Green light for coffee shop and amusement arcade in Ballymena town centre

Preparations are continuing to get the premises in Ballymena town centre ready for the new coffee shop and amusement arcade.

Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the change of use of a retail unit into a coffee shop and amusement arcade in Ballymena town centre.

The proposal relates to a vacant retail premises at 41–43 Church Street, which planning documents say has stood empty for several years after accommodating a number of different retail businesses.

According to a council planning officer’s report, the development will “enhance the building to include new shop fronts and windows, and re-painting of the building”.

Planning officers concluded that the proposal would be compatible with the surrounding area.

“The proposal would be compatible with local character and would be an appropriate land use for this town centre location,” the report said.

The report added that the development would “return a vacant unit within Ballymena town centre to use”.

“The existing building is located at 41–43 Church Street, a town centre building that has gone into disrepair and is in need of revitalisation,” it continued.

Proposed floor plan for the new coffee shop and arcade, including three snooker tables.

In a supporting planning statement, the applicant said larger retail units in town centres are becoming increasingly difficult to attract tenants to because of rental and business rate costs. It argued that introducing a coffee shop alongside an amusement arcade would provide a complementary leisure offering in a town centre location while increasing the diversity of uses in Ballymena’s retail core.

The planning statement also said the refurbishment would include new shopfronts, replacement windows, new signage and a full external repaint. It added that the development could create up to 10 full-time and part-time jobs.

One objection was submitted by Toals Bookmakers, which argued that no alternative sites had been considered, that there was “insufficient detail” regarding environmental impacts, and that no information had been provided about proposed signage.

The objector also claimed the development could “erode retail dominance at ground floor level onto Church Street”.

However, planning officers said a retail impact assessment was not required.

“A retail impact assessment was not required; therefore, there is no requirement to demonstrate that there are no suitable alternative sites within the primary retail core or town centre for the proposed use,” the report stated.

Officers also concluded that the proposed development “accords with the local development plan without compromising retail function”.

The council’s planning department recommended that permission be granted, and planning approval was subsequently issued.

Planning conditions require the premises to operate only between 9am and 9pm, Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 9pm on Sundays.

A further condition prohibits the playing of amplified music “to ensure that nearby occupiers suffer no loss of amenity”.