Deadline approaching to apply for up to £30k town centre revamp grant

Applications for a grant to support repurposing of vacant town centre commercial properties in Mid and East Antrim will remain open for another three weeks – with a final deadline of Friday 10 December 2021 at 4pm.

There has been significant interest in the Town Centre Property Repurposing Pilot Grant Scheme, open to projects based in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne, and managed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in collaboration with the Department for Communities (DfC).

Among those who have been successful in securing the first tranche of funding are Ballymena’s Lynn and Brewster, whose Director, Charles Lynn, explains how they plan to use the grant.

“The grant will help regenerate our property on Church Street, ultimately allowing us to relocate the firm into the main retail area of Ballymena’s town centre.

“We are confident this investment will help drive further businesses to the area, helping increase footfall in the town.”

Mike McNeill, Director of Scrabo Properties, encouraged other businesses to apply, after successfully securing the grant to convert the vacant first floor of a building in Carrickfergus.

“Our proposed project will create apartments at 3D Market Place in the centre of town, allowing us to complete the wider investment of the Townscape Heritage Initiative-funded site.

“I would strongly encourage anyone interested to apply and avail of the scheme.”

In order to apply to the Pilot Grant Scheme, total costs must be in excess of £10,000, with applicants contributing at least 50% match funding towards the project.

Whilst there is no maximum total project cost, the scheme will provide funding up to a maximum of £30,000 per project.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor William McCaughey, encouraged business and property owners to avail of this funding opportunity and to make an application before the closing date of Friday, 10 December.

“The Town Centre Property Scheme saw a successful first tranche and we want to continue to support the repurposing of vacant units and enable the regeneration of our town centres.

“Council’s vision is that by focusing on regeneration initiatives such as this, we will ultimately help boost footfall in our town centres.

“I would urge the owners or leaseholders of vacant properties within town centre boundaries to check their eligibility for this scheme and to apply before the closing date of 10 December 2021.”

For further information on the scheme, contact Connor O’Dornan, Strategic Projects Officer, via: invest@midandeastantrim.gov.uk. Guidance notes and application forms are available via the online grant portal: https://mea.eformz.info