NEWS

The vacant premises in Larne town centre will plans approved to be used as a place of worship Planning permission has been granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the change of use of a former coffee shop and bakery in Larne town centre into a place of worship. The proposal relates to a vacant commercial premises on Lower Cross Street. A development management officer’s report said the application proposes internal alterations only, with no external changes to the

With another school year now at an end, ten teachers and school staff from across the Ballymena area have been recognised after hundreds of local pupils nominated the people who made the biggest difference to their lives in the classroom. The winners of Ballymena BID’s popular ‘Treat Your Teacher’ competition were announced following an overwhelming response from families, with children sharing heartfelt stories of kindness, encouragement, patience and support shown throughou

A man has been charged after a woman says she caught him inside her parked car in Ballymena town centre, prompting a police investigation and a warning to motorists to ensure their vehicles are locked. The incident happened on Broadway Avenue on Wednesday, 8 July, where the woman’s car was parked outside her workplace in full view of nearby offices and commercial buildings. According to the woman, she discovered a man inside her vehicle and immediately confronted him before h

A summer of giant games, silent discos, street parties, secret surprises and birthday celebrations is set to transform Ballymena town centre as the community comes together to mark one of the biggest milestones in the town’s history. This year marks 400 years since Ballymena was granted its charter in 1626, and organisers BALLYMENA BID, in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, are promising an unforgettable programme of events designed to celebrate four centur

The refurbished Greenvale Street, a key pedestrianised thoroughfare in Ballymena that enhances accessibility for pedestrians and visitors. Ballymena is celebrating 400 years of history this year, marking four centuries of growth, industry and community spirit in one of Northern Ireland’s best-known market towns. The milestone comes at a time of significant change for town centres across the UK, with traditional retail facing increasing pressure from online shopping, changing

Antrim Town Scoops Top Town Award in All Ireland Awards. Pictured (L-R): Trevor Edwards, President of the NI Amenity Council; Paul Mawhinney, Head of Parks at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council; Minister Dara Calleary, Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (RoI); Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Henry Cushinan and Doreen Muskett MBE, Chair of the NI Amenity Council. Antrim has officially been named the best kept town anywhere on the island

Wellington Street, Ballymena A Mid and East Antrim councillor has called for a “fresh pair of eyes” to help drive town centre regeneration across the borough. Speaking at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Environment and Economy Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, Braid DUP Alderman William McCaughey called for an independent expert to be included on a proposed new town centre taskforce. Alderman McCaughey said the taskforce is “something t

Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a proposed new bingo hall at Murrayfield Shopping Centre in Larne town centre. The proposal involves the change of use of a vacant retail unit, formerly occupied by Poundland, into a bingo hall and adult gaming centre at the Point Street premises. A development management officer’s report noted that 21 letters of support and three letters of objection were received. One objection came from Toal’s

Motorists and shoppers in Ballymena are being advised to plan ahead today as Mid and East Antrim Pride takes place in the town, bringing temporary road closures, traffic disruption and an increased police presence. The Pride parade is expected to draw participants and supporters into the town centre on Saturday afternoon, June 20, while separate protest activity is also anticipated in parts of Ballymena. Police have said they will have additional officers on duty to help ensu

Motorists and town centre visitors are being advised to expect traffic disruption in Ballymena this Saturday as Mid and East Antrim Pride returns to the town, with road closures, a parade through the town centre and a heightened police presence planned throughout the afternoon. The event is due to take place on Saturday, June 20, with participants assembling in the Waveney Road area from approximately 1pm before the parade begins at 2pm. Police have confirmed that a number of

Families shopping at M&S could see noticeable savings on everything from salmon and mince to eggs, ketchup and freezer staples after the retailer announced a major £30 million investment in lowering food prices across more than 65 everyday products. The move marks one of the retailer’s biggest pushes yet to compete more aggressively for regular weekly food shops, with M&S insisting customers will still get the same quality ingredients and sourcing standards rather than a stri

The Grouse Inn on Ballymoney Street, Ballymena A man has suffered serious injuries following an alleged assault outside a pub in Ballymena during the early hours of Saturday morning. Police are investigating the incident, which happened outside The Grouse Inn at around 2.30am on Saturday 31 May. The victim is reported to have sustained Grievous Bodily Harm injuries following the assault. The incident is likely to raise concern locally given the busy weekend nightlife footfall

Psychological thrillers, contemporary romance and emotionally driven fiction are continuing to fly off the shelves at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with the latest weekly Top 10 revealing the books currently capturing readers’ attention across the town. As Father’s Day approaches, the Ballymena store is also encouraging shoppers to browse its growing range of books and gifts, while community book clubs and family storytime sessions continue to draw in readers of all ages. Top 10 th

McGroggan’s shop on William Street, serving up its last scoops of ice cream after 103 years in Ballymena town centre McGroggan’s owner Patricia McGroggan has spoken of the heartbreak behind the closure of the iconic Ballymena ice cream shop, revealing how soaring costs, collapsing town centre footfall, Brexit disruption and changing shopping habits ultimately brought an end to the 103-year-old family business. The William Street shop — famous across generations for its vanill

McGroggan’s shop on William Street, Ballymena McGroggan’s, one of Ballymena’s most recognisable family-run businesses, has announced it will close its long-established William Street shop later this week, bringing an end to more than a century of trading in the town centre. The much-loved business, renowned for its homemade ice cream and traditional treats, confirmed on Saturday that it will close its doors permanently on May 30, 2026. First established in 1923 by Hugh and An

Ballymena is preparing to celebrate a major milestone this Saturday as the town marks its 400th anniversary with a packed day of parades, live entertainment, history, music and free family activities expected to draw large crowds into the town centre. From community groups and youth organisations taking part in a colourful town parade, to live performances in People’s Park and historical re-enactors bringing centuries of local history to life, the celebrations are designed to

HMO application refused: 119 Broughshane Street, Ballymena A planning application to convert a dwelling into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Ballymena town centre was refused by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee last week. The proposal related to an end-of-terrace property at 119 Broughshane Street. A planning officer told the committee the property is two-and-a-half storeys high and currently has one on-site parking space. He said the house con

British Heart Foundation Ballymena shop manager Maureen Beattie is urging Ballymena residents to donate quality, preloved summer stock to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) shop on Ballymoney Street to help fund lifesaving research. People across Ballymena are being urged to clear out wardrobes, shelves and spare rooms this spring as the British Heart Foundation launches a fresh appeal for quality donations to help fund lifesaving research. The charity’s Ballymoney Street sho

Ballymena businessman Trevor Barr, Barr’s Butchers The owner of one of Ballymena’s long-established family businesses has paid tribute to the McKillen family following the closure of McKillens on Church Street, while also issuing a stark warning about the growing pressures facing traders across the town centre. Trevor Barr, of Barr’s Butchers on Ballymoney Street, said the closure of the well-known retailer was both personally sad and symbolic of the wider challenges now thre

Pictured with Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough, Councillor Jackson Minford are local musicians Rodney Beggs and ‘Lacey’. Ballymena is preparing to celebrate a landmark moment in its history as the town marks 400 years since the foundations of the modern settlement were established. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has now unveiled a major programme of Ballymena 400 events for 2026, with organisers promising a year of community celebration, local history, family entertain