Ormeau Labs becoming a Living Wage Hub in Belfast's Linen Quarter

Ormeau Labs celebrates first year of Living Wage Accreditation by becoming a Living Wage Hub in Belfast’s Linen Quarter

Ormeau Labs is celebrating its first anniversary as an accredited Living Wage Employer, marking an important milestone in its ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive, people-focused business community in Belfast.

The milestone reflects Ormeau Labs’ commitment to building more than a co-working space. Since opening, it has grown into a community of founders, creators, entrepreneurs and independent businesses who share a belief that good work should support good lives.

“We set out to create a place where collaboration, creativity and entrepreneurship could thrive, but where people remain at the centre. Becoming a Living Wage Employer was a natural extension of those values. It reflects the kind of community we want to build, one rooted in fairness, opportunity and shared success.”

Amy Junkin, General Manager at Ormeau Labs

That impact is now growing beyond Ormeau Labs itself. Over the past year, members Navigator Blue and Napoleon Coffee have also achieved Living Wage accreditation, with Napoleon Coffee becoming the first Living Wage café in the Linen Quarter, the second in Northern Ireland, and one of only seven accredited hospitality businesses in the region.

Together, these businesses are helping build momentum for fair pay and responsible business across the district.

“By becoming an Accredited Real Living Wage employer, alongside our neighbours Ormeau Labs and Napoleon Coffee, we’re helping LQ BID in its goal of creating Northern Ireland's first Living Wage District. Given the high cost of living, we hope that more businesses across the community also commit to this important movement. People should be paid fairly for the work they do and enjoy coming to work because their efforts are appropriately remunerated. As a business we also believe that employment should be the gateway to a fulfilling and rewarding life so we’re proud that our people have the opportunity to enrich and enjoy their lives.”

Gary Plant, Navigator Blue

“People have always been at the centre of Napoleon Coffee. As a small hospitality business, our team is such a huge part of the experience we create every day, and we believe it’s important that the people who contribute so much to the business feel valued, supported and fairly paid. We’ve proudly paid the Real Living Wage for the past three years, and becoming officially accredited this year feels like an important reflection of the ethos we’ve built the café around. We’re also proud to be the first hospitality venue in the Linen Quarter to become accredited, and one of only seven accredited hospitality businesses across Northern Ireland. Being based within the wider Ormeau Baths community alongside other accredited organisations including Ormeau Labs and Navigator Blue makes that recognition feel even more meaningful”

Rachel Snowden, Napoleon

With only 29 organisations in the Linen Quarter currently holding Living Wage accreditation, each new employer represents a meaningful step towards a fairer local economy.

“Congratulations to Ormeau Labs. Not only are they celebrating one year as a Living Wage Employer, but they have also influenced Napoleon Coffee and Navigator Blue to accredit. In order to address the fact that Northern Ireland has the second highest rate of low pay in the UK, initiatives like Linen Quarter BID’s Living Wage incentive scheme, along with champions of the Living Wage such as Ormeau Labs, are vital. We urge more businesses in the Linen Quarter to join Ormeau Labs, Napoleon Coffee and Navigator Blue to put their people first by paying the real Living Wage and help make the Linen Quarter Northern Ireland’s first sustainable district.”

Mary McManus, Living Wage NI Regional Manager 

Support from Linen Quarter BID’s Living Wage incentive scheme has helped make that step easier by covering first-year accreditation fees for BID members, reducing barriers for businesses ready to make a positive change.

“We’re proud to see organisations like Ormeau Labs leading the way and demonstrating how businesses can create a positive impact far beyond their own walls. Their commitment to fair pay and community is helping build a stronger, more inclusive Belfast, and we hope it encourages more organisations across the city to join this growing movement for positive change.”

 Chris McCracken, Managing Director at Linen Quarter BID

As Ormeau Labs celebrates its first year of accreditation, its focus remains clear: supporting people, strengthening community, and helping build a fairer, more inclusive future for Belfast.