Ballymena people get behind City Status bid

On the streets of Ballymena it was clear that there was a feeling among locals that this city status is long overdue.

Cliff and Anne McMullan said that Ballymena's unique shopping sets it apart from other towns in Northern Ireland.

Cliff said: "Ballymena is a great shopping town, there's plenty of space for shopping and a wide range of shops always able to bag a bargain in Ballymena.

"People come from all over the country to visit for the shops and the friendly atmosphere."

Danny Joyce who works in the town said: "I think it's a good idea, when you think that Newry is classed as a city then Ballymena should be as well."

However Anne Bacon and Agnes Montgomery argued that there are more pressing matters for the council to sort out before applying for city status.

Agnes said: "Parts of Ballymena need tidying up and they should get these sorts of things in order before they try and become a city. If Ballymena was improved then maybe they would have a better chance of becoming a city anyway."

Barney McCrory said that it was 'about time' Ballymena was officially made a city, he said: "This application can't come soon enough. Ballymena has always been known as the city of the seven towers and it's time it became official. Lisburn is classed as a city and Ballymena is bigger and better."

Taking time out from the Spark Team event to speak the Times, Steven Balmer backed the idea, he said: "If Ballymena officially became a city then I have no doubt that it would benefit the town in a number of ways. There would be more tourists and it might even attract more jobs, it would certainly not be a bad thing."