Ballymena councillor questions new town centre task force as council debate looms
- Love Ballymena
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Inset: Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott
An independent councillor has raised sharp concerns over plans to establish a new task force aimed at regenerating Mid and East Antrim’s three main town centres, warning it risks becoming a “costly talking shop” unless it delivers direct support for local businesses.
The issue is set to come before a full meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Monday evening, when DUP councillors Andrew Clarke (Coast Road) and Gregg McKeen (Larne Lough) will bring forward a motion calling for the creation of a Retail Task Force covering Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus.
Ahead of the debate, Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott said he supports genuine efforts to strengthen local town centres but believes the current proposal raises serious questions around cost, fairness and practical impact.
Specifically, Councillor Philpott questions how a proposed new task force would operate alongside Ballymena’s existing business support structure, ahead of the key council debate.
Concern over duplication and cost
Councillor Philpott warns that the proposal risks becoming another layer of bureaucracy unless it delivers practical outcomes.
He said: “While any genuine effort to improve and regenerate our town centres must be welcomed and applauded, I have serious concerns about the proposal currently being brought before council.”
His main concern, he said, is that the initiative could become “another costly talking shop”, requiring additional council funding to expand a model that is already in place elsewhere in the borough.
He added: “The key question must be: what tangible outcomes has that delivered?”
The councillor argued that Ballymena is currently performing more strongly than Larne and Carrickfergus, pointing to a number of positive developments already taking place in the town centre.
Among these, he highlighted the continued success of Fairhill Shopping Centre following major renovation works under its new ownership, the expected opening of three premises on Church Street, and recent refurbishment work completed by Barr’s Butchers.
Ballymena BID levy questions raised
A key issue raised by Councillor Philpott is how any new borough-wide taskforce would work alongside the existing Ballymena BID, which is already funded through a levy paid by town centre businesses to support and promote the local trading environment.
He said it is important to recognise the significant work already being carried out on behalf of traders and stressed that Ballymena businesses are already making a direct financial contribution towards town centre support and regeneration.
Councillor Philpott said clarity is needed to ensure those businesses are not effectively being asked to fund two separate structures with similar aims.
He said: “It is also important to acknowledge the significant work already being carried out by Ballymena BID on behalf of local businesses. Before any new taskforce is created, serious consideration must be given to how this would sit alongside the existing Ballymena BID model, which is already supported by levy-paying businesses in the town centre.”
He added: “Will the BID levy be scrapped? Will Ballymena businesses continue to pay while businesses in Larne and Carrickfergus do not? If this proposal is to cover all three towns, there must be fairness and clarity around who pays and who benefits.”
Call for direct business support
Rather than spending further public money on consultants, committees or strategic discussions, Councillor Philpott said any available funding should go directly to traders where it can make an immediate difference.
He suggested measures such as business rates relief for new and existing town centre businesses, discounted waste collection services, and reduced parking charges across council-owned car parks.
He said a £1 or £2 daily parking charge could help encourage greater footfall while remaining affordable for shoppers and workers.
He also stressed the importance of consulting those already operating in town centres before any new structure is introduced.
“Business owners themselves are best placed to tell us what support they need, and I am totally opposed to this motion proceeding without full and meaningful consultation with town centre businesses first,” he said.
Wider pressures on town centres
Councillor Philpott also pointed to the broader pressures affecting high streets across Northern Ireland, including the growing challenge from online shopping.
He said: “We must also be realistic about the wider pressures facing our town centres. Online shopping is quicker, easier and often cheaper, and that is a challenge every town is facing.”
He further expressed concern that the proposed i4C clean-tech centre could, in the years ahead, draw more businesses away from Ballymena town centre rather than encouraging investment within it.
What the motion proposes
The motion proposed by Councillor Clarke and seconded by Councillor McKeen calls for the establishment of a Retail Task Force for Mid and East Antrim Borough.
The proposed group would include elected members, council officers, representatives from local retail and hospitality sectors, business organisations, town centre partnerships and other relevant stakeholders.
Its remit would include a comprehensive review of the borough’s three town centres, focusing on:
footfall patterns and consumer behaviour
infrastructure and accessibility
public realm considerations
diversification and investment opportunities
The motion also proposes a review of existing town centre boundaries to assess whether these should be compressed or redefined to better reflect current economic activity.
This could include the creation of “Enhanced Zones” in each town centre, where targeted interventions such as public realm improvements, business support initiatives, marketing campaigns and investment incentives could be prioritised.
The taskforce would be expected to bring forward a strategic action plan setting out short, medium and long-term measures to strengthen local retail and improve town centre resilience.
The motion is expected to be debated at Monday evening’s full meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council at The Braid in Ballymena, where councillors will decide whether to move forward with the proposed Retail Task Force.
With questions already being raised around cost, duplication and how the proposal would sit alongside existing support structures such as Ballymena BID, the discussion is likely to focus on a key question facing all three towns: whether a new strategic taskforce can deliver real change on the ground, or whether businesses would be better served by direct financial support and practical measures to boost footfall and confidence in local high streets.
You can watch tonight’s meeting live online from the Council chamber at 6:30pm by tapping the button below.
At a glance
A Retail Task Force motion is due before Mid and East Antrim council on Monday
The proposal covers Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus
Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott has raised concerns ahead of the debate
He says Ballymena businesses already pay a BID levy
Concerns have been raised over duplication and fairness
He wants direct support measures for traders instead
Suggested measures include rates relief and cheaper parking
The motion seeks a strategic regeneration plan for all three towns
