The Newtownabbey Times is a local newspaper which has been circulated around the area for over 100…read moreyears. It is published by Johnston Press plc. (One of the top 3 largest local newspaper publishers in the UK) It's sister papers include the Carrickfergus and Larne Times, each with their own offices in the respective areas. Together they have been reporting news stories around the East Antrim area since the 1860s. Focusing mainly on local news, it is a valuable source of community information and news updates. It is currently published every Thursday and coverage includes news, sports, health and education amongst a number of contemporary news stories or reviews. For more information or to contact the newspaper, email susan.gillen@jpress.co.uk or send your letters to Newtownabbey Times, 14 Portland Avenue, Glengormley, Newtownabbey, BT36 5EY. Telephone: 028 9084 3621

Newtownabbey Times includes stories from all across the area - from Ballyduff to Ballyclare, from…read moreCarnmoney to Templepatrick, and from Glengormley to Jordanstown. It's comprehensive coverage mean that it's a) quite an in-depth paper (certainly not on par with The Sun etc), and b) it takes quite a while to read (not such a good idea when on a hot, stuffy bus from Ballyclare to Belfast, with ten screaming teenagers arguing over whether it's a bikelist or a cyclist...). I did, however, come across a few interesting nuggets of information. For example, who knew that there even was a Women's Rugby World Cup, let alone the fact that one of Ireland's players comes from Whiteabbey? Or indeed that there is a singing group known as the Belfast Phoenix Choir? My life has been greatly enhanced thanks to these wonderful pieces of completely useful information. As well as the news section, the Newtownabbey Times has a rather amusing birthday component (one particular vengeful twin used this to her advantage), as well as a jobs section (Primark are looking Christmas staff already?!), business news, a sports section, property news, a careers / training / education insert, and a lengthy motorcar segment. All in all, not a bad paper.

Small newsagent, very popular with the pupils of neighbouring high school, especially between noon…read moreand 1pm however does not get as much trade as the 'main' newsagent in centre of town

I remember going in there when I was St. Colm's. He's retired now. Donated the last of his sweet…read morestock to the Youth Club. Good man.

Located on Bangor's Main Street the Spectator Offices are sleek and sophisticated, unlike the rest…read moreof the buildings on main street the you do not have to fear perched pigeons overhead. I recently visited the offices to enquire about placing an advertisement and to be frank, I felt under dressed. The staff on the reception did not judge my scruffy appearance, they were helpful and informative. They advised that the best way to continue with my enquiry was to go online. Although this was far from a wasted journey. The offices were a hub of activity, the sense of excitement alone prompted me to buy the latest issue of the County Down Spectator, the peak of local investigative journalism. If you have a scoop for the reporters or just want to buy the latest issue of the paper then my advice is to visit the Spectator offices and see where the local news comes from.

Again, this is quite hard for me to review this place as I have worked here in the past as a…read morereporter and know most of the staff so I can't really be mean about any of them. Not that I could be mean about anyone here because they really are a lovely bunch of folks who made me feel very welcome when I first worked here. The journalistic side of things is professionally run by Paul the editor and they have a real tradition of excellent reporting as well as a welcoming and interested attitude when you ring up about a story. Us hacks are always looking for a scoop so there is no need to feel intimidated or feel that you couldn't ring up. I never worked in the advertising office but always found them helpful and incredibly well informed anytime I had to deal with them. This really is a well established and much loved wee local paper, you can't go bad with it.

Somehow I got talked into designing some posters for a surprise party, which is why I found myself…read morein this place in Portview. I was a little nervous heading in, not sure whether my artwork was high res enough, or even if they'd do such a small job. No need to worry, the service was top class. From the cheery receptionist to the very kind designer who took me into the studio to check the artwork and see what I wanted, everything was flawless. They were even so quick I had a call from them before I'd even got home telling me my posters were done. The lovely lady even gave me a diary when I went to collect my prints (which looked brilliant). Sad as it sounds, I loved the experience so much I'm now hunting out other things I need printed!

Don't usually do these review things but the service at Media Design and Print…read more(http://www.mediadesignandprint.com) was so good I feel I have to. I needed 500 A5 leaflets (https://www.mediadesignandprint.com/products/promo/8/leaflets#prices2) for Friday and ordered them on Thursday. Print companies that I have used in the past don't want to know about this sort of turnaround but this company made it all too easy (Michael's the man!) and only charged me £46 into the bargain. The quality of the print was also exceptional. No worries with this crowd, I'll definitely use them again.

I'm actually surprised by the fact that I enjoyed the Ulster Tatler so much. I'd always had it down…read moreas an older ladies magazine, which is certainly is to an extent, but I did rather appreciate the variety of articles and information covered. Of course, there's the obligatory photos of just about every social event in Northern Ireland (and that includes a few graduation photos...definitely the place to be seen, especially in relation to the style stakes), and the guides to finding the most exorbitantly priced makeup / beauty salon / restaurant in the province, but there are a few interesting articles that I didn't realise would feature in such a publication. A few interviews with local well-to-do people appear, as well as a focus on a certain town in NI, which happens to be Ballyclare in this month's edition, cultural information and travel news. I doubt they could have fitted in much more if they'd tried... Not quite my cup of tea, but you certainly get your money's worth with a well-packed magazine that features the best of Norn Iron.

I am technically from Antrim (despite being on the periphery between it and County Down), but I had…read morenever come across this newspaper until yesterday. And I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. Covering a whole matter of issues, from UFF statements to Crumlin's new Tesco store, and from stories on animal cruelty to an article on the exorbitant charges in relation to hospitals (all included in this particular edition), the Antrim Guardian features a whole lot more than any newspaper I've ever read. You've got your family announcements (death notices and the like), careers section (including information and advice on career choices / how to cope with exam results), Classifieds, 'What's on in town' (a guide to entertainment etc), a Trades and Services Guide, Appointments (which is really just the job's section), Motor Showcase, pages and pages of pictures and a sport's section. Flip. As if that wasn't enough, they dot loads of little random stories throughout the paper, mainly with regard to legal enquiries / court cases. One such story that particularly caught my eye was a case on assault, with the charged pleading guilty to attacking another man. Apparently this was linked to his relationship with his girlfriend, with whom he had been having problems. The best bit (and this totally made my day) is when the defence says, "You can not be in love and be wise. The defendant decided himself to go and speak to the other male in person to sort things out." Excellent. You would really need all day to read the Antrim Guardian, and despite only incorporating stories from the county itself, it is a long read, and incredibly thorough. It is a great local paper, and I felt I got my money's worth for the £1 I spent on it.

Excellent paper shop, does dvd rentals too. The staff are…read morealways friendly and willing to help. Dinky doughnuts, icecream, penny sweets, popcorn and all the treats you would need for a good night in in front of a dvd. Excellent displays at halloween and christmas. Well worth a visit!!!