NI takes major step out of lockdown as hospitality and retail outlets reopen

Early vaccine bookings available for 30-34 year-olds

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Subscribe              Apr 30, 2021           Dear reader It was wonderful to see retail and hospitality in Northern Ireland reopening on Friday after four long months of lockdown.  Not surprisingly there were long queues outside certain stores across the Province, with Primark particularly popular amongst shoppers.  It was similar for hospitality, with businesses allowed to reopen outdoors. There were long lines of mostly young people queuing outside hospitality venues across Belfast on Friday afternoon.   Meanwhile, an emotional Arlene Foster was in front of the cameras and confirmed that she will be standing down as an MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone.  The outgoing first minister also confirmed that she had not spoken to those in her party who signed the letter calling for a leadership election in the DUP.  Of course we know now that Edwin Poots, agriculture minister, was the first person to declare for the leadership. I hope you enjoy the May Bank Holiday weekend, with doors of retail and hospitality open once again.   Alistair Bushe Editor Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier.     Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           Hospitality and retail outlets reopen as NI takes major step out of lockdown           Northern Ireland has taken a major stride out of lockdown as many hospitality and retail outlets reopened their doors after four months of closure.                 Long queues at Primark as shoppers flock to city centres   Long queues have formed across Northern Ireland's towns and cities as much of the high street reopened today.           Covid death toll passes new landmark in latest statistics   The toll of Covid-19 linked deaths recorded in Northern Ireland has passed 2,950.           NI vaccine roll-out: Early bookings available for 30-34 year-olds   Northern Ireland's vaccination programme is to be opened up to some 30 to 34-year-olds.           Influx of care home 'safeguarding' issues possible as family visits return, warns support group   There could be an influx of "safeguarding issues" from care homes in Northern Ireland once family visits get back to normal, the head of a support group has said.           Late summer date planned for £100 shopping vouchers scheme   Every adult in Northern Ireland will be able to apply for a £100 voucher to spend on the high street it has been announced as society takes its next steps out of lockdown.           Executive says no change in rules for reopening of outdoor hospitality   The Stormont Executive has insisted there has been "no change" around rules for outdoor hospitality venues on the eve of post-lockdown reopening.                 View more news

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Peter Robinson urges caution as Edwin Poots steps forward to contest DUP leadership

NI vaccine roll-out: Early bookings available for 30-34 year-olds

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Subscribe              Apr 30, 2021           Good morning Thank you for your continued support. If you haven't already you can take out a subscription to the News Letter. You can help us to continue to provide trusted fact checked journalism investigating the issues that matter to people in Northern Ireland.  A Digital+ package starts from only £1 month and gives you unlimited access to the website, you'll see 70% fewer ads, you'll get full access to our online puzzles section and access to the newspaper edition app on mobile, desktop and tablet.  A 40% reduction is available if you complete our heritage Where & When? quiz. You can test your knowledge here.            As Edwin Poots steps forward to contest DUP leadership, Peter Robinson urges caution           Despite facing efforts by some senior DUP figures to prevent him replacing Arlene Foster as leader, momentum last night was with Edwin Poots as he became the first candidate to step forward.                 In the news today: * Peter Robinson: Choose badly, imperil the Union, face no forgiveness.  * DUP MP Gavin Robinson's wife hits back at internal party critics of her anti-gay conversion therapy campaigning.  * Masked loyalists face off with PSNI while House of Lords hears warning of rising threat of violence over Irish Sea Border. * Sinn Fein has insisted it will not be playing games around the appointment of a new look Executive leadership team following Arlene Foster's departure. * The DUP's only openly gay elected representative has said that she is sorry to see the back of Arlene Foster. You can follow all the latest news on the DUP leadership challenge on our politics section and via our live blog.   Michael Cousins Deputy digital editor           NI vaccine roll-out: Early bookings available for 30-34 year-olds   Northern Ireland's vaccination programme is to be opened up to some 30 to 34-year-olds.           DUP MP Gavin Robinson's wife hits back at internal party critics of her anti-gay conversion therapy campaigning   The wife of a DUP MP has hit back at those within the party said to have questioned some of her recent comments urging a ban on gay conversion therapy.           DUP leadership: Four of leading contenders are contrasting characters   The top contenders to be the next leader of the DUP are a diverse group, with varied careers, personalities and outlooks.           DUP's only openly-gay politician: I'm sorry to lose Foster   The DUP's only openly gay elected representative has said that she is sorry to see the back of Arlene Foster.               THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Tenants hold protest meeting against increase rents in the Ulster Hall   From the News Letter, April 30, 1920       THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: From the News Letter of April 1825   Meeting held to discuss corn laws petition to Parliament                             Alastair Seeley in IFS Yamaha deal for Ulster short circuit season           Record North West 200 winner Alastair Seeley will concentrate on the domestic short circuit racing scene in Northern Ireland this year.                   Five seasons when Celtic failed to beat Rangers in an Old Firm derby   Rangers host Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday looking to end the season unbeaten against their Old Firm rivals.       Martin Barr fired up for start of new season   Ballyclare's Martin Barr is ready to race the all-new Delkevic racing by BRT kxf450 Kawasaki at this weekend's opening round of the MX1 Revo ACU British Motocross Championship at Culham Moto Park, Oxford.       Jordi Murphy says lack of fans has helped Ulster on road   Ulster flanker Jordi Murphy says the absence of crowds has negated any home advantage this season as Dan McFarland's side prepare to face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Friday night.                   View more news

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