Help celebrate the revitalisation of Mill Street on Saturday

The celebrations will include face painters, balloon modellers and Easter cartoon characters, alongside the unusual spectacle of farm animals.

To add to the ambiance of the event, live music will be provided at various intervals throughout the afternoon.

Traders are coming together to celebrate the recent improvement to buildings within the Revitalise Scheme Area and they want you to join them!

Thanks to the Department of Social Development, buildings within the area of Upper Mill Street, Castle Street and part of Bridge Street, were able to avail of funding to improve the frontages of their buildings.

Thirty-three businesses within the area have availed of £50,000 from DSD and additional funding received from Ballymena Borough Council of £5,556. This has given a great boost to the area, not only for shoppers to see but for businesses alike.

The improvement works which have included funding towards painting, signage, repairs to frontages, have resulted in significant improvements to individual business premises and the overall townscape.

Chair of the Revitalise Steering Group, Willie Alexander, said: “The first Revitalise Scheme on Church Street and Bridge Street was so successful, that Ballymena Town Centre Development Ltd received requests from businesses in the Mill Street and Castle Street area for the same scheme. Traders have worked hard to get this funding secured and overall it has made a great visual impact to the area.”

The Easter Event this Saturday will be a great day for all the family to enjoy and will also be an opportunity for local shoppers to get their hands on new Ballymena branded jute shopping bags.

So come down, join in the festivities and spend your day in Ballymena with the variety of local independent businesses as well as all your high street favourites.

For more info, email [email protected]