Consumer

Does your broadband contract come with a hidden catch?

Explainer Why broadband bills can rise even when you’re in contract

BT, EE, TalkTalk and Vodafone have been named Britain's most complained-about broadband providers in new Ofcom figures, as campaigners call for an end to mid-contract price rises that can add £48 a year to household bills.

Four broadband giants top Ofcom complaints list

The Government recommends households gradually build an emergency kit with practical essentials such as a torch, first aid kit, emergency radio and portable power bank.

Explainer What you need in a Government 3-day emergency kit

M&S Sparks customers can earn up to £15 in festive rewards this Christmas by shopping for eligible drinks, flowers and café treats. Photos by Marks and Spencer.

M&S Sparks shoppers can earn £15 in rewards when Christmas shopping

The compact SumUp card reader helps market traders, craft sellers and small businesses accept contactless and card payments without expensive equipment.

7 side hustles to make extra money before Christmas

M&S has introduced its 2026 Christmas sandwich range alongside seasonal snacks and sweet treats.

M&S Christmas sandwiches and there's plenty of festive favourites

The supermarket says it wants to help customers be well prepared for groceries as the festive season approaches

Asda Christmas delivery slots open today – how to book

We've listed the top 10 highest-rated items in the Sainsbury's Taste the Difference range - and there are definitely some surprises

These are the 10 items Sainsbury's poshest shoppers love the most

Households are being urged to check their broadband bills, as staying on the same deal too long could cost hundreds of pounds a year.

Broadband mistake could cost you £452 a year

Pictured (left to right) are Colin Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Galgorm Collection, and Laura McCorry, Chief Executive, Tourism NI, at Roe Valley Resort, as Galgorm Collection announces the latest phase of its £20 million transformation programme for the North West destination.

Latest phase in £20m Roe Valley Resort transformation plan unveiled

The Derry-Donegal border.

Irish authorities say they can seize non-EU goods sent via NI to avoid charges

The old First Trust Bank at Crescent Link Retail Park

Proposal for new café at old First Trust Bank in Crescent Link Retail Park

Matalan has reopened its newly refurbished Derry store, following a significant investment aimed at enhancing the shopping experience.

Matalan unveils refreshed Derry store following major transformation

Foyleside. Photo: Presseye

Kaia The Label 'pop-up experience' to open at Foyleside Shopping Centre

Inis Saimer, an island in Donegal with its own three bedroom house, is being offered up for sale for €330,000.

Donegal island with own three bedroom house up for sale for €299,000

BMW iX3

BMW shines at World Car awards – Derry motoring with Jim McCauley
The current New York International Auto Show has once again hosted the annual ‘World Car’ awards with BMW topping the results.
Jim McCauley

The Curry family have made a substantial investment into the new store which previously operated as a Nearby store for three years.

New Derry SPAR store welcomes community as doors officially open

Ebrington Hotel Manager Gary McDonald (centre) is pictured serving up a couple of cold refreshing pints of Heineken 0.0 to David Greenlees (left) and Andrew Hollywood of Craigavon-based drinks distributor United Wines. : Derry's Ebrington Hotel ‘taps’ into growing demand for alcohol-free pints.

Derry's Ebrington Hotel ‘taps’ into growing demand for alcohol-free pints

Produced by husband and wife couple Tommy and Ciara Carlin, the idea for the drink came after Tommy's Coeliac diagnosis in 2024.

Derry couple launch city's first gluten-free stout

A shopper carrying red sale bags marked with a bold percentage sign, symbolising seasonal discounts and bargain hunting

Free Top Buys email finds the best UK deals this February

One of three new postboxes of the future at The Rock Post Office (BT48 7PB) at the bottom of Meadowbank Avenue

Royal Mail rolls out first ‘postboxes of the future’ in Derry

Owner Terence with restaurant manager Ryan pictured at the opening of Mavericks Bar and Restaurant. Included is local councillor Julie Montgomery who helped open the restaurant in memory of a dear friend and patron of the pub Julie Dunn

Pub marks flood recovery with restaurant opening in memory of ‘familiar face’

Odhran Dunne, Visit Derry; Laura McCorry, Tourism NI; John Kelpie, Derry City and Strabane District Council; Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald; Alice Mansergh, Tourism Ireland; and Councillor Ruairi McHugh, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, last October as Tourism Ireland promoted Derry Hallowe'en as a flagship event to overseas visitors.

2026 may be boon year for tourism with major jazz and Hallowe’en anniversaries

The Desmond Motors showroom in Derry.

Desmond Motors bid to provide accommodation for 897 students

Daniel Doherty's Bakery has been one of the longest running businesses in Inishowen history, having first been established in 1880.

Daniel Doherty’s Bakery to shut after almost 150 years in Moville

The Space Ebrington.

New beauty and wellness Hub ‘The Space’ opens in Ebrington Square

Lynch’s Directors Conor Lynch and Gary Lynch (centre) are pictured with Paul Deans and Ciarán Quinn from Henderson Group at the opening of the new EUROSPAR Caw store, which has created 50 local jobs.

50 new jobs created in Derry with £3m opening of Lynch’s EUROSPAR Caw
Lynch’s EUROSPAR Caw has officially opened its doors, bringing 50 new jobs to Derry.
Jack Tibbetts

Australian visitors Ava Maguire, Shane Maguire, Evie Maguire and Mercedes Maguire at the Tower Museum in 2023.

£250,000 for ‘enhanced’ Derry Girls experience to open next October

City of Derry Airport (Lorcan Doherty Photography)

Market sounding exercise for Dublin airlink with tender expected in early 2026

Eglinton Estate in Donnybrewer was on the market with a guide price of £9 million.

Huge Derry estate once owned by Guggenheim’s grandson sold for undisclosed sum

Santa and one of his elves helping launch the Twelve Windows of Christmas Competition, with sponsors from the Maldron, Foyleside, Bauer Media Group, and DCSDC

City Centre Initiative launches ‘Twelve Windows of Christmas Competition’

A remarkable Donegal period house constructed for the famed Derry whiskey magnate Andrew Watt around 1890 is on the market for a cool €1,900,000.

‘Tyrconnell’ house built for Derry whiskey magnate Watt on market for €1.9k.

An image of the Claudy Cycles bike store shared by proprietor Brian Cassidy in April.

Claudy Cycles rises like phoenix from the flames seven months after fire

The West Elevation of the proposed new Sainsbury's store at Crescent Link.

£21m Sainsbury’s store will create 200 jobs and boost economy by £4.6m

Philip O'Doherty and Chief Executive Officer for Vertiv, Giordano Albertazzi.

Philip O’Doherty described as ‘visionary leader’ as Vertiv confirm retirement

House prices declined by £3,959 (2 per cent) from £198,203 to £194,244 in Derry and Strabane between July and September.

Derry/Strabane bucks trend with house prices down £3,959 (2%) to £194,244

Michael Surginor from Henderson Retail picks up the award for Forecourt Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards 2025 in London

NI community stores SPAR and EUROSPAR crowned champions of UK and local retail

Pictured (L-R) are Ian Fulton, Client Executive, Invest NI; George McKinney, Interim Chief Development Officer, Invest NI; Conor McCrossan, Managing Director, KES Group

KES Group celebrates expansion with 40 new jobs at Strabane Business Park

Jobby Crossan’s former sports shop is to be converted into an expanded Chinese restaurant in Pennyburn, under new planning proposals.

Famous Jobby Crossan sports shop to become part of expanded Chinese restaurant

Work is to get underway on a £2.7m regeneration project at the bottom of Waterloo Street in Derry city centre.

Work on £2.7m Waterloo Street project in city centre to commence early 2026

The Buncrana Christmas Market pictured last year. Photo: George Sweeney

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Express train announced for Swan Park Christmas Market

The location of the proposed developments in Ballymagroarty.

Ballymagroarty to expand with the proposed development of 162 new social homes

BURN on the River is set to reopen on Derry’s quayside under new ownership after undergoing a major revamp.

Derry’s popular BURN on the River is back with new owner, new brand, new menus

A planning application has been submitted for a major revamp of the Drumahoe EUROSPAR retail complex and filling station.

£5.8m jobs-boosting EUROSPAR revamp in Drumahoe takes another step forward

Located in The Keep (Building 30) – part of the Star Fort structure and one of the most prominent buildings at the former Ebrington Barracks site - The Fold, is joining a growing cluster of food businesses in the former barracks site.

Bakehouse, food yard and supper club to feature at The Fold

Da Vinci’s is forging ahead with plans for a new orangery at its hotel and bar complex in Derry.

Da Vinci’s owner lodges application for new orangery at bar and hotel complex

From L-R: Bruno Abril, Chairman at Alchemy and Global Lead, Insurance Industry at NTT DATA Inc and John Harkin, Founder and CEO Alchemy Technology Services.

John Harkin says Alchemy-NTT DATA deal is ‘beyond my wildest dreams’

Minister for the Economy, Dr. Caoimhe Archibald, with the Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons.

Archibald defends department performance on energy targets during Derry visit

From L-R: Bruno Abril, Chairman at Alchemy and Global Lead, Insurance Industry at NTT DATA Inc and John Harkin, Founder and CEO Alchemy Technology Services.

NTT DATA-Alchemy deal ‘really strong endorsement’ of Derry: Caoimhe Archibald

Richmond Centre.

Toytown prepares for relocation from Lisnagelvin to Derry's Richmond Centre

Sostrene Grene is officially opened in Richmond Centre.

WATCH: See inside Derry's new Søstrene Grene store

IN PICTURES: Derry Chamber of Commerce 2025 President’s Annual Dinner

Ian Luney, Chief Development Officer, Foyle Port; Andrew Fleming, President, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce; Anna Doherty, Chief Executive, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce; Ryan McCready, Chair, Foyle Port

Derry Chamber President calls for confidence and collaboration at annual dinner

Søstrene Grene will open in Derry's Richmond Centre on October 10.

Søstrene Grene announces October opening date for new Derry store

A beachside property a stone's throw from Lough Swilly has come on the market for just over half-a-million euros.

IN PICTURES: Stunning Donegal property a stone’s throw from Lough Swilly

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