Christmas markets for Larne and Carrickfergus in £30k plan

A £30,000 action plan to boost trade in Larne and Carrick town centres includes two Christmas markets and animated ‘Scenes from the Street’ projection.

The action plans have  been drawn up by Larne Traders’ Forum, Larne Renovation Generation, Carrickfergus Town Centre Partnership, traders and councillors.

A music festival in Carrick last August has been credited with increasing footfall by six per cent on the same week the previous year with 11, 238 visitors with a similar event in the pipeline.

The C21 Theatre Company will project images onto the windows of vacant properties to animate the town centres.

The Mayor, Cllr Peter Johnston, on a recent visit to Larne.The Mayor, Cllr Peter Johnston, on a recent visit to Larne.
The Mayor, Cllr Peter Johnston, on a recent visit to Larne.

In the run-up to Christmas, Larne Radio will broadcast music at Main Street after a town centre PA system is installed. It is also expected that seasonal entertainment will be provided in both town centres.

Big Telly’s Creative Shops Project looks set to be continued in Carrick to bring bring the arts to vacant premises. This will be the third year of a programme of theatre and arts to develop links with local businesses and the community.

There are also plans for a “repair cafe” in Carrickfergus which would see the provision of premises to enable volunteers to repair broken or damaged items for free.

Carrick will also be hosting business networking and health and wellness events.

Kevin Wilson, vice chairman, of Carrickfergus Town Centre Partnership, said: “I think with the uncertainty of a future lockdown, then any well-organised and advertised event will be a bonus.

“We had these events last year and they were very successful and well attended. So, fingers crossed, the same will happen this year.”

The action plans were approved at a meeting of the borough council’s Borough Growth Committee on Monday evening and will depend on Covid restrictions.

Speaking at the meeting, the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, said that during his recent visits to the borough’s three town centres, one of the things that traders have mentioned were requests for an outdoor market. Read here

He asked elected members to consider provision for an outdoor market on a regular basis.

Coast Road Alliance Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna commented: “It is great to see this list of initiatives and schemes coming into Larne.”

Larne Lough DUP Cllr Gregg McKeen said: “Retailers do need our help and opportunities to get people into the town centre to spend locally.”

Larne Lough Ulster Unionist Cllr Keith Turner stated: “If we are going to put things in, we have to put them in for the long term. They have to be sustainable.

“We need to take a hard long look at how town centres will be functioning in the future. I can’t see how town centres in their present guise will be sustainable.

“This Christmas will be a catalyst for many small businesses and if they can’t get through this Christmas, the future will be very bleak for them.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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