MP and Cllr congratulates The Bottom Drawer on 15th birthday

Carla Lockhart MP • October 18, 2022

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and Cllr Margaret Tinsley have congratulated local business The Bottom Drawer on celebrating 15 years in business. The Portadown boutique and home wear store has been a wonderful success story, bringing people from across Northern Ireland and beyond to Portadown.

Speaking on a visit to mark the shop’s birthday, Carla Lockhart and Cllr Tinsle said:

 

“Rhonda and Francis are to be congratulated on reaching 15 years in business here in Magowan Buildings. They are great examples of women in business and I know their success has inspired others to take the step into retail.

 

Running an independent shop on the High Street can be challenging. Sadly many fail, but The Bottom Drawer has gone from strength to strength in their 15 years with the expansion of the store a reflection on its popularity and loyal customer base.

 

I wish the girls well in the future. I know the business will continue to increase in popularity and continue to make Portadown a destination town for many women. That is what we need in our local towns and I commend The Bottom Drawer for all they have achieved.”

Share

AFBI must lead by example and continue to restore credibility

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Carla Lockhart MP has reaffirmed her calls for the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to continue taking urgent steps to restore public and industry confidence, following a number of deeply concerning and widely reported incidents.

NI planning system preventing producers from capitalising on growing demand for eggs

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed confirmation of a sharp rise in egg consumption across the UK, but warned that Northern Ireland’s dysfunctional planning system is preventing local producers from capitalising on this growing demand.

LOCKHART WELCOMES MAJOR BOOST FOR LURGAN COLLEGE WITH CONSTRUCTION GREEN LIGHT

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed Education Minister Paul Givan MLA’s announcement that the Lurgan College School Enhancement Project will now progress to construction stage, describing it as a major milestone for the school and wider community.

Lockhart Opens Hope 4 M.E & Fibro Exhibition at Millennium Court

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has opened the Hope 4 M.E & Fibro Exhibition at Millennium Court, using the event to highlight the urgent need for greater awareness, improved support and better services for those living with Fibromyalgia, M.E. and Long Covid.

Upper Bann Pupils Experience Westminster During Memorable Visit to Parliament

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed pupils from Ballydown Primary School, Banbridge, and Clounagh Junior High School to Westminster this week, describing the visit as a fantastic opportunity for young people to experience Parliament first-hand and engage with politics at the heart of government.

Veterans Deserve Protection, Not Prosecution

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said she voted this week against the Government’s Carry-Over Motion on legacy legislation because she could not support measures which leave those who served in the security forces exposed while terrorists and those who backed them seek to rewrite the past.

Waringstown Big Spring Clean-Up Welcomes Support from Local MP

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has once again shown her support for grassroots community initiatives by taking part in the Waringstown Big Spring Clean-Up, organised by the Well Kept Waringstown group as part of the wider Live Here Love Here campaign.

Lockhart Applauds Fibro Friends Banbridge Relaunch Success

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the success of another coffee morning hosted by Fibro Friends Banbridge, praising the group’s growing impact in supporting those living with Fibromyalgia and ME.

Lockhart Praises Community Support at Ballytyrone Orange Hall Breakfast

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has praised the tremendous community spirit on display at Ballytyrone Orange Hall after attending its hugely successful Bellybuster Fry fundraiser.

Lockhart Welcomes Historic Legal Recognition for Sign Languages in Northern Ireland

By Carla Lockhart MP • April 29, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed landmark legislation to recognise British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language in law in Northern Ireland, describing it as a major breakthrough for rights, inclusion and accessibility.