From padel courts to retail giants to delicious food spots – lots is on the cards for NI!

There is always something new and exciting popping up across Northern Ireland, and 2026 has been no different.

From welcoming the first Sephora store on the island of Ireland to Wingstop opening not one, but three stores across the country, we love to see businesses thrive in our wee country.

We may be almost in autumn, but there is still plenty of newness on the cards for NI – from new shops to new food outlets to a new sports and fitness centre.

We have rounded up only some of the new openings we have reported on to keep an eye out for across the country:

Hollister

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Popular outlet shopping centre The Boulevard has confirmed the opening of Hollister’s second store in Northern Ireland.

Hollister, owned by Abercrombie & Fitch Co, was founded in 2000 and focuses on casual apparel and accessories for teens and young adults.

Belfast Live previously reported that plans submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to open a Hollister store in the former’s Peacock unit at The Boulevard.

Job postings have also appeared online, which show that Hollister is currently recruiting for staff members to join the team at the new store at The Boulevard.

So far, no opening date has been confirmed for the new store.

Mowgli

Indian street food chain Mowgli is set to open in Belfast city centre this year.

Mowgli has more than 20 restaurants across the UK, including two in London, Manchester, two in Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Cheltenham, Cardiff, and more.

The chain had said it was set to open its first location in Northern Ireland at Victoria Square this summer but no further updates have been issued on when customers can expect to be able to dine.

Branding has appeared on the unit at the shopping centre so hopefully customers will not have to wait too much longer.

House of Padel

A landmark new sports and wellness destination is set to transform a former industrial site in East Belfast following a £1.5million investment.

House of Padel has announced it will open its first Northern Ireland club in the new huge facility on Redcar Street, just off the Woodstock Road.

Set to officially open at the end of September, the club will feature six double padel courts, two single padel courts and three pickleball courts alongside a comprehensive range of fitness, wellness and social facilities.

These include a mat Pilates and yoga studio, weights room, cardio mezzanine and warm-up area, sauna, plunge pools and a health food and coffee bar, creating a premium club experience that goes well beyond traditional court hire.

Crocs

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Joining Hollister as a new retail addition to The Boulevard is global footwear giant Crocs.

It will be the first dedicated outlet store for the brand in Northern Ireland and was teased in a social media video alongside the message “Something new is stepping into The Boulevard” followed by crocodile and feet emojis.

While no official opening date has been announced, branding on the new store seems to hint that Crocs will be opening very soon.

North Face

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Another first for Northern Ireland, North Face is preparing to open its first-ever stand-alone store in the country at Victoria Square.

The shopping centre took to social media and said, “The North Face is coming soon to Victoria Square. Stay tuned for more!”

Alongside the post, hoarding has gone up outside the store on the lower ground of the centre, announcing the brand’s arrival.

It comes as the centre welcomed the opening of NI’s first Abercrombie & Fitch store last week.

Juice Jar

Juice Jar has announced the exciting plans that it is set to open another location in Belfast.

The popular juice company is opening its sixth Belfast location in the PEC at Queen’s University Belfast.

The healthy food spot has become famous for its juices, acai bowls and melts and was founded in 2019 by owner Sam Shepard.

Alongside the announcement on social media, they have let their followers know the exact opening date for the new spot. It will open on September 1, just in time for students returning to the city.

Wingstop

After only arriving in Northern Ireland earlier this year, Wingstop already has plans to open its fourth store in the country.

Wingstop opened its doors for the first time at Boucher Creasant in March this year, before opening a second store in Dundonald in May.

It opened a third store at Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon this summer and has sights on bringing their famous wings to the heart of Belfast City Centre.

‘Lemon Pepper Holdings’, the parent company for Wingstop, has submitted plans to open a store in Belfast City Centre. It is set to open its doors on Castle Place, in a unit occupied by Costa Coffee, right in the heart of the city.

La Bottega

An award-winning Italian restaurant, La Bottega, has submitted plans for a new venue on the North Coast.

La Bottega opened on Belfast’s Lisburn Road in November 2021, with owner Francesco Iaquinta’s goal being to serve up authentic deli dishes from the north and south of Italy.

Now, plans have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to open a La Bottega restaurant in Portrush.

The planning application seeks an internal fit-out and change of use of the first floor at 4 Castle Erin Road to form an authentic Italian pasta restaurant which will accommodate 60 diners.

Crusca Pasta Lab

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As if one new La Bottega addition wasn’t good enough, owners have also submitted plans to expand their offering in Belfast.

La Bottega submitted plans to Belfast City Council to open a second Belfast location beside Belfast City Hall on Donegall Square East.

The proposal seeks to transform the currently vacant commercial unit into a high-quality, artisanal culinary establishment designed as an “Italian Pasta Lab with a modern twist.”

Alongside the plans, a name can be seen on the proposed plans for the restaurant, which plans to operate on both a sit-in and takeaway basis. The plans suggest the restaurant’s name will be ‘Crusca’.

Orto

Pizza will not be going anywhere in a popular East Belfast neighbourhood as a new tenant has confirmed it will take over the former Greens Pizza site.

Last year, Greens announced the closure of its Ballyhackamore location after 13 years, sharing the news they would be handing the keys to new owners.

On Friday, popular Belfast pizza chain Orto revealed that it was the new owner and confirmed plans to open its fifth location in the unit, after much speculation.

Earlier this year, Orto teased a move into the east of the city but didn’t share any further information on which part of East Belfast they were setting up store.

They said the official opening date will be “coming soon”.

Hollywood Bowl

It is all happening at The Boulevard as the new multi-million-pound entertainment Hollywood Bowl complex prepares to open next month.

It will be the brand’s second site in Northern Ireland, with the popular Hollywood Bowl inside The O2 Belfast complex.

It is set to feature 21 ten-pin bowling lanes, state-of-the-art amusements and pool tables and will create over 45 new jobs when it opens in September.

Guests who visit the centre will also get to enjoy interactive darts, brand new e-karting, a live sports bar, and its famous diner featuring a selection of delicious food and drinks, including American classics such as hot dogs, burgers, shakes and signature cocktails.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter

A former Cirque du Soleil acrobat who suffered devastating injuries after falling 15 feet during a performance in front of a large crowd has sued the circus.

Mariia Konfektova, a Russian aerialist who holds the world record for most seated aerial hoop rotations in 30 seconds, was swinging on a hoop during Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA show in Portland, Oregon, in 2024 when she plunged to the ground.

Shortly after the accident, Cirque du Soleil stated that its performer was ‘recovering and being cared for by our medical and coaching team.’ 

The circus said at the time that Konfektova had fallen on her head and was hospitalized, leaving the full extent of her injuries unclear.

But a personal injury lawsuit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Thursday detailed that the aerialist suffered 11 broken bones, fractures to her lower back, wrist, skull and at least seven bones in her face, as well as a concussion and double vision. 

Konfektova is seeking $16.75 million from Cirque du Soleil. She claims that she had to undergo multiple surgeries because of the accident and that she has been left with permanent injuries, according to the lawsuit, which was obtained by The Oregonian.

The civil complaint alleged that the circus failed to provide adequate safety equipment, including mats, nets or other equipment that could have mitigated harm from a fall.

It also alleged that Cirque du Soleil ignored concerns Konfektova raised about the rigging for the hoop she fell from, and that the circus fired her when she returned to work and continued raising safety concerns after the accident. 

Konfektova suffered 11 broken bones, fractures to her lower back, wrist, skull and at least seven bones in her face, and a concussion and double vision, according to a recent lawsuit

Konfektova’s lawsuit is seeking $16.75 million from Cirque du Soleil. She alleged that she had to undergo multiple surgeries and has been left with permanent injuries 

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The lawsuit also alleged that Cirque du Soleil ignored concerns that Konfektova raised about the hoop’s rigging, and that the circus later fired her after she raised more safety concerns 

Portland Tribune editor Dana Haynes, who met the performers for a profile days before the shows began, told KOIN in 2024 that Konfektova was not provided with a net because her performance ‘started on the ground, and rose and spiraled and came back down and landed on the ground, and danced and went back up again.’

Haynes also told the outlet that conditions in the various locations the traveling circus goes to can change the way the equipment is set up, and even small changes can have a major impact on performers’ vigorously rehearsed routines. 

‘The Australian head coach told me that the hoop mechanism is off by a centimeter. Because of that, they were adjusting. Maria’s twirling, because of that centimeter, while not visible to the coach, affected her spin,’ Haynes said. 

The civil complaint stated that Konfektova was transitioning between movements when her right foot slipped. 

Her hands were touching the hoop for stability, but the aerialist was not holding on, causing her to fall to the stage, the lawsuit said.

According to the lawsuit, Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHA) fined Cirque du Soleil $8,070 for failing to provide safety equipment after concluding an investigation a few months after the accident. 

The circus told OSHA during the investigation that it typically requires safety equipment for performances starting at around 20 feet, the lawsuit states. Konfektova’s performance was set at about five feet below that threshold.

The lawsuit named five defendants, including Cirque du Soleil, Cirque du Soleil Nevada Newco, Cirque du Soleil Canada, CDS Canadian Holdings and Spectacle BidCo Holdings, according to court records. 

The lawsuit alleges that Cirque du Soleil failed to provide adequate safety equipment during Konfektova’s performance. An X-ray of her fractured wrist is pictured 

Konfektova’s right foot slipped as she was transitioning between movements, which caused her to fall, according to the lawsuit. Her arm is pictured in a cast

Konfektova’s performance was set at about five feet below the 20-foot threshold Cirque du Soleil told OSHA it uses before providing safety equipment, according to the lawsuit

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The civil complaint highlighted a total of 16 performers who have suffered injuries from falls during the circus’ shows and practice sessions over the past 20 years, including three who died.

One fatality occurred in Montreal in 2009, one in Las Vegas in 2013 and one in Tampa in 2018. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Cirque du Soleil for comment. 

It’s been voted one of the most romantic ruins in the country

We’ve got a lot of castles in Wales, 427 of them to be exact. All have unique settings, histories and unique appearances, so it’s hard to have a one-off preference, an immovable favourite.

In city and town centres you have the Caerphilly, Caernarfon, or Cardiff, all with their own stories and places in the history of our nation. Conwy’s ancient castle is ancient fortress with the town within and part of one of Wales’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

But there’s one castle that really takes my breath away each time I see it. I’ve never been more awestruck by a castle vista from the car window as with Carmarthenshire’s Castell Carreg Cennen. Bumbling round the country lanes, usually en route to or from Wright’s for my twice (or thrice) yearly Cubano – read more on that here – the view of Carreg Cennen takes my breath away each time.

I’m not over-egging it I promise. Set up on the craggiest limestone Welsh hilltop this fortress from Middle Ages has been named the ‘most romantic’ ruin by Countryfile mag readers, and The Telegraph also listed it as one of the best 10 castles in Wales to take your children. The super rural ruin is great to look at from afar and this scene is only equalled by the 360degree views from the castle itself.

Set almost 300ft above the river form which is takes its name, Carreg Cennen is a 13th century castle where you can explore the gatehouse, big towers and ruined fortifications. One of the attractions of the castle is its natural cave at the end of an atmospheric tunnel. I say ‘attraction’, I’m a wimp so I’ve never dared venture down – but it’s definitely one for spooky explorers!

In a corner of the castle’s inner ward you’ll find a set of steps leading down into the bowels of the castle. Walk down the steps, descend through a cliff-edge tunnel and keep walking through a precarious and pitch black tunnel carved into the rock for as long as you dare. According to Coflein, the online catalogue of archaeology, buildings, industrial and maritime heritage in Wales, human bones were discovered here in the early 20th century, while teeth were found as recently as 1980.

Outside of the castle grounds there are two circular walks which will sate those hiking pangs – both are signposted and the short walk is 2.7k long (1.6m) end the long route is 6km long (3.7m). Both start at the castle’s cafe. Find the route map at Discover Carmarthshire.

En route around the walk you”ll find some interesting wildlife and and rich, diverse flowers and plants. The woodland you’ll pass through is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is a good place to look for woodland birds like Wood Pigeon, Nuthatch, Blue Tit and Wren.

The castle dates back to at least the 13th century, but Roman coins discovered at the site suggest that people occupied the land centuries earlier. Its previous owners include Sir Rhys ap Thomas and King Edward I, who captured the castle in 1277.

King Edward gave the castle to a soldier named John Giffard, who had supported the king in his conflict with Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Giffard then rebuilt Carreg Cennen into the impressive structure that it became in subsequent centuries.

Under English control, the castle was attacked by Owain Glyndwr in 1403 and was damaged further during the War of the Roses later in the 15th century. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here

By the 19th century it was owned by the Cawdor family, until they sold it to the Morris family in 1963 ‘by accident’ – you can read more about that here. Today it is owned by Margaret Morris and her husband Bernard Llewellyn alongside their daughters.

The tea room is run by the family and here you’ll get a really lovely bowl of homemade cawl – round these parts it’s a thick veggie soup, other areas of Wales put lamb or beef in, depends where you’re from! Anyway, this cawl comes with bread and a chunk of cheese – it’s exactly what’s needed after a good walk. You can also get dishes with Carreg Cennen’s Longhorn beef reared nearby and there’s a good selection of cakes and hot and cold drinks.

It’s a cosy way to end your visit which, for me, starts when you see the castle emerge over the fields and trees. I’m enamoured with it from that moment and have tried to capture the view many, many times – but it just doesn’t translate – you’ll just have to visit there yourself!

How to get there

Carreg Cennen Castle is situated around five miles from the town of Llandeilo, and around 19 miles east of Carmarthen. From the village of Ffairfach on the outskirts of Llandeilo, take a right on the A476 heading east and travel down an unmarked road until you reach the village of Trap, where you will find signs directing you to the castle.

From the M4, leave the motorway at Pont Abraham roundabout and take the A483 towards Ammanford. Travel through Tycroes and Ammanford and take a left onto Wern Ddu Road. Continue north until you get to Blaengweche, where you’ll see a signpost for the castle directing you east towards Trap.

A pilot is fighting for his life in hospital after his light aircraft crashed and flipped over at an airfield.

The pilot had to be ripped out of the wreckage after the plane came down in Popham Airfield in Hampshire at 5.45pm on Sunday.

He was taken to Southampton Hospital where he is receiving treatment for his injuries.

Hampshire Police said officers had attended the scene and liaised with the Air Accident Investigation Branch.

A notice on Popham Airfield’s website states that both runways are closed ‘until further notice’.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: ‘We were called to reports of a collision at Popham Airfield involving a single light aircraft which had overturned.

‘The pilot, a man aged in his 60s, has sustained serious and potentially life-threatening and life-changing injuries.

‘He has been taken to hospital for treatment.

‘Officers have attended the scene and have liaised with the Air Accident Investigation Branch.’

Hampshire fire service added: ‘Firefighters were called to a light aircraft crash at Popham Airfield at around six o’clock this evening. 

‘Crews from Rushmoor, Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester were alerted to the scene alongside police and ambulance teams. 

‘One casualty was released from the aircraft and passed into the care of paramedics. 

‘Firefighters made the aircraft safe, before the incident was handed over to police to manage the scene. 

‘Fire engines have begun to depart and return to station.’

South Central Ambulance said: ‘We received the 999 call at 5.43 for a microlite crash at Popham Airfield with reports of the pilot trapped.

‘Our first crew on scene arrived at 5.59.

‘Air ambulance and critical care doctors also attended. Police and Fire also attended.

‘The patient, a 62-year-old male, was freed and taken to Southampton Hospital by road ambulance.’

The BBC’s Cambridge-set comedy drama Ludwig has returned for a second series and now ratings prove it’s a hit

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The Cambridge-set BBC comedy drama Ludwig starring David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin has made a triumphant return, as viewing figures have now proved.

The show, which features Mitchell as an accidental detective, has returned for a second season, and millions of fans tuned in for the opening episode.

The drama made its comeback on Thursday, August 20, when fans were quick to rush to social media to share their delight within minutes of the opening credits.

One said on X – formerly Twitter – “Binge watched S1 of #Ludwig Absolutely loving it. S2 here we come. It’s real life Scooby Doo.”

Another added: “Delighted that #Ludwig is back. One of the best new shows in recent years.” While a third commented: “#Ludwig is back. I am so happy.”

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Now according to Broadcast, nearly 3 million viewers tuned in for the first episode. Created by Mark Brotherhood, the series stars Mitchell in the dual role of reclusive puzzle maker John Taylor aka Ludwig and his twin, DCI James Taylor, who disappears without a trace in the first episode.

Contacted by James’s wife Lucy Betts-Taylor, played by Anna Maxwell Martin, John agrees to pose as Jack, ending up solving murder cases thanks to his deductive skills, reports Digital Spy.

The new episode featured an unusual double confession at a theatre where John took centre stage as he set out to prove who didn’t commit the crime, reports the Mirror.

Viewing figures show it drew 2.8 million viewers, capturing 28.5% of the TV-watching audience at that time — an improvement on the first season’s debut, which attracted 2.7 million viewers in 2024.

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Season 1 went on to become the BBC’s biggest new scripted show since 2022, with 9.5 million viewers discovering it within 28 days. It also claimed the title of the BBC’s highest-rating scripted show of 2024 and the biggest comedy series launch since at least 2018.

As far as Cambridge as a location is concerned, when asked about the show’s setting during a Q&A for season 1, David said: “Yes, I was a student there, and I love Cambridge. I’m delighted that it was set in Cambridge, because I genuinely feel that having a picturesque context is such a key part of the genre.

“Obviously, Inspector Morse – set in Oxford. Miss Marple – set variously in different villages. Poirot and Sherlock Holmes – set in the past, which we all know is more aesthetically pleasing, despite the horrible time people had living through it.”

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More recently, ahead of season 2, he said of the city: “I went to university there, and I love it. You want people to enjoy slipping into this world like a pair of slippers, but with a dead body in them. Cambridge is obviously a great candidate for that. Inspector Morse is one of my favourite shows, but that was set in Oxford.

“That’s where people want to escape to in this kind of program. I think you’ve got to have a beautiful setting to juxtapose with the nature of the crimes.”

Ludwig is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer