Hospitality Ulster celebrates industry staff with annual Carnival

Northern Ireland’s biggest and best annual hospitality industry party returned to the Limelight in Belfast last night, 4 February, to reward the hard work of the industry’s staff following the busy Christmas period.

Hospitality business owners and their hard-working staff enjoyed a big night off with entertainment from iconic special guest DJ/host Julian Simmons, plus live music from Morgan Wallen UK, Fleetwood Mac tribute band Big Love, Oasis tribute band Roll With It, Luke Combs UK, String Ninjas and Kev Bartlett. The Sam Maguire Cup also made a special guest appearance, allowing attendees to get their hands on a piece of sporting history.

Despite the challenges that lie ahead for the industry come April, partygoers filled the Limelight in their numbers from 7pm to late, taking in world class live music, DJs, premium street food and drinks, carnival dancers, performers, magicians, face painters and more.

This year’s Carnival, sponsored by Diageo Northern Ireland, Dillon Bass, Tennent’s NI, and Tourism Northern Ireland, along with food sponsors Sysco, Henderson Foodservice and Musgrave Marketplace, brought together hospitality staff from far and wide to thank them for their hard work throughout the year.

The night was also supported by industry partners Britvic, Budweiser, Coca-Cola, Classic Drinks, Drinks Inc, Edward Dillon, Molson Coors, Lynas, Richmond, United Wines, media partner LCN Magazine and transport partner Value Cabs.

Joel Neill, Operations Director, Hospitality Ulster said:

“At the beginning of each year, Hospitality Ulster throws an industry party in the shape of Carnival to give business owners an opportunity to thank their staff for their hard work, especially over the busy Christmas period. Despite the challenges that the industry is currently facing with increasing costs of doing business and a lack of government support, it was important for us to make sure that this year’s Carnival was as big a celebration of our industry’s people as ever.

“In the face of an extortionate VAT rate, rising Employer National Insurance contributions, an unfair business rates system, and still dealing with the fallouts of the Covid pandemic, we want to show that this is an industry that still values and rewards its staff. Moreover, we want to showcase the fun and dynamic industry we have, despite its challenges. HU Carnival is always a great night, one of the highlights of the social calendar.

“It’s only right that one of the best nights of the year is geared towards the people who make the other ‘best nights of the year’ possible through their hard work. With our ongoing efforts to supply career development opportunities in the industry, it’s also fitting to provide an opportunity for everyone involved to have some fun and feel appreciated.”