‘Rediscover’ Mid and East Antrim’s towns says mayor as innovative scheme rolled out

That’s view of the Mayor, Councillor Peter Johnston, who has welcomed the announcement by the Department for Communities (DfC) of £10m for the Capital Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Scheme in larger towns with a further £1million coming from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to be used for smaller settlements.

The funds will be allocated to local councils in two tranches to deliver measures that will help provide a safe environment for visitors, shoppers and workers within town centres.

The announcement comes as Mid and East Antrim Council rolls out its innovative #RediscoverMEA campaign, a key strand of which is aimed at encouraging citizens to support town centre businesses by shopping and dining local.

Cllr Johnston said: “Our town centres are at the very heart of our local communities and this investment by the DfC and DAERA is well-deserved recognition of the critical role they play in driving our local economy.

“The Covid-19 lockdown period served to remind us just how greatly our town centres in Mid and East Antrim are valued and how much every shop, business and hospitality establishment located within them – no matter how large or small – contributes to our local lifestyle and visitor offering.

“In recent weeks I have witnessed first-hand the endless hours of hard work that these businesses have invested – an indeed will continue to invest – in ensuring their premises are safe and comply fully with government guidelines around operating in our new normal.

“The various enhancements that this new investment will enable will bring a timely and welcome boost to our town centres as they embark upon their post-Covid-19 recovery.”

Led by council’s Town Centre Recovery Group, the #RediscoverMEA campaign showcases the unique selling points of Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus - underpinned by a bespoke narrative and compelling imagery for each location.

The first citizen continued: “Through this campaign, we are encouraging local citizens and visitors travelling to Mid and East Antrim this summer to enjoy the amazing hospitality and warm welcome for which our borough is so renowned.

“With all appropriate measures in place, there has never been a better time to #RediscoverMEA and all our borough has to offer in terms of shopping and dining out.”

The Town Centre Recovery Group is working up a submission to the Department for Communities with the final funding total for Mid and East Antrim expected to be confirmed soon.

The group, chaired by council ehief executive Anne Donaghy, has been working in recent months on a pathway towards economic recovery, shaped by the traders and retailers within the group.

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