Company closure could jeopardize NI event hosting

An events company in Northern Ireland could close at the end of next year because of British government cutbacks, it was claimed tonight.

Northern Ireland Events Management Company went on the offensive over the slashing of its budget from £2.4m (€3.4m) last year to £600,000 (€857,000) next year.

The company, set up in 1997, is supporting next month’s Cinemagic children’s film festival in Belfast, a comedy festival in Derry in March and the Uefa under-19 European football championships in July.

Northern Ireland Events Management claimed the funding decision could undermine long-term plans to develop the Milk Cup youth soccer tournament and the North West 200 motorcycle meeting, which have been attracting more visitors in recent years.