BELFAST INSIDER
Week of February 19-25, 2026
Hello there 👋
This week feels very Belfast.
Your rates are ticking up.
One of the city’s most loved patisseries is bowing out.
And BT9 is still flexing as Northern Ireland’s most expensive postcode.
Money is moving.
Jobs are shifting.
Volunteers are stepping up.
And there are a few very good nights out if you need a distraction.
Here is what matters →
THE DIGEST: Belfast in Brief
🏠BT9 Is Still the Money Postcode
No surprises here.
South Belfast’s BT9 is officially the most expensive postcode in Northern Ireland, according to the News letter. Malone. Lisburn Road. Stranmillis. Performing exactly as expected.
In parts of Malone, homes are priced at £4,149 per square metre above the Northern Ireland average.
Also in the top tier:
• BT17 Dunmurry
• BT18 Holywood
• BT4 Stormont
• Bangor and Portstewart on the coast
Translation. You are paying for the postcode as much as the property.
Prime Belfast is not cooling off anytime soon.
If money was no issue, where are you buying?
Reply and tell us.
💼Pay Is Up. But So Are Redundancies.
On paper, things look solid.
According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, median monthly pay has climbed to £2,443. That is up 6 percent year on year.
Unemployment is sitting at 2.2 percent.
Sounds healthy.
But here is the watchpoint. Confirmed redundancies have jumped nearly 25 percent compared to last year, reaching around 2,300.
So yes, the labour market is strong.
But parts of it are tightening.
Does that reflect what you are seeing in your sector?
If you are hiring or job hunting, this is one to monitor.
Source: DFE
🗑️Your Rates Are Going Up. Here’s What You’re Getting.
Rates are rising 4.48 percent this year.
For the average semi, that works out at roughly 46p extra per week.
Before the collective sigh, here is where it is going:
• Three new bin collection crews
• A city wide graffiti removal team
• Purple recycling boxes for households still missing one
• £2.1 million for community groups
• Prep for Fleadh Cheoil, expected to bring 800,000 visitors and around £70 million into the city
The increase was set by Belfast City Council.
Not glamorous. But visible.
Bins lifted on time may quietly become the most popular policy of the year.
🏪 LOCAL BUSINESS SCOOP
Openings, Closures & Buzz Around Town
👨🏼🍳Lazy Claire Patisserie Is Closing After 8 Years
One of Belfast’s most beloved patisseries is saying goodbye.
Founder Daniel C. Duckett, who trained at Angelina Paris, announced via Instagram that he is stepping away for health and wellbeing reasons at the end of February.
Customers have flooded their social media with tributes, many saying Castlereagh road will not be the same again without the iconic bakery.
Eight years.
Countless macarons.
One of those spots you assumed would always be there.
If you want one last pain au chocolat, move quickly.
What was your go-to order?
Your Weekly Events Lineup
🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING:
Belfast does not do quiet weeks.
From arena gigs to pottery painting, fondue parties to pub crawls, there is plenty happening across the city.
Here is what is on from Thursday to Wednesday. Screenshot this and send to your group chat.
Thursday, February 19
Friday, February 20
Saturday, February 21
Sunday, February 22
Monday, February 23
Tuesday, February 24
Wednesday, February 25
💚 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
People’s Kitchen Belfast
When most of Belfast is settling in, their volunteers are heading out.
Their outreach team is on the streets every single night providing hot meals, warm clothing, sleeping bags and, just as importantly, conversation.
Founded in 2017 by Independent Oldpark Councillor Paul McCusker, what began as a tea trolley in a church doorway is now a seven day operation.
No paid staff. Entirely volunteer run.
Volunteers are trained to administer lifesaving Naloxone.
As homelessness pressures increase, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons recently visited to hear their concerns.
They refer to those they help as “Friends”, not clients.
You can donate essentials, volunteer for outreach, or contribute financially.
🌐 peopleskitchenbelfast.org
📸: @peopleskitchenbelfast
🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK
Firestone | Shaftesbury Square
Valentine’s dinner test. Passed.
This teppanyaki spot delivers theatre without sacrificing quality. Live cooking stations. Flame moments. Proper execution.
The Godzilla Roll stood out for us, however, the Tenderloin Beef Fillet stole the show.
Staff sharp.
Atmosphere lively but controlled.
Portions generous.
Insider tip: Book ahead for weekends.
📍16 - 19 Shaftesbury Square
📞028 9013 2835
🌐firestoneni.com
💬 YOUR VOICE
Be honest.
Is Belfast Insider becoming your Thursday habit?
Forward this to someone who likes knowing what is actually going on.
If this landed via a friend, we send one email every Thursday. No spam. No fluff. Just Belfast.
That is Belfast this week.
A 46p increase that will spark debate.
A housing market that still favours the few.
A labour market that looks strong but deserves scrutiny.
A small business signing off with grace.
And volunteers from People’s Kitchen Belfast out every night doing work most of us never see.
The city keeps shifting.
Some of it is about money.
Some of it is about people.
All of it is worth knowing.
See you next Thursday.
Belfast Insider
Published every Thursday, Curated for Belfast locals.