ISSUED ON BEHALF OF ULSTER TATLER

May 9th, 2016

Pamela Ballantine is calling for your vote!

TV favourite Pamela launches 2016 Ulster Tatler Awards in association with Optilase Eye Clinic

POPULAR TV and radio personality Pamela Ballantine is asking the Northern Ireland public to cast their votes for their favourite people and businesses for this year’s Ulster Tatler Awards.

The prestigious awards ceremony, now in its ninth year, was created by the long-running magazine to celebrate those who have been featuring in its pages for 50 years.

The gala event, in association with Optilase Eye Clinic, will take place at Belfast City Hall on Thursday September 15 with key awards including Celebrity of the Year and Sports Person of the Year and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award which has recognised some of Ulster’s best loved personalities over the years such as Dame Mary Peters OBE, Brian Friel, Sir James Galway, Gloria Hunniford, Phil Coulter, Terri Hooley, Barry McGuigan and Michael Longley.

The full list of categories can be found at www.ulstertatler.com and members of the public are invited to vote for their favourite on the website or by filling in the voting form in the Ulster Tatler magazine. All those who vote will be in with a chance of winning a selection of great prizes.

Votes must be received or registered by midnight on Saturday July 2, 2016.

Ulster Tatler editor Chris Sherry said: “We are excited to launch the ninth Ulster Tatler Awards in association with Optilase Eye Clinic. As we celebrate our 50th birthday this year, we couldn’t be prouder of how our annual awards have become such an anticipated event in the social calendar of Northern Ireland.

We are delighted to confirm that our good friend Pamela Ballantine will return as host this year to add a touch of glitz to proceedings, and we cannot wait to recognise the great talent and personalities that Northern Ireland has produced, culminating of course with our ‘Lifetime Achievement’ winner which is always a special moment on awards night,” he added.

Speaking of hosting the awards, popular TV personality Pamela Ballantine said: “I am thrilled to be back for a second year as host of the Ulster Tatler Awards. Last year was so much fun and celebrating our local talent makes it an evening to remember.

I urge everyone out there to register their votes online or in the magazine to ensure that their favourites are recognised on the night,” concluded Pamela.

Tracy Gilligan, CEO of Optilase said: “This will be our third year as Title Sponsor of the Ulster Tatler Awards. We are so proud to be part of such a high calibre awards ceremony that recognises the hard working, successful businesses and personalities that exist in Northern Ireland.”

[ends]

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: The following page contains a full list of Ulster Tatler Awards categories. For further information, please contact Ciara Jordan or Peter Dunwoody of Duffy Rafferty Communications on 028 9073 0880.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

Full category list below:

·  Fashion Boutique of the Year

·  Interiors Store of the Year

·  Hairdressing Salon of the Year

·  Health & Beauty Salon/Spa of the Year

·  Cosmetic Practice/Clinic of the Year

·  Restaurant of the Year

·  Hotel of the Year

·  Charity of the Year

·  Sports Person of the Year

·  Celebrity of the Year

·  Independent Travel Agent of the Year

·  Business Woman of the Year

·  Business Man of the Year

·  Car Showroom of the Year

·  NI website of the Year

·  Lifetime Achievement Award