Three towns across Antrim have been enhanced with new bespoke outdoor seating areas.

Designed and installed by award winning Meristem Design, the semi-permanent outdoor seating can be found at Broadway in Larne, Castle Street in Carrickfergus, Springwell Square in Ballymena with Julianos Café in Ballymena receiving the first parklet of the Borough.

These outdoor seating areas were delivered by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council with funding through the Department for Communities as part of its Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "I am delighted to see the positive change being delivered through the Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme, which my Department introduced to assist our towns and city centres in their recovery. These outdoor seating areas are examples of how simple measures can breathe new life in to our shared spaces and add vibrancy to our town centres. Coming into the summer months, the seating areas will provide a place for people to meet outdoors, socialise with friends and family and support local businesses as they recover from the pandemic and navigate the cost of living crisis."

-- Advertisement --

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, commented: "As a Council we are committed to providing designated facilities that encourage citizens across the borough to get outside and realise the benefits of fresh air and exercise for both their mental and physical wellbeing.

"These bespoke seating areas and parklet are fully-accessible and provide an 'oasis of calm' in our town centres for citizens of all ages to enjoy the environment around them, whether enjoying a quiet moment in their busy day or enjoying the company of others.

"We want to encourage people back into Mid and East Antrim's town centres to spend time, to support our local businesses and ultimately to help keep our towns alive and prosperous."

Additional elements of Council's Capital Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Scheme include a Small Business Grants Scheme, a Town Centre Re-Purposing Grant, three Pop up Shops, the Shop MEA App, a series of Street Art, the provision of outdoor furniture to hospitality businesses, the installation of three living walls and town centre animation activities.