NEWS

Castle Street 3 car park, Ballymena CCTV has been installed at a Ballymena town centre car park following a series of reports of antisocial behaviour, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has confirmed. The Church Street 3 car park, which can be accessed from both Castle Street and the Larne Road Link, has become a regular meeting point for young drivers during night-time hours. While the area is commonly used for parking, concerns have been raised due to its close proximity t

Sam Moore of S&T Moore, Coleraine A long-established Coleraine menswear retailer is entering a new chapter after nearly half a century, as owner Samuel Moore prepares for retirement and the business is taken over by Wallace’s of Ballymena. In a statement released this today (Tuesday 13 January 2026), S & T Moore confirmed that Samuel Moore will be stepping back after 48 years at the helm of the business — a store that began as a small local shop and went on to become a famili

The Food Warehouse store set to open in Ballymena Ballymena is set to welcome a major new retail arrival, with The Food Warehouse , part of the Iceland Food Group, preparing to open its newest Northern Ireland store in the town. The Ballymena outlet will be the fifth Food Warehouse location in Northern Ireland, joining existing stores in Newtownabbey, Belfast, Craigavon and Banbridge. Love Ballymena understands the store is expected to open its doors before the end of March 2

Tom presenting the Christmas Window Dressing - Hospitality Award to Kim from Shot Coffee Shop Festive creativity and community spirit were centre stage across Ballymena this Christmas as the Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2025 Christmas Window Dressing Competition. Organised by Ballymena Chamber of Commerce , the long-running competition attracted a record number of entries this year, reflecting growing enthusiasm among local businesses to create eye-catchin

Police in Ballymena have launched an investigation following a reported assault involving a female member of staff and a customer at a local bar. The incident is reported to have taken place late on Friday evening, 19 December 2025, at the Grouse Bar in Ballymena. Officers have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. The incident, which occurred during what is typically a busy period for hospitalit

Dunluce Street, Larne Mid and East Antrim councillors have been told of planned “cosmetic improvements” for Dunluce Street in Larne. A report presented to a recent meeting of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee said the scheme will include the cleaning and painting of property façades and gable walls, treatment of downpipes and guttering, and the replacement of hoarding at a derelict gap site. Dunluce Street, a key town centre thoroughfare, was previously

Ballymena is gearing up for a major festive celebration this Saturday, 13 December, as Santa’s Spectacular Festive Cavalcade returns for its third year—complete with hundreds of illuminated vehicles, charity fundraising, and the hugely popular Festive Minions bringing lively chaos to the town centre earlier in the day. The much anticipated Christmas convoy, which always attracts visitors from near and far, has rapidly become one of Ballymena’s standout seasonal events. Host

Children in Ballymena are set for an extra dose of festive cheer this year as two local retailers announce a major Christmas giveaway featuring all 15 toys from the prestigious DreamToys 2025 list. Following the official unveiling of the highly anticipated selection, Smyths at Braidwater Retail Park and ToyTown in Fairhill Shopping Centre have teamed up to offer a dream prize for local youngsters — the full lineup of this year’s must-have toys, gadgets and games. The initia

Christmas arrived early for Ballymena today as Primark officially opened the doors of its brand-new store at Fairhill Shopping Centre — a major £5 million investment that doubles the retailer’s footprint in the town and delivers a welcome boost to the local economy. The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Jackson Minford, joined store colleagues for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a significant milestone for the internationally recognised retailer, which first

The countdown is almost over — Primark Ballymena will officially open its brand-new store at Fairhill Shopping Centre this Friday, 5th December at 10am , marking one of the most significant retail moments the town has seen in years. The opening forms the centrepiece of Fairhill Shopping Centre’s ongoing £10 million redevelopment, which has transformed the site throughout 2024 and 2025 with upgraded mall spaces, improved facilities and a refreshed brand identity designed to st

North Pole-sent, and full of fun and clever ideas, Ballymena BID’s dynamic duo Emma McCrea (Manager) and Clare Moore (Business Engagement Officer) continue on mission, urging shoppers to discover the best of Ballymena businesses this Christmas! Ballymena has stepped into the festive period with renewed confidence after a hugely successful Ballymena Discount Day and the announcement that Ballymena BID has secured a third term. The dual boost marks a significant moment for loca

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has deferred a decision on the proposed sale of a multi-storey car park in Ballymena town centre. Minutes of a discussion, which took place behind closed doors at a council meeting last month, state that a report had sought approval to market Springwell Street Multi-Storey Car Park for sale. Councillors were advised that a sale would “represent a significant impact on capital budget”. However, members requested further information to be pro

Proudly brought to you by Ballymena BID (Business Improvement District) Ballymena Town Centre is gearing up for a magical festive season, unveiling a vibrant programme of family-friendly events, Christmas characters, charity activities and pop-up entertainment designed to bring joy and festive spirit to the heart of the town. With festive shopping, cosy cafés, vibrant bars and restaurants, and a full schedule of December activities, Ballymena is inviting visitors from near an

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is set to usher in the festive season with a series of much-loved Christmas Artisan Markets, celebrating local creativity and offering residents and visitors the chance to enjoy seasonal shopping in the heart of their town centres. The markets—now a staple of the borough’s Christmas calendar—will feature an array of local producers showcasing artisan foods, festive bakes, handcrafted decorations and unique gifts. Designed to bring communiti

The former Woolworths store on Bridge Street, Ballymena Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has deferred a decision on the sale of the former Woolworths premises in Ballymena town centre. The property at 12–16 Bridge Street was discussed in a closed session at a council meeting last month. Councillors had been asked to approve placing the building on the market. The former chain store, which closed in 2008, sits opposite council headquarters at The Braid. Last year, the counc

The vacant premises on Church Street in Ballymena town centre Plans have been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council that could see a vacant retail unit on Church Street, Ballymena, transformed into a combined coffee shop and amusement arcade. The application, submitted by Broad Enterprises Ltd of Belmont Crescent, Londonderry, seeks permission for a change of use at 41–43 Church Street from its current retail designation to a mixed café and entertainment venue. Acco

Ballymena has become one of the latest towns in the UK to benefit from EE’s new 5G+ network, with upgraded coverage now live across the area in time for the busy Christmas period. The enhancement – rolled out at no extra cost – aims to provide faster speeds and significantly more reliable connectivity for residents, shoppers and visitors, particularly around high-footfall areas such as Fairhill Shopping Centre. The upgrade forms part of EE’s nationwide December rollout, which

Barr’s Butchers, one of Ballymena’s longest-established family businesses, has officially opened a major new store on Ballymoney Street, marking a significant milestone in its 147-year history. The fifth-generation butchers, founded in 1878 by George Barr, unveiled the expanded premises on Tuesday 25 November, signalling a substantial investment both in the future of the business and in Ballymena town centre. Now led by Managing Director Trevor Barr , great-great grandson of

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched its annual Christmas policing operation, Operation Season’s Greetings, aimed at keeping people safe throughout the festive period and into the New Year. The initiative, unveiled on Monday 24th November, will see increased police visibility and patrols across towns and cities, with a strong focus on shopping districts, nightlife venues and public transport hubs. Both uniformed and plain-clothed officers will be deploye

Ballymena is set to come alive with festive cheer as the much-loved Jingle All the Way campaign returns for 2025, with the Ballymena NI Hospice Support Group preparing to host its eagerly anticipated Jingle Day in aid of the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. Taking place on Saturday 6th December , from 10:00am to 3:30pm , the event promises a packed programme of family-friendly entertainment across Harmony Hub (the Bandstand) and Greenvale Street , bringing the communit