Belfast Business Info

25/08/2026

Go Social. We can help you.

If you are thinking about setting up a Social Enterprise business, we can provide tailored support to help you on your way.

Next week, join an online workshop for more information including what a social enterprise is, legal structures and details on support available to you.

🔹Are you Social Enterprise Ready?
🔹Thursday 3 September 2026
🔹10am to 11am
🔹Online

For more information and to register for this event: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/Events/Are-you-Social-Enterprise-Ready

25/08/2026

Coming up tomorrow…

Go Succeed: Plan it. Grow it. Manage it. A Small Business Growth Webinar.

Wednesday 26 August 2026, 1pm- 2pm.

This online workshop includes practical insights, tools and exercises to equip you with actionable ideas and resources to use in your business to help you grow.

It is free to attend but you need to register.

To register, go to https://www.glistrr.com/events/e/go-succeed-grow-plan-it-grow-it-manage-it-a-small-business-growth-webinar-3669-247

29/07/2026

Belfast is buzzing with anticipation as we gear up to welcome Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann starting this Sunday, 2 August!

And our business community within the city centre are also getting excited - they are stocked up, open & ready to give visitors a warm Belfast welcome👏

🛍️Don't forget - some large retail shops will be opening at 11am on Sunday 2 & Sunday 9 August as part of a pilot scheme for Sunday trading.

🚌 A large part of the city centre will be pedestrianised during Fleadh (2-9 August) but Translink bus and train services will be operating throughout the event, including routes around the city centre.

📢Please remember: if your business is located inside this pedestrian zone, your delivery, servicing & waste arrangements will be impacted.

🔑All vehicle access for food, drink & waste collections inside the zone is restricted during the festival.

⏰ Approved delivery vehicles can only enter between 4am & 8am during the week of the event.

🎫You must apply for a delivery access pass in advance to enter the pedestrian zone for deliveries- apply at https://ow.ly/OvXg50ZqG2B

🏢 A special Accreditation & Logistics Hub will manage arrangements for these business deliveries & collections inside the pedestrian zone.

🚛 It will operate 24/7 from Sunday 2 - Monday 10 August to co-ordinate all entry routes, timeslots, and any emergency passes required.

❄️ Refrigeration & temporary storage facilities will be available.

📍21 Duncrue St, Belfast, BT3 9AQ

If you have not applied for a pass yet & would like more information, please call 07501 386203 or email [email protected]

🚛 Waste collections: Council commercial waste collections will be completed from 2am–6am the morning after your usual day (3–8 August).

For example, if your collection is normally on Monday, we’ll empty your bins on Tuesday between 2am and 6am.

If you have a query, email [email protected] or call our Commercial Waste service on 028 9027 0735.

🗑️Private commercial waste collections will also be impacted, and providers will need a pass too.

A huge thank you to all our local businesses, city stakeholders and council staff who are working to ensure this event is a success for the city of Belfast.👏

Fleadh Cheoil| Comhaltas | Visit Belfast | Discover Northern Ireland| Tourism Ireland

23/07/2026

With over 800,000 visitors heading to our city centre from 2–9 August, we have initaited a pedestrian zone to keep crowds safe and accommodate the performances.

If your business is located inside the pedestrian zone, your delivery, service, & waste arrangements will change.

🔑All vehicle access for food, drink & waste collections inside the zone is restricted.
⏰ Approved vehicles can only enter between 4am & 8am only.
🎫You must apply for a delivery access pass in advance to enter the pedestrian zone - apply via https://ow.ly/OvXg50ZqG2B

🏢Our Accreditation and Logistics Hub will manage these arrangements for business deliveries & collections inside the pedestrian zone.
🚛It will operate 24/7 to manage all entry routes, timeslots, and emergency passes.
❄️Refrigeration & temporary storage facilities will be available.
📍21 Duncrue St, Belfast, BT3 9AQ

🚛Waste collections: Council commercial waste collections will move to 2am–6am the morning after your usual day (3–8 August).

For any queries on vehicle access, email [email protected].

17/07/2026

Is your business ready?

We’re hosting 3 Fleadh Cheoil information sessions from next week for businesses in the city.

🎶Turn Belfast Fleadh visitors into customers:
🔹Monday 20 July in East Belfast Enterprise
🔹Thursday 23 July in Ormeau Business Park
🔹Wednesday 29 July in North City Business Centre
🔹Thursday 30 July in The Ortus Group, West Belfast
✨Discover practical ideas to encourage visitors to stay longer and turn first-time customers into returning customers.

🎶Make the most of the Belfast Fleadh with a winning social media campaign:
🔹Wednesday 22 July in East Belfast Enterprise Centre.
✨Register for a practical workshop on using social media to attract more visitors, increase footfall and keep customers returning.

🎶Window-dressing for the Belfast Fleadh
🔹 Monday 27 July in East Belfast Enterprise Centre
✨Learn how to transform your shopfront into a marketing tool!

All information sessions take place from 10am -12 noon and details of how to book in the comments below ⬇️

Belfast Chamber Belfast One Cathedral Quarter Belfast Linen Quarter

03/07/2026

If you're a business inside the pedestrian event zone during , this post is for you! 👀

Over the last few months, we've been chatting with bars, restaurants, shops, hairdressers, banks and other premises to help them get prepared - from deliveries to waste collections, staff travelling to work to car parking.

Access passes will be needed for entry into the event zone, and timings for this will be carefully managed to help things run smoothly for everyone.

If you haven't spoken with us yet, now's the time to get in touch:

➡️register for online info events on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 July, with different times for various sectors

➡️email [email protected] to arrange a direct chat with our team

➡️ apply for an access pass via our website

➡️ look out for info through your door next week as a final reminder

Our website also has lots of info to help businesses make the most of expected visitor numbers too:

➡️ 'Fleadh friendly' window stickers, posters and bunting to welcome customers and market special offers - like Martin from Daisies Belfast on Chichester Street

➡️ business toolkit with info from previous events and ideas for maximising opportunities

➡️ changes to our commercial waste collections for customers inside the event zone

All the links you need are below ⬇️

02/07/2026

Innovation Factory workshop - Making Tax Digital

From April 2026, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax will change the way many self-employed individuals and landlords manage and report their tax.

If you're unsure what the new rules mean for you, this Innovation Factory, Belfast workshop is a great way to start.

Join experts as they explain the upcoming changes, who will be affected, and the practical steps you can take now to prepare with confidence.

Whether you're a sole trader, landlord, or a limited company already registered for VAT, you'll gain clear, jargon-free guidance on what MTD means for your business and how to stay compliant.

Prepare for Tax becoming digital with expert advice, practical guidance, and answers to your key questions.

12/06/2026

During , arrangements will be in place to support Belfast city centre businesses with deliveries, waste collections and other essential services during road closures from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August.

If you're a business based within the pedestrianised event zone, you're welcome to come along to two online sessions organised for next Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 June, outlining our plans to help things run smoothly.

Specific timeslots are available, focusing on arrangements for city centre pharmacies, licensed premises, mail and parcel couriers and other businesses.

Check out all the info and sign up via our website - link in our comments below.

20/05/2026

We were delighted to host an empowering workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs in the Hair & Beauty industry on Monday in the city centre. From real-world insights to honest advice, the session was packed with top tips and practical steps for turning ideas into reality.

A huge thank you to Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Paul Doherty for opening the event, and our incredible guest speakers
Linda Stinson, Claire Louise Flynn Bloomfield, and to Gearóid McAuley and John McMullan for sharing their expertise, experiences and invaluable guidance.

It was amazing to see so many passionate individuals taking the first steps towards building their own businesses. The energy in the room was truly motivating.

If you’ve been thinking about starting your journey, get in touch with us on [email protected] or sign up to Go Succeed NI, our free business support service.

11/05/2026

✨Is your business Fleadh Ready?

We’re hosting 2 Fleadh Cheoil information sessions tomorrow for businesses in East Belfast.

Come along to hear about street trading, programming and support for your business.

📅 Tuesday 12 May
🕛 9am & 7pm
📍Skainos

👉Register to secure your place by emailing [email protected]