Since its establishment in 2015, Ballymena BID has set a pioneering example as the first town in Northern Ireland to form a Business Improvement District, which is helping foster a dynamic business environment through collaborative efforts.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Alderman Beth Adger MBE discussed the council’s dedication to the partnership.

“I’m delighted that council has consistently supported Ballymena BID in its mission to enhance economic growth and community vibrancy,” she said.

“The BID model exemplifies the strength of collaboration between council and the business community, and we remain committed to fostering this partnership to drive continued economic prosperity in Ballymena.”

Ballymena BID has successfully launched and supported numerous projects in conjunction with the council, significantly impacting the town’s economic recovery and growth.

The past year has been a notable one for Ballymena, with funding secured from the Department for Communities & Council for the £687k public realm improvement works in Castle Street and Bridge Street, new planting scheme including the well-loved Ballymena Bears, three new eye-catching art installations adding a splash of colour to the High Street, the reopening of the Pop-Up Shops and the roll out of the shop front improvement scheme that saw 37 Ballymena businesses benefiting from enhancements.

‘We would be eager to see similar successes replicated in other areas across the borough, ensuring broader economic benefits and community development’

BID has celebrated various successes, including enhanced marketing efforts and events, which have contributed to increased footfall and economic activity in the town. One such project supporting the local economy is the Ballymena Gift Card, which saw sales exceed £130,000 in its first year of operations.

Notably, the BID continues to play a crucial role in the Town Centre Revitalise Steering Group, working alongside council, the Department for Communities and other town centre stakeholders to support businesses and to develop initiative projects that are instrumental in enhancing the town’s visual appeal, attracting more visitors and boosting footfall.

Councillor Lawrie Philpott, who sits on the BID Board, said: “Council values the BID model to drive investment into town centres and we would be eager to see similar successes replicated in other areas across the borough, ensuring broader economic benefits and community development. I’m excited to play a role in Ballymena BID and look forward to supporting future town centre projects.

“It was also a delight to applaud the work of the BID and its commitment to Ballymena at Council’s recent Environment and Economy Committee,” he said.

For more information about Ballymena BID and the initiatives supported by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, visit www.ballymenameans.com

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Ballymena BID maintains three further defibs in the town (at the Front Page, Wallace’s, Cameron’s) bringing the new addition to a total to four – which enormously helps the BID’s commitment to improving all aspects of life for people working, shopping and living in the town. There are a further 15 in the town, which is thought to be the most in any town in Northern Ireland.

Sinead, who owns Dunclug Spar, unexpectedly took ill in Ballymena town centre on 28^th October 2020. She collapsed with Sudden Death Syndrome, a diagnosis that can often come all-too-late for those who are not near a defibrillator when their heart stops with no warning.

Thanks to the paramedics who arrived on the scene with a portable defibrillator, Sinead’s heart was able to be shocked twice, saving her life.

During her long road to recovery, Sinead reflected on her experience and was inspired to install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at her family’s popular shop, Connolly’s Spar & Off Sales, in case anyone else found themselves in the same terrifying situation.

The fundraising efforts included a 12-hour ‘spinathon’ by family and friends, where they raised over £7.5k, which was five times what they needed to buy one unit, so they ended up purchasing a total of five to be stationed around the town.

GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION

Chair of Ballymena BID Stephen Reynolds said: “We are so very grateful to Sinead and her fundraising team for thinking of others during a personal crisis.

“Sinead and her husband are much-valued members of our local business community, and we are very grateful for this generous contribution.

“We also want to extend our thanks to Mid & East Antrim Borough Council for providing the casing and housing for the defibs, and to thank the Department for Infrastructure for allowing BID to position the defib in the very central location in the town.

“Ballymena BID is committed to raising awareness of where all the defibs are located and to maintaining their upkeep, so they will be ready and close at hand should they be needed in an emergency. We have also committed to annual training for any staff member in the town who wishes to be trained in the use of this fantastic equipment.”

‘Ballymena BID is committed to raising awareness of where all the defibs are located and to maintaining their upkeep’

Sinead said: “We were overwhelmed with support from both the Ballymena BID and indeed the local community, and we are so delighted to see this defibrillator installed right in the centre of the town, outside the old Bank of Ireland building beside the Harmony Hub, close to where my own incident happened two years ago.

“The others are located at; SureStart Playgroup, Healthy Kidz in Portadown, All-Saints Youth Club, Geraldine Donnelly School of Irish Dancing the fifth is installed outside our store and all are available to the community 24/7.

DEFIBRILLATOR LOCATIONS

“Working to make this happen has changed my outlook on the terrible incident that almost cost me my life. I can walk past these now with both pride and optimism, knowing that should anyone else suffer the same problem, help is literally at hand,” she added.

Ballymena BID is delighted with Sinead’s contribution to the health and safety of the town and proud of her courage and hard work to help other people. The organisation is keen to publicly thank her and to raise awareness of where all the defibrillators are located.

If you want to know where your closest defibrillator is located and if it is emergency ready, visit www.defibfinder.uk This is a national map of all registered defibs.

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