DUP Alderman calls for fresh pair of eyes for Mid and East Antrim town centre revival

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 that is very much needed in our towns”.

Referring to the Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Taskforce, he noted that the council had previously brought in someone with extensive experience in their field to provide an external perspective.

“I would like to see a fresh pair of eyes or experience in revitalising towns, not just the same people. It is important we get someone who is independent and experienced in growing towns or cities,” he said.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council recently backed a motion calling for the establishment of a town centre taskforce following an appeal by Larne Business Forum earlier this year for elected representatives to support its proposal aimed at addressing the decline of the borough’s town centres.

Brian McRandal, chair of Larne Business Forum, called for a co-ordinated response to what he described as the “accelerating decline of town centres across Mid and East Antrim”.

In a letter to councillors, Mr McRandal said:

“Across Mid and East Antrim, our town centres face the same pressures: rising costs, reduced footfall, increasing vacancy and a lack of sustained investment. The result is visible and worrying decline.”

He continued:

“For too many traders, the relationship feels one-way: rates are collected, but meaningful regeneration and practical support are not keeping pace with the challenges they face. Despite years of engagement by business organisations, policy responses have not matched the scale of the problem.”

Mr McRandal urged the creation of a “credible, deliverable plan” that would reshape commercial centres around what people want, including vibrant streets, thriving independent businesses and stronger reasons for residents and visitors to spend time in local towns.

A report presented to the committee said the taskforce would include elected representatives, council officers, representatives from local retail and hospitality sectors, business organisations and town centre partnerships.

“The intention is that the taskforce will undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the borough’s three town centres, including footfall patterns and consumer behaviour, infrastructure, accessibility, public realm considerations and opportunities for diversification and investment,” the report stated.

A consultant is due to be appointed to help establish governance arrangements for the taskforce.

The report also indicated that meetings have already begun with external stakeholders and town centre representative groups, with key findings expected to be presented to councillors at a workshop in August or September.

Knockagh DUP Councillor Peter Johnston stressed the need for urgency.

“I think it is important that we are mindful that time is running out in this mandate,” he said.

He urged progress before the next committee meeting, warning that action could not be delayed.

“It is an emergency. We are in a crisis situation. As a council, we have to do everything we can. We need to get this into action mode as soon as we can,” he said.

The proposed taskforce is expected to play a key role in shaping future regeneration efforts across Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus as the council seeks solutions to declining footfall, vacant premises and changing consumer habits.