The Education Authority has announced its sweeping cost saving measures for the year ahead due to a £300m shortfall in its budget. Among these cost saving measure will be a 50p increase in the price of a set school meal for paying pupils, ending some agency contracts and reducing overtime payments and implementing savings in […]
Council chiefs set off on trade trip to China
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By Thomas Maher FERMANAGH and Omagh’s top council officials have set off on a high-level visit to China this week – aiming to open new doors for tourism, education and business investment across the district. Council chair Cllr Barry McElduff, vice-chair Cllr Shirley Hawkes, and chief executive Alison McCullagh are spending four-and-a-half days in Huangshi, central China, […]
Back-to-school costs push Fermanagh families into debt
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FAMILIES across Fermanagh and the North are facing mounting financial pressures as back-to-school expenses continue to spiral, according to new research from the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU). The study, conducted by i-Reach in June 2025 with responses from 544 parents, found that nearly seven in ten (68 percent) view the cost of sending […]
New charges at Enniskillen car parks
NEW higher charges have come into force this week at two Enniskillen car parks. On March 4, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council agreed to increase the cost of parking at the Quay Lane South and Shore Road West car parks in Enniskillen and New Brighton Terrace car park in Omagh. Motorists were previously charged 40p for three […]
Enniskillen ready for ‘sustainability push’
ENNISKILLEN town centre is set to assess how it can become more sustainable and eco-friendly in a bid to make the area more attractive to tourists and encourage more footfall in the high street. Enniskillen Business Improvement District is set to unveil a range of unique measures, with the collective aim of supporting businesses, which […]
VAT difference threatens Fermanagh hospitality industry
LOCAL business owners are fearing that their livelihoods are under “a huge threat” after it was revealed that there will be a significant difference in hospitality VAT on both sides of the border. It was recently confirmed that Value Added Tax (VAT) in the Republic of Ireland will be at 13-per-cent for the coming year, […]
Fermanagh business owners to attend major conference
SMALL business owners in Fermanagh are encouraged to attend a major conference next month which will outline new innovative ways that the industry can reduce their energy costs. Many local businesses have been struggling to cope with the surging prices in the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, with some urging for support from the local […]
Fermanagh greengrocer fears for the future
A LOCAL greengrocer has said it’s “absolutely scandalous” that supermarkets are selling bags of fresh vegetables for around 10 and 20 pence as fears grow over the future of the high street. John Gallagher took over ‘Gillens’ Greengrocers’ in Church Street in Enniskillen in 2013 but like all greengrocers across the North, he’s concerned for their […]
Business owner battles to stay afloat after High Street move
THE owner of an award-winning bespoke business in Enniskillen is facing the possibility of closing her doors for good after suffering ‘significant financial losses’. Shauna Gallagher, who founded The Natural Beauty Pot in 2010, relocated the business to Townhall Street in 2023. However, due to soaring costs and a lack of footfall, she now faces […]
Dumping slammed after recycling centre closure
FOLLOWING the temporary closure of Lisbellaw Recycling Centre in November due to health and safety concerns, a significant increase in illegal dumping has been reported in the area. Local councillor Robert Irvine has strongly condemned the practice, stressing that illegal dumping is both illegal and unnecessary. He pointed out that the closure of the Lisbellaw […]