BELFAST INSIDER
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Hello Insider,
Hope you're having a great week.
Belfast is a unique place. In the past week alone, we’ve had a one-second marathon finish, a £129m investment deal, and the next generation of chefs stepping up.
Just beneath that, local brands are expanding, funding is opening up, and the city continues to evolve.
Here’s everything worth knowing this week →
THE DIGEST: Belfast in Brief
🏃♂️A one-second finish and a hero's return at the Belfast City Marathon 2026
The 44th Belfast City Marathon 2026 delivered one of its most dramatic finishes ever. Ethiopian runner Abay Alemu crossed the line in 2:16:23, edging Teadese Mamo by just one second in a sprint that turned Ormeau Park into a pressure cooker.
Nearly 24,000 runners took over the city, starting at Stormont Estate, with up to 100,000 spectators lining the streets.
In the women’s race, Aziza Alaoui Selsouli of Morocco won in 2:38:00, while Jayne Bleakley won the wheelchair category.
But the biggest reaction was reserved for Belfast’s own Aaron Beggs.
Fresh from his viral moment at the Boston Marathon, where he carried a struggling runner to the finish, Beggs was recognised throughout the course. Crowds roared as supporters cheered and called out “Boston hero.” He still delivered a personal best for Belfast at 2:48.
That was more than a race. It reflects the city’s energy, community and global visibility.
A great reminder of what’s possible here.
Whether you ran or watched, you were a part of it.
What’s harder. Finishing a marathon and starting the training.
Will you run it next year?
📖 Read the full story: Belfast Live | Newsletter.co.uk
💷Causeway Coast and Glens gets £129m Growth Deal
From potential to delivery
For years, the Causeway Coast and Glens had everything on paper. Tourism, scenery, and community. But also seasonal work and lower wages.
That tension now has a response.
A £129 million Growth Deal has been signed, and funding is now pouring in.
At the centre is Ulster University’s Centre for Food and Drug Discovery in Coleraine. Built to turn research into real businesses and jobs.
This marks a shift from short-term tourism reliance to long-term economic growth.
More jobs. Better career paths. Stronger local economies.
What kind of jobs do you want to see created in Northern Ireland?
📖 Full details: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
👨🍳 Search Begins for Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026
Shaping Northern Ireland’s food scene
If you have ever thought “that chef deserves a bigger stage,” this is it.
Ireland's Next Top Chef 2026 is back for its fourth year. Free to enter. Built to test real ability. Skill, creativity, and performance under pressure.
The journey runs from online entry to live heats in Belfast, ending in a final on July 29.
The prize is elite. A stage at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, one of the world’s most respected kitchens.
Food and drink drive tourism spend. This builds the next generation of talent.
Better restaurants. More variety. A stronger dining culture across the city.
Would you apply?
What’s one food experience Belfast is still missing?
🌍 Apply: irelandsnexttopchef.com
🏪 LOCAL BUSINESS SCOOP
Openings, Closures & Buzz Around Town
🍕Orto is heading East
Orto Pizza has teased a fifth location. A simple post. “Orto East Belfast.”
No confirmed address yet, though Ballyhackamore is widely rumoured.
Since launching in 2022, Orto has expanded quickly. Backed by a £1.2m investment and its in-house bakery FERA, this is a brand scaling with intent.
A clear example of a local brand growing the right way. More quality food options and easier access if you’re in the area.
Where should they open next?
📖 Read more: Belfast Live
🤝 Community Opportunity: Up to £5,000 for Local Projects
The Elevate programme is now open.
Funding plus mentoring for community groups tackling health inequalities. Successful groups receive up to £5,000 alongside training and ongoing support.
Projects run from June 2026 to March 2027.
If you're working on something that tackles the root causes of health inequalities, this is for you.
If you had £5,000, what would you build or fix in your area?
🌍 Apply — elevateni.org
🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING:
⚽ Featured Event: UEFA Women’s Under-17 EURO Finals
Northern Ireland hosts the tournament for the first time.
Future stars. International teams. Local venues.
Part of Belfast’s momentum as a European City of Sport in 2026.
If you need a reason to step out this week, this is it.
Thursday, May 7
⚽WU17 EURO Group A: Northern Ireland vs Norway | The Showgrounds, Coleraine | 6:00 PM
🎨 Late Night Art: Bealtaine | Oh Yeah Music Centre | 6:00 PM
Friday, May 8
😂A Work in Progress: Stand-up Comedy | Sunflower Public House | 5:00 PM
Saturday, May 9
🎺 Ska Day Party | The Botanic Inn | 3:00 PM
🧸Collectors Vault Pop-up Toy Fair | Caffè Nero, Fountain St | 10:00 AM
☘️The California Irish Band | The Duncairn | 7:00 PM
🎧Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club | Mandela Hall | 8:00 PM
🧘Dance of Soma & Psyche: Foundations | Holywood Steiner School | 10:00 AM
Sunday, May 10
⚽WU17 EURO Group A: Germany vs Northern Ireland | Inver Park, Larne | 3:00 PM
🚗One Road: Cars & Coffee | Bolt Deli, Boucher Road | 11:00 AM
🎵Martin Simpson: A Celebration of Dick Gaughan | The Black Box | 8:00 PM
🐐Dead Goat Album Launch | The Black Box | 2:00 PM
Monday, May 11
⚽WU17 EURO Group B: Poland vs Spain | Inver Park, Larne | 3:00 PM
♣ Playroom Mondays | Kremlin | 10:00 PM
Tuesday, May 12
📖The Dark World of Wuthering Heights | The MAC | 8:30 PM
Wednesday, May 13
💛 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🌸Belfast in Bloom 2026
Your street. Your alley. Your city.
Belfast City Council has opened entries, introducing a new category: Best Alleyway.
This builds on Belfast’s $1M Bloomberg win, focusing on transforming overlooked spaces.
From gardens to commercial streets, it’s open to everyone. Free to enter.
School entries close 19 June. Others close 31 July. Judging in August.
What's the nicest street or hidden spot in your area?
🌍Enter at belfastcity.gov.uk/belfastinbloom
🍽️ Foodie Finds
Pepito Belfast
We almost walked past it.
From the outside, Pepito looks like a quick grab-and-go. Nothing that screams “book a table.” But we stepped in anyway and immediately realised we’d misread it.
Full house. Proper sit-down service. A warm, low-lit room that felt more like a tucked-away date spot than a casual stop.
We got a table and started ordering.
First up, pork belly bites with green sauce. We’re not exaggerating. That sauce alone could carry a dish. Rich, sharp, and addictive.
Then the spicy fried squid. Crisp, light, and actually spicy. Not the usual safe version. It delivered.
The grilled tenderstem broccoli surprised us the most. Smoky, garlicky, with just enough heat. One of those dishes you order out of obligation and end up finishing first.
And then the standout. Breast of pigeon with apple and black pudding purée. That purée? Deep, savoury, and properly balanced. The kind of dish that makes you pause mid-conversation.
Portions are small. No way around it. But the pricing is fair, and the experience makes up for it.
Service was sharp without being stiff. Friendly, switched on, and present. The room had a buzz. You could feel people enjoying themselves.
We left already planning the next visit.
Verdict: This is a date-night spot. Or somewhere you go when you want to feel like you’ve found a place others haven’t caught onto yet.
Details
📍 279–281 Upper Newtownards Road, Ballyhackamore, Belfast
🕐 Mon & Wed: evenings from 5pm | Thu–Fri: lunch 12–2.30pm, evenings from 5pm | Sat: 12pm–late | Sun: 1pm–late (last bookings 7.30pm) | Tue: closed
📅 Booking recommended
🌐 https://pepitobelfast.com/ | 📸 @PepitoBelfast
📸 Your Belfast
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That’s your week in Belfast.
From global sporting moments to grassroots opportunities, the pattern is clear. The city is moving. Fast.
If you want to stay ahead of what’s opening, growing, and changing, you’re already ahead of it.
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See you in the next one.
— The Belfast Insider Team