Mid and East Antrim town centres to pilot ‘Street Scenes’ animation project

The creative arts project will be rolled out by the C21 Theatre Company in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena.

It will take place during two nights in each town this winter at a cost of £8,450.

The colourful project will see digital images projected onto the windows of vacant shops with the aim of encouraging footfall to town centres and “drive the night-time economy”.

C21 will be carrying out research to find buildings with sufficient windows which can be used to maximum effect. The theatre company will then bring small projectors into the buildings to project images onto as many as 25 windows.

The projections will come from recordings provided by participants.

‘Street Scenes’ have been rolled out previously in Aberdeen, Inverness, Elgin and Forres in Scotland.

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s Borough Growth Committee, TUV Councillor Matthew Armstrong said he was happy to propose the project but he asked for a lot of promotional work to be done ahead of the event which he said should be around Christmas time.

“It looks brilliant. Because it’s over three town centres, it’s worth a punt.”

He suggested the theatre company should increase its profile on Google.

Alliance Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna commented: “I think this is really innovative and very exciting. I think it is wonderful especially with the whole pandemic, something to lift our spirits.”

She said that as it takes three months to research and set up, it may not be possible to organise before Christmas.

“It is an excellent, very positive way to address empty buildings,” she added.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Peter Johnson, stressed the event should be promoted “early and often”.

Carrick Ulster Unionist Cllr Robin Stewart said he was “slightly concerned”  as he was not sure about the footfall if shops were closing at 5.00pm or 5.30pm.

“How is it bringing in footfall to help trade?” he asked.

Committee chairman TUV Cllr Timothy Gaston commented: “I imagine approaching Christmas, there would be extended hours.”

He stressed the event would need to be “organised properly so that shops would know about it in advance and open on the evenings, this would be happening”.

Ballymena DUP Cllr Audrey Wales MBE said it would have to be “properly advertised”.

“We have to send out the message our town centres are not closed and are open for business.”

Coast Road Ulster Unionist Cllr Maureen Morrow said: “I have seen this done. It can be very effective. I do not know how we are planning to do Christmas yet. Maybe it could be linked in with the Christmas switch-ons.”

She suggested it could start be held in the early evening, possibly between 3.00pm and 5.00pm.

She went on to say  she would be “very supportive” of the project .

“It needs to be given a great deal of consideration,” she noted.

Larne Lough Cllr Gregg McKeen said it may be worthwhile buying some projectors for this type of event to be held again in the future.

More on town centre promotion plans here

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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