The initiative was part of an overall investment of £485,000 in a range of revitalisation projects for Carrickfergus , Larne , and Ballymena town centres, announced in October 2023 by the Department for Communities (DfC). The Department awarded funding of over £436,000 to MEABC to deliver the scheme, with £48,500 also invested by the council. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
The shopfront improvement grant scheme saw successful applicants receive funding for 80 percent of project costs, up to a maximum grant of £5,000. While the scheme is now closed, a total of 79 businesses availed of the grant across the three town centres, with a total grant amount of £276,694.362, according to MEABC.
“Due to the success of the scheme, the council is currently exploring further funding opportunities to roll this out again in the future,” a spokesperson for the local authority added. Among the other revitalisation projects outlined last year by DfC included bringing back into use a vacant unit in each town centre. “Following a procurement process, the council took up residency in three vacant units - Joymount Carrickfergus; Main Street, Larne, and Wellington Street, Ballymena,” the council spokesperson said.
“These shops host the pop-up shop scheme and are open to community groups, constituted groups and charities to showcase their group activity. In.