Debate over city centre 
music

Over the past weeks the Ulster Star has been visited by people asking why the background music in Lisburn City Centre wasn’t on and on a couple of occasions to get it turned off!

We have shared these opinions with Lisburn City Centre Management who manage the system and they have received similar mixed feedback.

We now want your views does it add to your experience when you visit the city centre or is it something that puts you off?

The speakers were originally purchased and installed to play music during the Christmas period in 2011 in place of an older tannoy system that was hired each year.

Since then they have been used sparingly, playing music over the festive period and during key City Centre events. Earlier this year and after multiple requests from shop owners and the public the system was reprogrammed to play music every Saturday. Most recently it has been playing every day as workers, shoppers and residents have been enjoying the weather.

You can have your say on the music through our facebook page.

Chairman of Lisburn City Centre Management Allan Ewart commented: “Over the past couple of years the vast majority of people have been mostly positive about the music system, with of course the exception of one or two hiccups with sound levels and tracks chosen. With the music LCCM aim to help create a memorable and positive shopping experience for customers and an environment in which people want to work and socialise.

“There are many studies that demonstrate playing music in a retail setting can help create an enjoyable atmosphere in which people want to spend more time shopping, socialising and enjoying.

“However, there is a balance that needs to be found with the type of music and its volume as we are all too aware that music that is too loud, inappropriate or of poor quality can ruin a positive shopping experience. To ensure this balance is found LCCM employ a music management company that select appropriate tracks and genres of music that most people are agreeable to. The music must be a background enhancement and nothing more.”

LCCM’s current plans are that the system will play music everyday throughout July, August and the Christmas and Easter periods (Excluding Easter Sunday and Christmas Day), every Saturday throughout the year and during City Centre events. Is this not enough, just right or too much? Join the debate on Facebook...