£50,000 bespoke mobile stage for Larne town centre

At a meeting of the council’s Economic Growth and Tourism Committee on Monday night, councillors agreed to seek £45,000 funding from the DfC and to provide match funding of £5000 towards the facility.

The Larne Revitalise Scheme is one of a a raft of such projects being run across the Province by the Department for Communities (DfC), with the aim of cosmetically enhancing properties and funding events and marketing initiatives to stimulate town centre footfall.

The scheme directly targets commercial districts, small retailers and traders.

A report presented to councillors said that the purpose of the bespoke mobile stage funded by the scheme would be to “facilitate a wide range of town centre activities and events; to provide bespoke banners for the new street lighting columns; and enhance four walkways providing access to the town centre from neighbouring shopping and parking areas.”

The Larne scheme and a separate Revitalise scheme in Carrick must be completed by March 31 2017.

DUP Councillor Cheryl Johnston proposed the recommendation that council submit a funding application to the DfC and provide match funding.

She was seconded by Alderman Gregg McKeen. The motion passed unanimously.