To be better towns, Coleraine and Ballymoney Times readers agreed on one thing – the need for a Primark store! With comments coming in both from Ballymoney and the Bannside, it begs the question – which town should the popular retailer open up in?
More affordable homes, less litter and weeds and less charity and coffee shops were other suggestions put forward by readers. Some of the more specific suggestions included: “For me, Coleraine would be a nicer place on a Saturday if you weren't being harassed and receiving noise pollution from street preachers” and “Encourage more housing in the middle of town, i.e. shops letting out upstairs, empty premises being used for housing, etc” and “Coleraine needs more nightlife like it was in the 70s”.
Here’s some of the top suggestions...
5. Retail/Nightlife
...and the neighbours in Coleraine also agreed with Ballymoney readers that nightlife and retail are top priorities for Coleraine. "Coleraine would need clean streets . Good night time restaurants, and police in the town at night." "Don’t underestimate the business a large Primark would bring to this town! That’s why folks travel to Derry and Belfast and spend their money there!" "What we need to make it a better town is shoe shops and clothes shops; we have no choice in this town so we shop elsewhere. Bring Primark or M&S why has this has not happened?" "It would be nice if events came here. Everything always goes to Belfast or Londonderry. If Coleraine could have an event or Festival it could perhaps bring in more people to the town." Photo: NI World