Looking back... Larne may go it alone

It was announced in April 1980 that Larne may have to sell itself to Europe and the United States in the hope of attracting industry to the region.

Following a number of meetings with local trade unionists, the Mayor of Larne, Ald Roy Beggs said he felt action, independent of Government Development Agencies, was needed to try and attract industry to Larne and the surrounding area in a bid to stop any further rise in the local unemployment rate.

The council had been asked to discuss the possibility of establishing a body to promote the Larne area abroad and this was understood to consist of industrialists, economists and representatives from organisations such as the Junior Chamber.