Town Centre Development
The towns of Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus have for generations been the trading heart of our boroughs. Mid and East Antrim will build on the investment and partnerships already in place to ensure a vibrant future for our town centres that responds to the challenges of a changing retail landscape.
Ballymena
Ballymena town is well recognised as an excellent shopping destination. In order that Ballymena continues to thrive, Ballymena Borough Council has implemented key strategies to promote local businesses and encourage regeneration.
Ballymena Town Centre Development Ltd is in its third year and brings together public and private sector interests in order to undertake initiatives to promote the town.
The town has also been central to lobbying for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) legislation which will become live early in 2014. Ballymena led on the BID Interreg project and is now preparing its application for the pilot scheme launched by the Department for Social Development. This will give local businesses access to resources and the power to decide themselves how best to invest it to benefit trade.
In 2014, a £4 million public realm improvement scheme funded by DSD and Council will also begin. This will modernise the town centre streetscape, improving the shopping experience for customers.
The appearance of the town centre will further be improved with some town centre buildings availing of the Department of the Environment’s £160,000 Dereliction Fund awarded to Ballymena.
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus has recently benefitted from a £2.5 million investment in a public realm scheme which has transformed the town centre. Funded in partnership by the Department for Regional Development, the Department for Social Development and Carrickfergus Borough Council, the scheme has seen the town centre paved in high quality Caithness and granite stone with new street furniture and lighting installed as well as improved linkages between the town’s commercial heart and its waterfront.
Following on from this, Carrickfergus Borough Council, in partnership with Carrickfergus Regeneration Partnership, has secured DSD funding of £150,000 to facilitate cosmetic improvements to the retail environment in key areas within the town centre.
Again, the result of co-operation between Council and the Regeneration Partnership, Carrickfergus has successfully qualified for second round consideration for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant package worth £1.7 million. This funding aims to carry out a heritage-led regeneration of the historic town centre by supporting the repair and regeneration of historic buildings within the Carrickfergus Conservation Area.
Larne
The Council has recently completed the refurbishment of Larne Town Hall to create a central venue for community activities. This will contribute to the vibrancy of the town centre while at the same time retaining the historical characteristics and contributing to the conservation of Larne’s built heritage.
Also recently refurbished, Larne Market Yard now offers fabulous indoor and outdoor facilities within the walled market yard area. It is one of the largest and most complete market yards still in existence, being an uncommon example of an essentially Victorian building complex. The Wednesday Variety Market is thriving and there are now a number of specialist food and craft markets taking place which promote the best of local produce and creative arts.
Similar to the other councils, Larne is progressing with a Public Realm project. This is one of a number of substantial projects which are part of the Town Centre Masterplan which aims to contribute to the regeneration of Larne Town
