Blog : Castlereagh

GRAND SLAM TENNIS EVENTS PROGRAMME SCHEDULED FOR LISBURN CITY CENTRE
Ciaran Mullan

GRAND SLAM TENNIS EVENTS PROGRAMME SCHEDULED FOR LISBURN CITY CENTRE

As anticipation escalates ahead of the 2016 Wimbledon championships, running 27th June – 10th July, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council prepares for a grand slam of its own.

With the development of a tennis themed events programme, intended to encourage locals in the surrounding areas to get active amid family-friendly activities, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council will transform Market Square into a hub for Wimbledon and tennis enthusiasts alike.

Following the official draw taking place on 24th June, the first contest of the 2016 Wimbledon championships will get under way on 27th June with local sports group Tennis Fundamentals showcasing the rip-roaring ins-and-outs of the sport which impassions so many with public demonstrations in Market Square.

Artificial grass and inflatable nets will convert the space into Lisburn’s own Tennis Club but without the strict dress codes of the official Wimbledon championships! However, one tradition Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council will stay true to is the indulgence of strawberries and cream – available on select days during the tournament.

Market Square will welcome Downshire Tennis on 1st July, then Lisburn Racquets on 8th July, who will be on hand to demonstrate the fundamentals of the sport with ample opportunities to get involved and learn the basics.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council will also be introducing a big screen to the Market Square area of the City Centre. Aimed at allowing locals to sit back, relax and watch Wimbledon live so they don’t miss any of the nail-biting moments as the tournament unfolds.

Cllr. Uel Mackin, Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Development Committee says: “Event programmes like our upcoming Wimbledon festivities are a real focus for showcasing the best of what Lisburn has to offer for all residents. Lisburn City Centre, in particular Market Square, has experienced significant revitalisation recently and established itself as the place to be for locals in the Lisburn and Castlereagh areas. We hope to engage as many people as possible and who knows, we might even discover our own local tennis sensation!”

For more information, call Sophie McAuley on 028 9244 7543 or email sophie.mcauley@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

LISBURN BUSINESSES STIR UP NEW PARTNERSHIP
Ciaran Mullan

LISBURN BUSINESSES STIR UP NEW PARTNERSHIP

Italian eatery Alfredo’s on the Square and Hughes Craft Distillery, two thriving Lisburn businesses, have come together to further boost the fine dining experience for locals in Lisburn City Centre with the introduction of a fabulous new RubyBlue cocktail menu for diners to enjoy.

Under development since April, when Northern Ireland celebrated the best in home-grown brewing and distilling, the teams behind Hughes Craft Distillery and Alfredo’s on the Square had been hard at work concocting their unique drinks menu specifically with Alfredo’s diners in mind.

Using Hughes Craft Distillery’s award-winning RubyBlue Premium Vodka the new cocktail menu will complement the restaurant’s delicious mix of dishes and add another reason to dine out in Lisburn with friends and family for all occasions.

Owned by local restauranteur Richard Graham, Alfredo’s has invested heavily in refitting its premises to revitalise Lisburn’s growing reputation on the culinary map. With the summer season afoot, and locals yearning for a first-rate alfresco dining experience, the signature RubyBlue cocktail menu is set to attract food and drinks aficionados far and wide.

Richard Graham, owner of Alfredo’s on the Square, says:

“It was always our intention to introduce a quality range of beverages into Alfredo’s by way of an exciting cocktail menu. But we wanted to make sure that we were bringing something unique for customers to experience and we are delighted to be the first to bring them RubyBlue Vodka as part of our new offering. It was also important for us to invest in local producers and through its fast-growing reputation and demand, we knew it had to be RubyBlue.”

“We began working with Stuart and Barbara Hughes from Hughes Craft Distillery in early April on a cocktail menu specific to Alfredo’s and our customers. We’re delighted to finally announce that Alfredo’s is the first business in Lisburn serving up this exciting cocktail menu using the locally produced and award-winning RubyBlue range.”

The RubyBlue cocktail menu available in Alfredo’s serves original cocktails such as the Ruby Royale, a blackcurrant liqueur with chilled prosecco, and the RubyBlue Thyme, premium white lemonade infused with green apple, fresh thyme and RubyBlue Potato Vodka. But, for those less adventurous, the menu also serves cocktail favourites including, Bloody Mary and French Martini stirred with RubyBlue Premium Vodka.

Barbara Hughes, Commercial Director for Hughes Craft Distillery, which premiered RubyBlue Premium Vodka in 2015, adds:

“When Richard approached us we were extremely excited by the proposition of creating a cocktail menu using our own range of spirits. It is the first time we have had the opportunity to create a customer-specific cocktail menu for a venue. It’s a great opportunity to give the RubyBlue brand exposure in our home city alongside the exquisite dishes served in Alfredo’s by head chef Will Crawford.”

Alfredo’s on the Square is open Tuesday to Saturday 9:00am until late and Monday 9:00am until 3:00pm.

For more information on the RubyBlue cocktail menu or to enquire about bookings, visit www.alfredoslisburn.com or call (028) 9267 2554.

CALLING ALL BUDDING YOUNG ARTISTS IN LISBURN TO HELP REINVENT THE COW AND CHICKEN
Samantha

CALLING ALL BUDDING YOUNG ARTISTS IN LISBURN TO HELP REINVENT THE COW AND CHICKEN

The newly opened Beef and Bird, located at the Lisburn Leisure Park, is looking to enlist the help of Lisburn’s budding young artists, to help design novel artwork for its new signature cow and chicken life-size sculptures. The sculptures, which are currently blank canvases, will take up pride of place outside the restaurant’s front window where they will remain on display for all to marvel at.

Open to all children under the age of 11, the two winning designs will not only have their submitted drawings professionally transferred on to the Beef and Bird sculptures but will also have a celebratory plaque bearing their name installed, plus win a Beef and Bird party for themselves and up to nine friends. The second place runners-up will receive a jam-packed Beef and Bird goody bag and third place runners-up will walk away with a Beef and Bird T-shirt and baseball cap.

Appealing to young artists in the making from the local area, Bronagh Campbell, owner of Beef and Bird, said:

“If you look at the interior of Beef and Bird you’ll quickly see that we created a space that allowed us to express ourselves in creative ways; from our scrabble boards and play areas to quirky fixtures. There was no set formula; we want to work and eat in a space that inspires.”

“Our sculptures will eventually become integral pieces to the entire feel of the restaurant. We hope to receive wacky, vibrant and downright fun submissions to be professionally transferred onto the sculptures.

“We can’t wait to see who the winners are and what new funky designs our cow and chicken will be rocking.”

To enter simply collect an entry form and colouring-in stencil from the Beef and Bird restaurant, Lisburn Leisure Park, or download a copy from the restaurant’s website and submit by post or in-store before Wednesday 15th June.

For more information on the Beef and Bird Children’s Colouring Competition or to make a reservation, visit www.beefandbird.co.uk or call 028 9260 7306.