Empty and derelict spaces will be revitalised in Antrim and Glengormley town centres in two major projects.
Work will begin shortly in Antrim town centre to refurbish the former Wellworths building on High Street and to create an open space at ‘Ulster Bar’ corner.
The former Glengormley police station site will be re-developed and shop front facades installed along the building from Creative Tiles to the Movie House.
As part of an extensive town centre revitalisation scheme this brings empty and derelict sites in the town centre back into use and supports activities that attract more people into the towns.
This Antrim scheme which totals £8.1 million, will include the refurbishment of the first floor of the old Wellworths building into new social enterprise and business start-up office accommodation, the opening up of the back of the building to provide new business accommodation as well as the work already underway to refurbish and then extend the boardwalk along the river.
The first phase of this opening up project will commence shortly with the appointment of the construction company for the Wellworths building works, JPM Contractors.
The corner of High Street and Railway Street in Antrim known as ‘Ulster Bar’ corner, has lay vacant for many years and is about to come back to life as a new open community space.
This new space will consist of an area for events such as urban markets, pop-up cinemas and music concerts as well as landscaped, green recreation space for the community.
These projects are supported by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Department for Communities and the Levelling Up fund.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Billy Webb said people will be encouraged to come into the town centre to shop and enjoy an event in the pop-up garden.
“Visiting Antrim will be a more enjoyable experience, with improved connectivity along the refurbished boardwalk to Antrim Castle Gardens from the town centre. The ripple effects will boost our local economy with this increased footfall visiting shops and enjoying a bite to eat,” he added.
The Antrim project is one of two projects in the borough which have been awarded a total of £5.1m from the Levelling Up fund scheme.
The second project, The Glengormley Integrated Physical and Economic Regeneration project will receive £3.9 million for the development of the former police station site and shop front facades.