A vacant space in Antrim town centre is set to be refurbished into an exciting new open space.

Located at 'Ulster Bar' corner, the former Wellworths building on High Street will be redeveloped as part of an extensive town centre revitalisation scheme.

This £8.1 million scheme will include the refurbishment of the first floor of the old Wellworths building into new social enterprise and business start-up office accommodation, the opening up of the back of the building to provide new business accommodation as well as the work already underway to refurbish and then extend the boardwalk along the river.

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JPM Contractors will begin work shortly on the Wellworths building.

The corner of High Street and Railway Street in Antrim known as 'Ulster Bar' corner, has lay vacant for many years and is about to come back to life as a new open community space. This new space will consist of an area for events such as urban markets, pop-up cinemas and music concerts as well as beautifully landscaped, green recreation space for the community.

These projects are supported by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Department for Communities and the Levelling Up fund.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Billy Webb commented: "Both projects will give Antrim a new lease of life. People will be encouraged to come into the town centre to shop and enjoy an event in the pop-up garden. Visiting Antrim will be a more enjoyable experience, with improved connectivity along the refurbished boardwalk to Antrim Castle Gardens from the town centre. The ripple effects will boost our local economy with this increased footfall visiting shops and enjoying a bite to eat."