BELFAST INSIDER
Hello Belfast, 👋
St Patrick’s Day is over. The city packed out, and now the crowds are gone.
But Belfast doesn’t slow down.
Here’s what actually mattered this week and what’s worth your time next.
LET’S STEP INSIDE →
THE DIGEST: Belfast in Brief
🍺 The Belfast Founder Helping You Track Pint Prices
Everyone in Belfast complains about pint prices.
One founder decided to track them.
Meet Jonny Campbell, the Belfast founder who spent a weekend building one of the city's most useful pub tools.
Jonny Campbell, founder Pint Tracker
A former lecturer at Ulster University, Jonny noticed everyone talking about pint prices. On Reddit. In group chats. At the bar.
So, he built Pint Tracker to measure it.
The data tells an interesting story. The average pint in Belfast now sits at £5.87. The cheapest recorded is £4.10. The most expensive reaches £7.50 at Malmaison Belfast.
But Jonny's long-term goal isn't just tracking the cheapest pint.
It's answering the question Belfast asks every Thursday night.
Where should we actually go?
We sat down with him to hear how Pint Tracker went from a weekend project to one of the city's most talked-about tools.
Curious where your locals rank?
🚶♂️City Centre Could Go Car-Free for Fleadh Cheoil
Belfast City Council is proposing to pedestrianise large parts of the city centre during this summer’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
From 2–9 August, the festival is expected to bring around 800,000 visitors to the city for a week of traditional Irish music, street performances, pub sessions and competitions.
Plans include road closures around City Hall and other parts of the city centre, alongside temporary campsites at Ormeau Park, Titanic Quarter and Falls Park. The council has already confirmed the festival will return in 2027.
The upside is obvious.
A more walkable, vibrant city at peak summer.
The challenge is transport.
Belfast's late-night bus pilot recorded around 7,000 journeys over Christmas alone. Making it permanent may now be the decision that defines how well the city handles what’s coming.
🌃Belfast’s Nightlife Wins Purple Flag Award for Sixth Year Running
Belfast has retained its Purple Flag status for the sixth year running.
The award, from the Association of Town and City Management, recognises cities with safe, vibrant nightlife. Belfast was rated “outstanding” across safety, variety, and sense of place.
With the city heading into its biggest summer yet, the timing couldn’t be better.
Source: Belfast Newsletter
🏪 LOCAL BUSINESS SCOOP
Openings, Closures & Buzz Around Town
Northern Ireland Businesses Hit £109bn Sales Record
Quietly, Northern Ireland just hit a major milestone.
New figures from the Department for the Economy show total business sales reached £109.3 billion in 2024, up 7.5% year-on-year.
Exports are driving it. Sales outside Northern Ireland rose 14.5% to £19.6 billion, with the region now running a trade surplus across Britain, Ireland, Europe, and beyond.
Last week, we flagged plans to reduce trade paperwork. These numbers show why it matters.
The Windsor Framework remains a huge advantage for NI businesses. If further simplifications go through, the upside could be even bigger.
Belfast One Secures Third Term with £5.5m Investment Plan
Belfast One has won a third five-year term, with 94% of its 700+ member businesses voting in favour.
The new mandate includes a £5.5 million investment plan running through 2031, targeting city cleanliness, safety, anti-social behaviour, and long-overdue infrastructure projects, including the North South Glider and Royal Avenue regeneration.
Most people don’t realise just how much Belfast One shapes the city centre.
For over a decade, it has quietly kept the city moving, funding initiatives from the Night Czar to late-night transport.
Source: Irish News
Belfast Business Moves This Week
Platito by Mangan opens a second location in West Belfast, expanding from its Castlereagh Road base
Tweedy Acheson Menswear in Coleraine closes after more than 100 years
Your Weekend Lineup
🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING:
Your guide to what’s on across Belfast & Northern Ireland
Looking for events in Belfast this weekend? Here's what's happening across the city from Thursday to Sunday, plus a few early-week picks worth planning ahead for.
Thursday, March 19
Friday, March 20
Saturday, March 21
Sunday, March 22
Monday, March 23
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25
💛 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Simon Community Northern ireland
Simon Community Northern Ireland has been supporting people facing homelessness for over 50 years. Every night they provide 464 bed spaces across 21 services, while their 24/7 helpline handled nearly 18,000 calls last year alone. They work without judgment - for anyone, in any situation, at any hour.
The numbers tell you how serious this is. Nearly 60,000 people in Northern Ireland are currently classified as homeless, roughly 1 in every 32 people you pass on the street. Last year, they supported 99 families through their accommodation service, including 58 children who needed a safe place to sleep. These aren't just statistics. They're people.
In a city where the housing crisis keeps getting worse, Simon Community NI are the ones actually showing up every night, every call, without without fanfare.
The Europa Abseil fundraiser is on 7 June, the Belfast City Marathon is on the horizon, and a donation of £30 covers a night's shelter for someone with nowhere to go.
Want to help? 📞 0800 171 2222 (24/7) | [simoncommunity.org] | Donate → | Volunteer →
🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK
Shed Grill & Seafood
This week's pick comes from food creator Keeva Eats, who called Shed Grill & Seafood a must-visit for bold flavours and standout dishes.
The beef Wellington is the main event. The brown butter bread is a strong start. The crème brûlée tart finishes it properly.
Keeva's verdict: three dishes in, and it's already a firm recommendation.
The vibe: Elegant city centre dining that works for date nights, midweek meals, or a proper Sunday dinner.
Price range: ££££ — Starters £10–14.50 | Mains £23–38 | Sides £5.50
Find it: 17 Brunswick Street, Belfast BT2 7GE
Hours: Mon 5–9pm | Tue–Thu 12–4pm & 5–9pm | Fri 12–4pm & 5–9:30pm | Sat 11am–4pm & 5–9:30pm | Sun 2–9pm
"Great food with big flavours." — Keeva Eats
📞 028 9013 6051
@keevaeats Beef Wellington of DREAMS 😍 Shed Grill & Seafood, Belfast CC #belfast #belfastfood #belfastcity #belfastfyp #belfastrestaurants
💬 YOUR VOICE
This week we featured a founder tracking Belfast's pint price, a record-breaking trade milestone, and a restaurant making beef Wellington the talk of Brunswick Street.
What do you want more of in Belfast Insider?
Hit reply and let us know. Your answers shape next week's edition.
👍 More food spots
🏙️ More local business news
💎 More hidden gems
📅 More events
Best responses feature next week.
That’s it for this week 👋.
If you enjoyed this edition, forward and share it with a friend who loves Belfast.
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Until next time,
Keep getting the craic on!
The Belfast Insider Team.