NEWS
Finalists have been announced for the Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards 2026, set to held at the Mansion House, Dublin on October 1. Merchants competing for the NI Regional Award include Haldane Fisher Lisburn, JP Corry Springfield Road, Belfast, Macblair Antrim, Murdock Builders Merchants, Antrim and Newry Building Supplies. JP Corry Springfield Road has also been shortlisted for Sustainable Business Excellence, and Haldane Fisher Newry for the Digital Excellence, 6+ branches. Local Rising Star nominees include Luke Burford (Haldane Fisher Larne), Jason Fullerton (JP Corry Ballymena), Michale McClorey (Cranwood Industries Newry), Oisin McGovern (Murdock Castlereagh) and Sarah Topley (Haldane Fisher Lisburn). Unsung Hero nominees include Jason Antrobus (MacBlair Antrim), Darrell Bell (JP Corry Castlereagh), Paul Campbell (Haldane Fisher Newry), Ian Copeland (JP Corry Newry), John Davison (Haldane Fisher Larne) and Jonathan Eddie (MacBlair Central Support Belfast). Also, Paddy Heffron (MacBlair Antrim), Johnny Hurst (Newry Building Supplies), Jonny McEvoy (Haldane Fisher Lisburn), Billy McIvor and Daniel McNeill (Murdock Newry), Randal Morwood (Haldane Fisher Castle St Portadown), David Weatherup (MacBlair Duncrue) and David Wood (JP Corry Portadown). www.octabuild.ie Octabuild Awards 2026 finalists
L-R: Sara Neilson, Farrans, Matt Stalford, FSJV, Louise Sterritt, Translink, and Brian Reid, RICS NI Chair.
Top project goes to Belfast Grand Central
Belfast Grand Central Station has been named Project of the Year at the RICS NI Awards 2026, held in the Europa Hotel on July 2. Delivered by Farrans Sacyr JV, the £340m project also won in the Community Benefit category and will represent the region at the UK Grand Final on October 22. The new-build station features 26 new bus stands and a new bus route with bridge-to-carriageway connection, eight new rail lines connecting to the existing network, and public realm works forming the centrepiece of Weavers Cross. It was praised by judges as representing excellence across quality design and
public realm, cost efficiency, team culture, social impact, community
consultation, collaboration, safety and drive for excellence. The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. Other category winners included City Quay Gardens, Belfast (Heritage), Enterprise & Innovation Digi-Hub, Omagh (Refurbishment/Revitalisation), NI Fire & Rescue Service Learning and Development College (Public Sector), The Savoy, Bangor (Residential Development) and Lidl NI, Newcastle (Commercial Development). www.rics.org
St Ronan’s College, Lurgan.
Outstanding plans, projects, homes and people demonstrating the positive impact of planning have been recognised at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence at Ulster University Belfast on June 11. This year’s winners include St Ronan’s College, Lurgan, which won Best Project, and Tates Avenue, submitted by Radius Housing Association, recognised as Best Housing and Communities Scheme. St Ronan’s College was praised by judges as an exemplary school setting the benchwork for the benefits of strong collaboration between stakeholders and the local community, while Tates Avenue represents exceptional reuse of a brownfield site in a city centre location. The Keep in Belfast City Centre, a mixed-use building featuring retail and leisure units, received the Judges’ Award, while Dr Emily Wray was named NI Young Planner of the Year. Commendations went to Glencairn Place Shaping Plan 2036 in the Best Plan category, and St Patrick’s Shared Housing, Ballymena and The Savoy, Donaghadee for Best Housing and Communities Scheme. www.rtpi.org.uk St Ronan’s recognised at planning awards
www.nibuilder.co.uk
FOLLOW US ON:
NI BUILDER | 5
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online