Independents' Day for Ballymena shops

Ballymena business will be hoping for a star spangled response when they stage a special '˜Independents' Day' next month.
Mayor Cllr. Audrey Wales MBE with Ballymena Bear, Ronan McCann (Chamber President), Melanie Christie-Boyle (Ballymena Business Centre), Jan Young (Bank of Ireland) and Alison Moore (Ballymena BID). Image submitted.Mayor Cllr. Audrey Wales MBE with Ballymena Bear, Ronan McCann (Chamber President), Melanie Christie-Boyle (Ballymena Business Centre), Jan Young (Bank of Ireland) and Alison Moore (Ballymena BID). Image submitted.
Mayor Cllr. Audrey Wales MBE with Ballymena Bear, Ronan McCann (Chamber President), Melanie Christie-Boyle (Ballymena Business Centre), Jan Young (Bank of Ireland) and Alison Moore (Ballymena BID). Image submitted.

The local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ballymena BID and Ballymena Business Centre are joining forces to encourage residents and visitors to the town centre to support local independent retailers and businesses on July 4.

The Independents’ Day campaign, celebrates the huge contribution independent traders make to local communities and to the local economy.

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Ronan McCann, Ballymena Chamber of Commerce President said: “July 4 will see a campaign driven by the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) roll out across Northern Ireland appealing to everyone to come into town and enjoy the buzz of our High Streets.

“Ballymena is very fortunate to have not just one main street but an eclectic-mix of places to shop.”

Jan Young, Bank of Ireland UK, Ballymena Branch Manager said: “The Independents’ Day campaign is an excellent opportunity for Bank of Ireland UK to acknowledge and promote the enormous contribution Independent retailers make to the local economy.  It also serves as a timely reminder to local shoppers to ‘shop local’, to enjoy our high streets and to support the local traders in our communities.”

Alison Moore, Acting BID Manager described the initiative as ‘great news for shoppers’.

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“The fact is that if we forget our town centre and village businesses, someday some of those well-established third and fourth generation businesses we all grew up with will close, not to re-open but instead leaving behind another empty shop.”

Melanie Christie-Boyle, Chief Executive of Ballymena Business Centre said: “Ballymena has a vibrant mix of local entrepreneurs who have taken the adventurous step of starting their business. I would encourage everyone to support these people, by doing so you will help them grow their business and create much needed employment opportunities for others within the Ballymena community”