‘BID’ to host Bank Holiday Weekend events in town

"Awesome August" will start in the town on Thursday with summer music being played by local musicians at locations including The Bandstand, Church Street, and Greenvale Street.Editorial Image.

The Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) will be hosting a series of events between

Thursday and Monday, August 27-31.

Billed as “Awesome August”, the weekend with get underway with “Summer Tunes” played throughout the town by The Music Rooms and Ballymena School of Music on Thursday from 5-7pm.

The following day, “Friday Feast” will focus on special offers from cafes and restaurants which will include 20% off daytime specials, free tea/coffee offers and special kids lunch deals.

Saturday will be a day of “Family Fun” offering face painting, sports activities, arts, crafts, badge making, and walk-about characters.

Events will conclude on Monday with summer sales and special offers provided by a variety of traders in the town. These events will take place in Wellington Court and face painting and balloon modelling will be back at the bandstand!

The new Business Improvement District (BID), funded and run by its members, was officially launched earlier this summer and is expected to breathe new life into the town centre over the next five years.

It has already launched the new “Mi Ballymena” app and social media platform that helps local businesses market and advertise to local consumers.

The BID also organised the Super Summer Circus events on July 18 and 25.

Terry Robb, Chair of Ballymena BID Limited said: “It was great to see so many families at our July events. We are delighted to report that footfall rose 9.6% and many people who responded to our survey came into town specifically for the events.

“The August events will also be a huge draw and we hope that they will be well supported as the BID begin to explore early evening economy opportunities in Ballymena town centre.”