Store Reopens Following Renovation
Following a recent renovation, the Gunpowder Store at Donaghadee Moat has reopened.
The beloved landmark known locally as ‘the Moat’, has recently been restored under the Donaghadee Townscape Heritage Initiative, with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Ards and North Down Borough Council.
Originally constructed by the Anglo-Normans in the 12th century, and with a castle being constructed in 1821 as storage for explosives, the Store now houses Ireland’s only camera obscura – an ancient optical device that lets light in through a 400mm wide opening on one side and projects an image on the other.
The Gunpowder Store is now open to the public every weekend from 10am to 4pm until September. Admission is free. For more information go to visitardsandnorthdown.com
And in Entertainment……
Real life Drama in new Hotel Series
The Hotel People, a new observational series where viewers can follow the team behind the Hastings Hotels Group – NI’s largest family owned luxury hotel chain begins on Monday. Produced by Waddell Media with support from Northern Ireland Screen, this warm and invitational series sees the chain try to bounce back from some of the toughest times the hospitality industry has ever faced.
We follow the staff at all levels in four of the group’s hotels, as they pull together to navigate this new post-Covid version of hospitality. From the housekeepers trying to keep hundreds of rooms spotless while tackling bogus bedbug claims, to bar staff hoping to win the insta crowd with killer cocktails and chefs delivering high-end banquets for hundreds while mending wobbly wedding cakes to keep a big day special.
And we’re on the shoulders of the general managers as they welcome everyone from Premiership footballers and A-list actors to boxers and beauty queens while trouble shooting, keeping up staff morale and making sure guests don’t notice if there’s any drama behind-the-scenes. The Hotel People starts on Monday at 10.40pm on BBC1 Northern Ireland.
Channel 5 Detective drama filmed in Northern Ireland gets renewed for third series
A Channel 5 detective drama filmed in Northern Ireland has been given the green light for two more series. The show, based on P.D. James Inspector Dalgliesh Mysteries tales, will return to screens with series two very soon as filming is already underway in NI.
Dalgiesh is set in mid-1970’s England and follows Inspector Adam Dalgliesh, a detective and widower, as he strives to solve unusual murders.
Actors and TV crew have already been seen in locations such as Ballymena over the last number of months as series two filming gets well underway. In 2021, Union Street in Belfast city centre was completely transformed into a 70s market to accommodate the filming of the first series.
According to NI Screen, the second series of Dalgliesh will adapt another three novels, each being told over two hour-long episodes. Bertie Carvel will reprise the role of the uniquely enigmatic detective, Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh.
Hear Tina Calder’s daily news bulletins on Belfast 247 – belfast247onair.com