Bangor by the Sea, Bangor, Bangor (2026)

04/02/2026

𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗚𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔 𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗚𝗘?
𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥?
Ahead of the public consultation later this month at the Old Court House, the former Flagship Centre is set to be re-imagined as a leisure and entertainment-led destination, with suggested uses including food and drink, family entertainment, indoor sports and recreation, business start-up & "Grade A" offices space and supporting other community uses.

This marks a clear shift away from the traditional shopping-centre model that many people still associate with the Flagship name.

A new project website, will launch on 26 February, alongside the consultation, offering more detail on the proposals.

It is also worth noting that the Pre-Application Notice (PAN) was approved by council planners today.
This is not planning permission, but confirmation that the correct process is being followed, with public consultation taking place before any full planning application is submitted.

💬 So what do you think?
Does the long-standing Flagship Centre name still fit, or does Marina Village better reflect the new vision and waterfront setting?

As always, BangorByTheSea welcomes thoughtful, constructive discussion.

04/02/2026

💗 LOOKING FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS WEEKEND? 💗

If you fancy doing something a bit more thoughtful and relaxing, these Valentine-themed events from Rejuvenating Therapies offer a lovely blend of fun, connection and calm right here in Bangor.

From a Galentine’s get-together with friends to a couples massage experience designed to help you properly switch off, it’s all about slowing the pace, enjoying good company, and taking a little time for yourself.

A gentle reminder that some of the best weekend plans are the ones that leave you feeling recharged, relaxed and smiling ✨

04/02/2026

🌿🕊️ 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗗 | 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗥 🕊️🌿
Planning permission has now been formally granted for “The Dove” sculpture at the new Marine Gardens. This marks another important milestone in Bangor’s major waterfront regeneration.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗩𝗘 & 𝗘𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗦𝗘

The Dove is the centrepiece of a trio of public artworks collectively titled Eclipse. Together they are intended to form a defining artistic identity for the reimagined gardens.

The Eclipse sculptures are being created by much acclaimed artist Colin Davidson, whose work is widely recognised for its strong visual presence in both public and gallery settings.

𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧

Positioned at the heart of Marine Gardens, The Dove will act as a clear visual and symbolic focal point, helping define the space as a place to pause, reflect and gather.

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗪𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡

As with the wider Marine Gardens scheme, the artworks form part of a broader ambition to
• Create a high quality civic space on Bangor’s waterfront
• Reintroduce structure, landscaping and seating to a long neglected area
• Establish a clear sense of place and identity
• Integrate public art with planting, pathways and coastal views

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗

While much of the recent progress on site has been taking place below ground, including drainage systems and foundations, this approval provides a clearer sense of how the completed space will read above ground.

The Eclipse artworks, with The Dove at their centre, are expected to become a distinctive and recognisable feature of the new Marine Gardens and the evolving Queen’s Parade waterfront.

03/02/2026

🌊𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔🌊
𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐒 & 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄
Planning is underway for 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, proposed for 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑 & 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟒 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, with activity across the 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 (𝟐𝟐–𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐚𝐲).

Following Sea Bangor 2025, a review is being carried out. Poor weather impacted attendance and led to the cancellation of on-water activity, highlighting the need to strengthen weather-proofing, refocus on maritime heritage, and increase involvement from local providers.

⚓ 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒 & 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐄
The Council has been approached by the Royal Navy regarding Bangor’s potential involvement in “𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞”, a UK-wide sailing initiative linked to the 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕.

🛟 Two traditionally rigged tall ships – 𝐏𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐰 and 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 – are scheduled to arrive in Bangor on 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟐 𝐌𝐚𝐲 and remain until 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐚𝐲
🛟 Early proposals include public ship tours, Royal Navy participation (subject to confirmation), and a hosted event for local veterans

🎖️ 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘
The proposed weekend also marks the 𝟏𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, an important date in Bangor’s military history. Opportunities to mark this will be explored with partners.

🚶𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓 & 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒
Officers are exploring the possible pedestrianisation of the area from Quay Street car park entrance to the Nines Hotel, working with PSNI and other partners.

🚶‍♂️ This could reduce congestion on the Pier
🚶‍♂️ Allow food trucks to be relocated
🚶‍♂️ Create space for maritime-themed activity

🗺️ 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒
The Sea Bangor passport scheme is proposed to return, with traders encouraged to take part in the maritime theme.

🗺️ Participating businesses would be clearly marked
🗺️ A visitor map would help guide people around the city

ℹ️ All of the above are 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 and will be refined through further planning, consultation, and operational assessment.

Further updates will be shared as plans progress.

#

02/02/2026

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗬
Bangor is set to welcome two impressive tall ships as part of the 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 sailing expedition, a 𝟮,𝟬𝟬𝟬-𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹-𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲 circumnavigation of the UK taking place ahead of 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳.

Led by 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 in partnership with the 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀, the expedition will see two traditionally rigged vessels, 𝗣𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘄 and 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, call at ports across all four nations over a 𝟭𝟮-𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 voyage.

The ships are scheduled to arrive in 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟮 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, remaining until 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟱 𝗠𝗮𝘆 (𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆), creating a striking maritime presence in the city over a busy spring weekend.

The voyage begins in 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, travelling anticlockwise around the UK before returning there on 𝟭𝟭 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. Along the way, the expedition carries the 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴, marking one year to go until the Birmingham 2027 Games and sharing a wider message of resilience, recovery and connection through sailing and the sea.

Locally, there is optimism that the visit could be aligned with the annual 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗿 festival, with council officers proposing to retain the same Sea Bangor weekend in 2026, 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟯 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟰 𝗠𝗮𝘆, to coincide with the ships’ stay.

If brought together, this would offer:
• A strong visual centrepiece for 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗿
• A celebration of Bangor’s maritime setting and working harbour
• An opportunity to connect a local festival with a wider UK-wide sailing journey
• A welcoming, inclusive event for residents and visitors alike

𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 is designed to be as much about people and place as it is about the voyage itself, and its stop in Bangor would sit naturally alongside Sea Bangor’s focus on the coast, the water and shared experiences by the sea.

Further information on the expedition can be found at the"FULL CIRCLE" website. Link in the comments below:-

📅 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: Friday 22 to Monday 25 May 2026
🌊 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026

01/02/2026

𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 🌿🌧️
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧’𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘?
A few followers have commented that progress at Marine Gardens appears to have slowed. That’s understandable as we’re in the middle of winter, with short daylight hours and above-average rainfall, which naturally affects what can be visibly delivered on site.

However, while there may be fewer dramatic changes week-to-week, a significant amount of complex engineering work has been progressing, much of it out of public view.

𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 💧
One of the most important phases currently underway is the installation of a comprehensive drainage network across the site. This includes:
• Large underground drainage pipes
• Multiple inspection chambers
• Surface water connections feeding into underground systems

These are essential to ensure the gardens cope with heavy rainfall, prevent surface flooding, and protect future landscaping and structures.

𝗚𝗘𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗦 🧩
You may have spotted rectangular grids made up of smaller plastic cells being installed. These are geocellular drainage crates which are effectively underground water storage systems that:
• Temporarily hold rainwater
• Release it slowly into the drainage network
• Support paths, lawns and hard landscaping above

Once wrapped in membrane and buried, they disappear entirely, but they play a crucial role in the long-term resilience of the site.

𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗪, 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 🏗️
Across Marine Gardens, foundations are now being formed for:
• Future paths and walkways
• Terraced seating walls facing the plaza and fountain
• Kiosks along the promenade
• Raised planting beds, lawns and landscaped areas

Additionally, extensive electrical infrastructure is also being installed.

These works involve excavation, drainage, structural layers and backfill, all essential groundwork before any visible finishes can be installed.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥 👀
Groundworks are often the least visually exciting part of a project, but they are also the most critical. Getting this stage right now ensures that when spring arrives, progress above ground can accelerate quickly and safely.

In short: Marine Gardens hasn’t stalled, it’s being engineered from the ground up.

As always, BangorByTheSea will keep tracking progress and sharing updates as the site begins to visibly transform in the months ahead.

30/01/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗚𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧
Walking past 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵’𝘀, a shop that generations in Bangor will instantly recognise for everything from 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘆𝘀, we genuinely had to stop in our tracks.

With the existing shopfront sign removed, what has been revealed is a quietly powerful reminder of another era. In a single glance, it takes you back to a time when shops felt permanent, when local businesses were built with the expectation of being there for decades.

Before laser cutting and modern composites, shop signage was hand crafted, and mosaic finishes were a common feature across Bangor shopfronts. They were not always used for signs themselves, but often as backgrounds, borders, entrances or window surrounds. Subtle details that became part of the fabric of the street.

Seeing this uncovered again feels like opening a small 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗘 on the High Street.

👇𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗦?

29/01/2026

🍕 𝗣𝗜𝗭𝗭𝗔 𝗛𝗨𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗥 🍕
📍 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸

Having previously traded in Bangor some years ago, Pizza Hut is now back in the city, creating up to 20 local jobs and adding fresh momentum to the hospitality offering.

Inside the newly opened restaurant, diners can expect all the classics that made Pizza Hut a household name, with its deep pan and stuffed-crust pizzas, chicken, sides and those indulgent desserts that fans still talk about.
Yes… 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗻 & 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆’𝘀 is very much still on the menu. 🍪🍨

Whether you’re sitting in, collecting, or ordering delivery, this reopening is another positive signal of confidence, investment and momentum in Bangor!

Welcome back to Bangor, Pizza Hut.
The city’s food scene just got a familiar favourite back. 🍕

𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗜𝗭𝗭𝗔 𝗡𝗢𝗪 — 𝗦𝗘𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦🍕

29/01/2026

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗨-𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛
Following widespread anger across Northern Ireland, the Finance Minister has halted the controversial Reval2026 commercial rates process after intense pressure from the hospitality sector.

The proposed revaluations sparked serious concern, particularly in places like Bangor, where hotels, pubs, cafés and restaurants are central to the local economy and town centre footfall. Some businesses were facing rates bills that could have doubled or even tripled.

Today’s announcement has been met with clear relief, particularly from hospitality leaders who warned the sector had been pushed to crisis point during an already difficult cost-of-doing-business environment.

Businesses will now be billed using October 2023 values for the incoming year, while further steps are considered.

The decision has been widely welcomed by Hospitality Ulster and NI Chamber, who have called for clarity, transparency and a sustainable rating system that allows businesses to survive, invest and grow.

For many local traders, this pause will feel less like a political U-turn and more like a necessary intervention to protect one of the backbones of Bangor’s economy.

29/01/2026

𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗛

The 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝟲𝟰 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁, 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗿 (𝗕𝗧𝟮𝟬 𝟱𝗔𝗤) is scheduled to 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟵 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

The closure forms part of a wider restructuring programme, with customers encouraged to use alternative banking services once the branch shuts.

𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦
• 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 64 Main Street, Bangor, BT20 5AQ
• 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 29 April 2026

𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
• 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 – cash withdrawals, cash deposits and balance enquiries
• 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 – visiting local community venues such as libraries or community centres to provide face-to-face support
• 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 – online banking and the Santander mobile app

Santander has also confirmed that 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗹𝗲𝘆, are due to close around the same period.

28/01/2026

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨
𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝟰.𝟳𝟰% 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟳
Ards and North Down Borough Council has agreed a 𝟰.𝟳𝟰% increase in district rates for both domestic and non-domestic properties for the 2026–27 financial year.

The decision was taken at a Special Council meeting tonight on Wednesday 28 January.
• Approx. £2.40 per month increase for the average household
• Approx. £13 per month increase for the average business

The Council says setting the rate requires balancing the delivery of day-to-day services and long-term investment, while keeping the impact on ratepayers as low as possible. It has also committed to ongoing scrutiny of spending and further efficiency savings where possible.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗗
Alongside statutory services, the 2026–27 budget is intended to support projects seen as critical to the Borough’s future economic health, environmental sustainability and community wellbeing.

The Council says its approach is guided by three key principles:
• Growing the non-domestic rate base
• Targeting efficiencies without reducing services
• Planning responsibly for a major capital investment programme

𝗘𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬
Planned initiatives include:
• A “Recycling on the Go” pilot to improve recycling in public spaces
• Trials of kerbside collection for plastic bags and wrapping
• Mobile CCTV units to deter fly-tipping
• Continued progress on the Green Road to Donaghadee Greenway, extending active travel routes between Newtownards and Bangor

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬, 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗘𝗜𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘
The budget includes continued investment in community programmes:
• Sports development grants for clubs, athletes, teams and volunteers preparing for Glasgow 2028
• Planned improvements at Ards Blair Mayne and Bangor Aurora leisure centres
• Expansion of the Visually Aware Borough initiative to improve inclusive access across facilities

𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟
The Council will continue to focus on efficiencies in high-cost services:
• Waste management, supported by strong recycling performance
• A move from reactive to planned facilities maintenance
• Ongoing investment in energy management and renewable technologies, including solar panels

𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧
The agreed budget supports a capital programme of over £250 million, with more than half of the funding expected from central government.

Projects highlighted include:
• Ongoing construction at Marine Gardens
• Ballyholme Yacht Club and Pickie Fun Park progressing through pre-planning as part of the Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment
• Continued progress on the New Citizens Hub in Newtownards and the Innovation Hub in Holywood
• New Civic Offices and the proposed repurposing of Bangor Castle
• Planned demolition of the former NIE building at Balloo to enable future development

Support for local businesses will continue through the Supporting Thriving High Streets Programme, Chamber Grants and funding for Bangor BID. New Local Action Groups for Bangor and the four towns are expected to launch in Spring 2026.

The Council says careful borrowing and long-term financial planning will be essential, with this year’s budget making provision for capital investment well into the next decade.

28/01/2026

✨A LITTLE SLICE OF OLD BANGOR HEADING TO AUCTION
An interesting and very familiar name is appearing at Bangor Auctions tomorrow evening.

🕰️ LOT 647
🍴 CAPRONI PLATED CUTLERY

A set of 8 silver-plated fish knives and forks from the much-loved Caproni’s of Bangor.

🕔 Auction starts at 5.00pm tomorrow
📍 Bangor Auctions

A small but evocative reminder of a bygone time.

Bangor by the Sea

04/02/2026

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