General
Q. Do you have a tourism strategy for Mid and East Antrim?
A. Our last strategy expired in 2021, and an interim plan is in place. A future strategy will be developed to align with Tourism NI’s forthcoming strategy and City Deal developments.
Q. Where can I find out about Brexit in relation to my tourism business?
A. Please see Tourism NI guidance on Brexit.
Travel
Q. Where can I find out about Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for guests staying at my premises travelling from Dublin?
A. This scheme is still currently in development. The Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA) are lobbying on behalf of industry so check out their website for regular updates.
Q. Where can I find information for guests staying at my premises who are hiring a car from Dublin?
A. Information regarding driving in Northern Ireland can be found here. Please ensure your guests make it clear to the car hire company that they will be crossing the border. There is no issue with this, but the hire will be subject to additional costs in relation to additional breakdown cover required and administration.
Hospitality
Q. Where can I find out about pavement cafe licensing?
A. Pavement cafes are becoming a familiar sight across the UK and Ireland and a license from Council is required to operate.
Q. Do I require an entertainment licence for music on my premises?
A. Check out licence requirements here.
Q. How do I get an ice cream / hot food mobile trading pitch allocation (at various Council locations)?
A. Contracts are normally tendered through E-sourcing NI. Check the Council's tenders website page regularly.
Q. How does my cafe join the 'Chatty Cafe' Scheme?
A. In order to support the start-up of new Chatty Cafes, Mid and East Antrim Loneliness Network developed a Chatty Café Toolkit to provide practical information and advice to anyone in the Borough wishing to take part in the scheme.
Q. How do I get to trade at a Council run event?
A. Anyone interested in trading at large Council run events can email the Events Team (E: events@midandeastantrim.gov.uk) with their contact/business details to be added to their database for future call outs. This is done on an event by event basis. Traders will be required to fill out an application form and then scored on various elements.
Accommodation
Q. How do I know if my accommodation should have business or domestic rates?
A. Find out more about rates for tourist accommodation.
Q. What are the bin collection days for my self-catering property?
A. Bin collection calendars for Mid and East Antrim can be found here.
Quality Standards
Q. What quality mark or grading scheme is available for my tourism business?
A. Tourism NI operate a quality grading scheme for both accommodation and visitor attractions / experiences.
Caravan and Camping
Q. Do I require planning permission for a temporary tent camp site?
A. Under permitted development rights, planning law allows for the temporary use of land for any purpose for up to 28 days in a calendar year without the need to make an application for planning permission - the ‘28-day rule’. Please note key points.
Q. I'd like to let a couple of caravans or motorhomes stay on my land, what do I need to do?
A. For those just wanting to set up a small basic campsite with no more than 5 pitches for caravans and motorhomes, then this can be achieved without the need for planning permission or a site licence, but it will require a valid exemption certificate.
Experience Development
Q. How does my experience become part of the Embrace A Giant Spirit Experience Portfolio?
A. New tourism experience businesses can complete an expression of interest but must take note of eligibility criteria. Full details here. A useful Embrace a Giant Spirit - Experience Development Update webinar from Tourism NI is also available. Tourism NI has also produced useful toolkits for: Food and Drink; Outdoor Activities and Arts, Culture & Heritage.
Q. How do I go about developing a 'Game of Thrones®' experience?
A. To safeguard the fan experience and the Game of Thrones® brand, any use of Game of Thrones® intellectual property by third parties requires authorisation and approval by HBO or its designated representatives. Any tourism providers interested in offering products or services involving or related to Game of Thrones® should contact Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment at WBThemedEntertainment@warnerbros.com
Employment
Q. How do I go about recruiting staff or an apprentice?
A. nibusinessinfo.co.uk includes a section on Employer Support Programmes such as apprenticeships and training, plus also staff recruitment. People 1st have produced an Employer Guide to Recruitment Support.
Property Searches
Q. How do I find a suitable property for my new business in Mid and East Antrim?
A. Council's unrivalled local knowledge of the region enables us to undertake wide-ranging property searches and find a site that matches your exact specification. On offer is personalised property advice and key introductions to relevant developers and planning officials to ensure you find the best location to start, grow and develop your business. To make an initial enquiry, please complete your business requirements on our Property Request form.
Industry Support
Q. Is there an industry association that represents my tourism business?
A. In addition to Tourism Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, there are also a number of sectoral tourism organisations. These include accommodation, activity, tour guiding and hospitality. Check out our support contacts for more details.
Q. Are there organisations pertaining directly to craft development?
A. Yes, Craft NI. Additional information is available on Craft Tourism.
