Christmas markets for Larne and Carrickfergus in £30k plan
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.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe C21 Theatre Company will project images onto the windows of vacant properties to animate the town centres.
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.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdCarrick 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.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSpeaking 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.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdLarne 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.
--
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.
Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.
You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWith a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.
Thank you.