£100k facelift for Larne town centre?

The Revitalisation programme, being delivered by the Department for Social Development, could see a range of work being carried out to shop fronts, including painting, cleaning, minor repairs and new signs or window graphics. Vacant units could also be boarded up and painted if necessary.

Some businesses in the town have already reaped the benefits of previous DSD regeneration schemes, including the £150,000 ReStore programme on Main Street and the £88,000 Spruce Up programme for Dunluce Street, Lower Cross Street, Bridge Street and part of Point Street.

As part of the Revitalisation scheme, 130 businesses were asked what areas they felt should be included and what type of works should be considered eligible. It has now been agreed that the area for this programme should be those parts of the town centre that did not benefit from previous schemes. While this will restrict the amount of grants available per business, it will enable a larger number of businesses to be included.

At this stage the funds are still subject to economic appraisal, but if the £100,000 is offered then the programme must be completed by 31 March, 2013. All businesses in the agreed area will be invited to submit applications for grant support.