Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne high streets boosted by £350k investment

Minister Lyons is pictured with Nicola Keating, owner of Activefeet Podiatry Clinic in Carrickfergus and Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Cllr Jackson Minford

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the completion of a £350,000 regeneration programme aimed at revitalising town centres in Ballymena, Carrickfergus, and Larne.

Funded jointly by the Department for Communities and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC), the Revitalising our Town Centres initiative has seen over 77 businesses upgrade their shopfronts, significantly improving the visual appeal of high streets and enhancing the experience for residents and visitors alike.

During a recent visit to Carrickfergus, Minister Lyons praised the impact of the scheme, stating:

“It’s great to see the completion of this £350,000 investment across the towns of Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena. With improved shopfronts and marketing support, we are enhancing the look of our high streets and encouraging people to visit and enjoy our welcoming town centres.

“The shopfront improvements are making a positive impact across our local towns, and I am pleased that my Department has been able to support this vital boost to local businesses for the benefit of everyone.”

Supporting local business through visual improvements

Managed by MEABC, the scheme’s core aim was to enhance the appearance of town centre premises, with funding supporting cosmetic improvements such as painting, new signage, and heritage-sensitive restorations.

Beyond physical upgrades, marketing support was also provided to promote the three towns involved.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, emphasised the programme’s long-term benefits:

“Supporting our local businesses is at the heart of what we do and through this scheme, we’ve been able to partner with traders to make real improvements to our town centres.

“These enhancements not only improve the look and feel of our high streets, but they also contribute to creating a more vibrant and economically resilient Borough.”

Local businesses feel the benefit

One of the beneficiaries, Nicola Keating, owner of Activefeet Podiatry in Carrickfergus, shared her positive experience with the scheme:

“We’re absolutely delighted with the transformation of our second branch of Activefeet Podiatry Clinic in Carrickfergus—our new signage, windows, and freshly painted exterior have really lifted the look of the clinic.

“A huge thank you to the council team for their friendly support and guidance throughout the whole process.”

The revitalisation scheme is the latest in a series of collaborative efforts between central government and local councils to support small businesses, stimulate footfall, and build community pride across Northern Ireland.

As town centres continue to face economic challenges and shifts in consumer habits, initiatives like this provide crucial support, helping high streets remain viable, attractive, and welcoming spaces.