Press release -

Thank you for shopping local at Christmas

Following what has been a very difficult couple of years for businesses, shops across Mid and East Antrim have reported having one of their best festive shopping periods to date.

With efforts from the Town Centre Recovery Group and marketing campaigns from Council, Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) and the shopping centres it was a successful Christmas for all.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor William McCaughey said: “It is evident from the positive response from traders that people have stayed local, shopped local and supported the businesses on their doorstep.

“We have a great range of independent stores and businesses across Mid and East Antrim and it is very encouraging to hear that they were so well supported during Christmas.

“In what has been an incredibly difficult year it is promising to see that residents have supported local economy, local jobs and local families.”

Manager of Ballymena BID, Emma McCrea, added: “We strongly believe this success stories we are hearing in Ballymena is partly due to all key parties working together for the betterment of the town centre.

“Shopping Centre managers, Ballymena BID, Independent Retail representatives and Council continuously communicate and work together, we listen to businesses and customers and combine or expertise and budgets.”

The Mayor on his Christmas visits to the town centre businesses in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne also received very positive feedback on the success of the High Street Voucher campaign and reports of strong sales figures.

The Mayor, concluded: “I would continue to encourage our residents to shop local whilst putting our three town centres on the map to attract those from further afield.”

Shoppers can also now benefit from the use of the ShopMEA app.

You can download it from the App Store and Google Play Store today, or find out more over at http://onelink.to/shopmea

With this app you will have access to the best and most exclusive deals, rewards and events right in the palm of your hand, with a large network of local retailers and service providers from our three town centres of Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne, already on board.


Topics

  • Politics, general

Regions

  • Northern Ireland

Notes to editors:

Contacts

Chris Kilpatrick

Press contact Head of Communications

Deborah Cummings

Press contact Press Officer

Aisling Maguire

Press contact Press Officer