:: Fast-growing IT infrastructure companyNovosco has increased its office footprint in Belfast by half as part of a £20 million expansion programme. It has acquired an additional 5,000 sq ft in the Concourse 3 building at Catalyst Inc in the Titanic Quarter as its headcount in the city continues to rise. The new office space is a floor below its existing 11,000 sq ft Belfast headquarters and will provide a base for staff working on a £107m contract secured with the NHS in England in 2018.
:: Ireland's first solar-powered hotel and spa complex plans to in Ballycastle in a multi million-pound investment which will create 45 jobs. The Salthouse, a luxury 24-bed eco hotel on the Dunamallaght Road, is a joint venture between Nigel McGarrity and north coast property developer Denis McHenry. Located on the same site as seven existing self-catering chalets, the Salthouse embraces its stunning location and successfully mix tradition and nature by using materials associated with the region, namely salt.
:: After more than a century selling what it claims are the best fish and chips in Belfast, diners at John Long's can now enjoy a beer or a wine with their seafood. It follows the Athol Street eaterie, which has been serving suppers since 1914, being granted a liquor license for the first time. "Long's is an iconic and historic part of Belfast's food offering, and now you can enjoy your favourite vino with your favourite food" said Linus Murray, a director at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors, who led the licensing application process.
:: Brighton-based Futrli, a cloud-based business decision-making platform, plans to create 80 high-paying operations and software engineering jobs in Belfast as part of a £5.5 million technology investment. Founded in 2014 by Aberdeen-born Hannah Dawson (whose husband hails from Co Down), it has raised £4 million in venture capital funding to expand its UK operations.
:: Accountancy practice PKF-FPM made history when it was named as the inaugural winner of the overall Employer of the Year honour at the 13th Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Titanic Belfast. In front of a 600-plus audience, the Newry firm was chosen from the 192 entries received. In their citation, the judges said: “PKF-FPM embodies a hard-working attitude backed up by creativity, ambition and energy, but which involves putting its people front and centre of everything it does, and in an innovative way.”
:: Long-established building firm Dixons Contractors in Dunloy called in the administrators, threatening the future of its 88 staff. The company works across three key divisions - Dixons Construction, Dixons Homes and Dixons Facades - and has been involved in a number of prestige contracts across Britain and Ireland. Dixons has been a major employer and contributor to the area since 1979.
