Salmon & Whiskey Festival 2026 - The Next Chapter, The Giant Table; Rural Needs Assessment

Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016

1A. Name of Public Authority.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.

Salmon & Whiskey Festival 2026 - The Next Chapter, The Giant Table.

1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.

Delivering a Public Service. 

1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.

Planning for Salmon & Whiskey Festival 2026 - The Next Chapter, The Giant Table.

1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.

To ensure the planning and development of a safe, desirable 3 day event that appeals to both tourists and the local community.   

1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?

Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition).and other definition

Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used: N/A.
Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’: N/A.
Reasons why a definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable. N/A.

Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service

2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?

Yes.

2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.

The event is going to have a positive impact on citizens, staff and tourists living in both rural and urban areas as it provides opportunities for social interaction and community participation while recognising traditions.  In turn, this may help to reduce social isolation for residents in dispersed rural communities.  

Consideration has been given to the barriers that may affect the ability of people in rural areas to attend. It is a free to attend event, with information available in various forms and channels.  There is good access to transport links, infrastructure and public facilities. This event is being held in Bushmills which has good bus service and also good commuter roads. 

2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.

The policy will not affect people in rural areas differently as the event is open to all. Directional signage and safety measures will be highlighted to all in attendance.  

The only impact is that rural residents will have longer travel distances which may incur additional costs but has the added benefit of the socialisation opportunities with tourists and rural neighbours alike. 
 

2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.

Rural Tourism, Transport Services or Infrastructure. 

2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.

N/A.

Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas

3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?

Yes.

3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.

Published Statistics, Consultation with Other Organisations, Research Papers and other methods.

3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.

DEARA Key Rural Issues publication

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/key-rural-issues-2025-publication

Belfast Healthy Cities Transport Poverty in NI 2025.

https://www.belfasthealthyciti...

Statistics published by DEARA in Rural Data Hub.

Working Group Meetings held monthly with local businesses and stakeholders.

Local knowledge through organising previous events.

Meetings with relevant bodies i.e. Police, Council Depts. 

Meetings with local Councillors.
 

3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?

Access to community events for residents in dispersed rural communities. Consider travel distances and transport costs associated with attending events in a larger urban town.

Opportunities for social interaction for rural residents who may experience social isolation.

Accessibility for older people, parents with buggies, people with disabilities living in rural areas.

Access to information about the event to support rural participation.

Consider the heritage of the area and the grass roots of the original Salmon & Whiskey Festival. Try to integrate these into the festival which the local people of Bushmills can be proud by celebrating the local food and drink, suppliers, makers and producers.

When organising the festival consider wealth, religion, habits, education levels, family sizes and make-up, structure and population density of the surrounding area.

Economic – costs to use service, travel costs, current levels of income in the area, interest rates, laws, unemployment levels. 

3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?

N/A.

Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas

4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.

The geographical make-up of the Borough as a whole is very rural. 

Potential impact of longer travel distances and lack of transport availability to support attendance by rural residents.  

The need to ensure accessibility for older people with disabilities who travel from rural areas.

Ensuring event locations are accessible for transport and parking arrangements.  

The need to promote the event in a variety of ways to reach rural communities.  

Support socialisation for residents in dispersed rural settings.

By the provision of this event social interaction is encouraged and may reduce isolation which was determined in the Economic Development Strategy. 

Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service

5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?

Yes.

5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.

Promote the event through a range of communication channels to support rural residents’ inclusion.  

Locations have been selected to support car parking, link in with other transport providers and near to public facilities. 

The event will support social interaction for both rural and urban communities. 

The event is free to attend for all residents, tourists alike. 

A post event evaluation to help identify any areas for improvement will be carried out.

5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.

N/A has been influenced by the rural needs identified as detailed above.