New location backed for Ballymena Saturday Market

Elected Members have approved the relocation of Ballymena Saturday Market from the Seven Towers Leisure Centre to Ballymoney Road car park.

The Ballymena Weekly Market has been operating in the town for many years.

Four sites were explored throughout Ballymena with the Ballymoney Road location being the most suitable to accommodate traders and customers.

Alderman Audrey Wales MBE proposed the recommendations and it was seconded by Councillor William McCaughey.

Alderman Wales, said: “This is a new beginning for Ballymena’s Saturday Market.

“It signals a new future and a move that will ensure the future sustainability of the market within the context of promoting the town centre and its economic recovery plan.

“As restrictions begin to lift we will start to see people return to the town centres and we want to do everything in order to support our traders in this new normal.

“Council recognises the importance of the Saturday market and this new location will allow accessibility for more traders and customers.

“The aim is to benefit visitors, shoppers, and traders and ultimately help breathe new life into Ballymena Saturday Market.”

It was decided that the location, close to the town centre, which is one of the main arterial routes into Ballymena would attract more people and it is also within close proximity to the bus and railway stations.

The date of the move for the market from the Seven Towers Leisure Centre to the Ballymoney Road Car Park will be announced in due course.