Antrim and Newtownabbey: 'National food and beverage operators want high footfall locations,' town centre vacancy audit finds
The findings of a town centre vacancy study carried out by a consultant on behalf of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in Antrim, Ballyclare, Glengormley, Crumlin and Randalstown, were presented at a meeting of the Economic Development Committee on Tuesday.
Philip Stinson, strategic communications director, Turley, explained the aim was to establish the scale, nature and causes of vacancy and dereliction and identify opportunities for re-use of properties.
He indicated vacancy and dereliction of commercial properties “undermines economic viability” and “reduce investor confidence” although these can also “present significant opportunity”.
When the audit was carried out earlier this year, it showed Ballyclare had the highest vacancy rate of the borough’s town centres at 23 per cent, with 34 of 151 units unoccupied, followed by 23 vacant units of 143 in Antrim and Glengormley; 22 of 145 in Crumlin and 15 of 124 in Randalstown. The Northern Ireland average is 23 per cent.
Mr Stinson said “prime space is tight with discounters B&M, Home Bargains and The Range expanding” with “strong demand for retail park space”.
With regard to Antrim and Newtownabbey, he reported plans to redevelop the leisure and retail offering at The Junction, outside Antrim, also plans to extend retail and food and beverage offer at the Abbey Centre and partial loss of Castle Mall, in Antrim, to social housing.
He noted out of town retail is having a “significant impact on town centres” which will “continue to evolve with alternative uses”.
With regard to the food and beverage sector, he noted a “fried chicken boom”, including Popeye’s drive through at The Junction with “demand for drive-thru format” from McDonald’s, Starbucks and Greggs and Taco Bell reportedly seeking sites in Northern Ireland.
The committee was told national food and beverage operators want “high footfall locations” and there is a “lack of suitable properties for national chain operators in the town centres”.
In a survey of the public, people were asked how they use the town centre, their perceptions of the town centre and what they think about vacancy.
There were 518 responses in relation to Antrim, Ballyclare, 313; Crumlin, 213; Glengormley, 188 and Randalstown, 125. Ninety-one per cent of respondents lived in the town on which they were commenting. Most were aged between 35-64 years.
Findings showed that Antrim and Ballyclare had above average use for clothes and lifestyle shopping. Crumlin and Randalstown had the highest reliance on food and grocery town centre shopping. Crumlin had the most visitors for dining and for pubs and nightlife.
Antrim had the highest share of town centre workers, 19 per cent. Ballyclare had the most business property owners in the town, 25 per cent.
Commenting on the report, Macedon Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster queried the vacancy figures for Ballyclare. The number was also questioned by party colleague Ballyclare Cllr Vera McWilliam.
Committee chair Airport DUP Alderman Matthew Magill asked for a list of the vacant properties.
In response to a query from Macedon Alliance Cllr Billy Webb MBE about dilapidation, Mr Stinson replied: “It was not the strongest element.”
Antrim SDLP Cllr Roisin Lynch commented that Antrim could benefit from more trees and areas of greenery.
Cllr Lynch commented that the regeneration of Parkhall and Greystone Shopping Centres would also “energise” the town.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter