Ballymena is always open for business!

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Peter Johnston, has praised the resilience and determination of the town’s business community to reopen with enhanced safety and hygiene measures in place.

Despite facing extreme challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis – including new localised restrictions for households in Ballymena and the postcode of BT43 – traders in the town have remained steadfast in their commitment to the community, the Mayor said.

He continued: “I have witnessed first-hand the careful and considered steps that all our local businesses have taken in recent months to reopen their doors safely and in accordance with the public health guidance.

“In many cases, business owners have exceeded any requirements of them in terms of hygiene and health protection, and shoppers are also playing their part in keeping our community safe so that we can continue recovering from this unprecedented crisis.

“By working closely with Council’s Town Centre Recovery Group, every single one of our local businesses has gone above and beyond to keep our town open and welcoming for all.”

Anne Donaghy, Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, added: “Ballymena businesses continue to inspire us all by how determined they are to keep their doors open in the face of the uncertainty that Covid-19 has created, right across Northern Ireland.

“We will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with our businesses as we navigate the latest restrictions set down by the Northern Ireland Executive, so that we can protect our citizens and our economy.”

In a joint statement, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts and Ballymena Chamber President Eugene Reid continued: “Ballymena is well and truly open for business. Ballymena has some fantastic independent retailers and hospitality businesses which offer something different and distinctive to shoppers and visitors. Working with Council, traders have worked hard to prioritise the health of employees and customers and ensure that the town centre and their businesses are safe and welcoming for all visitors.

“Retail NI and Ballymena Chamber strongly encourage all in the community to adhere to the guidelines and our members will continue to do the same. We are by no means at the end of this terrible pandemic and we will be doing everything in our power to keep the vulnerable safe, as well as supporting our local businesses and moving the local economy forward.”

For the latest details about the Northern Ireland Executive restrictions, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk

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