Ards and North Down: Your gateway to coastal charm and business excellence
Ards and North Down is a region brimming with natural beauty, rich heritage, and vibrant communities. This feature explores the unique aspects that make it a must-visit destination for tourists and a fantastic place to invest or grow a business, as well as a wonderful place to call home.
Ards and North Down is a hub for economic growth and innovation. With a strong focus on sectors such as advanced engineering, Creative Digital and Agri-food, the region offers numerous opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. Ards and North Down Borough council’s initiatives like the Blue: Green, Creatively Connected strategy are helping to create a thriving and prosperous environment for both residents and businesses.
Over the past year, the council’s economic development service has delivered a range of innovative programmes providing critical support to more than 1,400 local businesses. These programmes have significantly enhanced operational capabilities and market competitiveness across the borough.
The council’s offering has included targeted programmes in agri-food, supporting the food and drink sector; and a Female Leadership Programme, helping entrepreneurs enhance their business skills and gain Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualifications. The Green Adaptation Programme enabled businesses to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, while the Labour Market Partnership (LMP) provided funding for an Employee Upskilling programme, supporting over 200 people to achieve qualifications and sustainable employment in the area with employers including Tesco, Lidl, Hays, South Eastern Trust, and Amazon.
Investment opportunities
Ards and North Down is home to exceptional talent, significant retail centres, and a rich tourism offering. Renowned for Agri-food businesses, advanced manufacturing, and creative technology hubs, the region is a proven location for success. Major companies like Spirit Aerospace, Denman, Whale, 3M, Lakeland Dairies, Mash Direct, and Teleperformance thrive here. With strong connectivity to Belfast and Dublin, and leading digital infrastructure, it is an ideal choice for professional relocation and business growth.
Businesses are drawn to Ards and North Down due to its accessibility and affordability, while residents benefit from a thriving local economy and coastal charm. The dynamic borough offers an exceptional environment for enterprises seeking to establish a foothold in Europe.
The council offers tailored business support, developing business infrastructure, and fostering partnerships with key industry players. Land holdings in Bangor, the largest city in the council area, are being explored for commercial development, while initiatives such as business mentoring programs and market access strategies further strengthen the business landscape. The council is progressing ambitious plans to redevelop a two-mile stretch of the Bangor seafront over the next 10 years, to help re-establish Bangor as a thriving city and prime visitor attraction in Northern Ireland.
The Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment is just one of a number of exciting tourism-led regeneration schemes that was eligible to receive funding from the Belfast Region City Deal. Council has been awarded £40 million for the 10-year development via a bespoke package of funding from the Department for Communities, with £20 million secured from Council and an additional investment of £12.8 million being sought from private investment.
Susie McCullough, Chief Executive of Ards and North Down Borough Council, says: “We are ideally located just minutes from Belfast City Airport, making it easy for businesspeople to connect with global markets. However, our true strength lies in our exceptional workforce: highly skilled, well-educated, and renowned for its low turnover. Beyond expertise, our local talent embodies a strong entrepreneurial spirit, driving innovation and startups across a diverse range of industries.”
Creative industries
Northern Ireland’s creative industries are experiencing significant growth, with start-ups and SMEs flourishing in areas like film, digital media, gaming, and design. The region, internationally acclaimed for productions like Game of Thrones, continues to attract investment and stimulate economic growth. The Holywood Innovation Hub, also known as the Creative Innovation Hub, is a promising initiative for Ards and North Down. It aims to be a centre of excellence for the creative and technology sectors, with a particular focus on film, TV, and screen industries. This project has been earmarked for funding from the Belfast Region City Deal.
Holywood is already home to a number of leading screen industry innovators specialising in production and post-production for TV and film, animation, design, and games development. These include Waddell Media, Italicpig, Flickerpix, Paper Owl Films, and Yellow Moon, who develop innovative products and provide essential services to many of the biggest players in screen industries such as BBC, RTÉ, Universal, HBO, and Netflix.
By embracing innovative strategies, such as providing ready-built facilities for businesses, we are committed to making Ards and North Down the top choice for investors, further contributing to Northern Ireland’s ambition to become a global hub for the screen industry.
Strengthening international ties
The region shares rich cultural and historical ties with the United States, with Bangor playing a crucial role during World War II. Ongoing commemorations and visits from the US Consulate strengthen these connections, welcoming businesses seeking opportunities in Ards and North Down.
We are already home to major investors like Brunswick Corporation, an American company focused on the production and distribution of a wide array of products, including marine engines, boats, and various parts and accessories. Bangor is a hub for Brunswick’s marine parts and accessories division. They expanded their local facilities and now produce 99 per cent of the pumps used in portable toilets around the world, designed and manufactured right here in Bangor.
Exceptional living and experiential travel
Boasting Northern Ireland’s longest coastline, picturesque villages, and rich cultural heritage, Ards and North Down is one of the most desirable places to live. Investment in public green spaces and infrastructure, such as the 40-kilometre greenway network linking major towns, enhances residents’ quality of life.
Iconic attractions like Pickie Fun Park and the historic National Trust’s Mount Stewart estate draw visitors, while activities such as Strangford Lough canoeing tours paired with authentic Irish cooking classes offer memorable experiences.
Recognising success
Ards and North Down has several awards and recognition programs for businesses, which celebrate excellence in various sectors, including innovation, customer service, sustainability, and community impact. The Ards and North Down Business Awards recognise outstanding achievements by local businesses in categories such as best new business, best customer service, and best use of digital marketing, whilst the Taste AND Awards celebrate the local industry’s achievements annually, highlighting a wide range of producers from across the Borough and their successes.
2025 will see the inaugural Ards Peninsula Business Awards, a collaboration between Newtownards Chamber of Trade, Love Local Comber, and Visit Donaghadee, in association with Ards Business Hub. A very welcome addition to the local business calendar, these awards recognise the hard work and achievements of local businesses in the Ards Peninsula area, as they play a crucial role in driving economic growth and innovation. The awards highlight the remarkable talent and dedication within this community, spanning sectors from artisan producers and hospitality to manufacturing and technology.
Join us in Ards and North Down!
Whether you are planning a visit or considering a move, Ards and North Down is ready to welcome you. Experience the charm, beauty, and opportunities that this remarkable region has to offer.
We have made incredible progress over the past decade, and we invite you to be part of the exciting journey ahead. Join us and see what the next 10 years have in store!
