Business group backs 24/7 gambling arcade in heart of Ballymena town centre
Ballymena's Business Improvement District supports an application to convert a vacant shop into a 24/7 amusement arcade.Summary
The Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) has submitted a letter of support for an application to convert a vacant retail unit at 41-43 Church Street into a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week coffee shop and amusement arcade. The original planning permission, granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, restricted operating hours to 9am-9pm. The applicant is now seeking to remove this condition to allow the premises to never close. In its support letter, the BID argues that a diverse evening and night-time economy is vital for the town centre's sustainability, helping it evolve with changing consumer habits. The BID also suggests that a well-managed, active, and monitored premises with lighting and CCTV could enhance public safety in the area late at night. The only initial objection to the proposal came from a nearby betting and gaming operator.
(Source：Belfast Telegraph)