Ballymena at 400: a retail town with a strong heart and bright future
Monday 29 June 2026
As Ballymena marks its 400th anniversary, it is important to celebrate both the rich history and promising future of this well-known town in Mid and East Antrim.
Over the centuries, Ballymena has grown into a thriving centre for retail, manufacturing, hospitality and entrepreneurship. It is home to successful and recognisable businesses, including Camerons, Wrightbus and Galgorm Resort, all of which contribute significantly to the local economy and community.
Family-run businesses have long been at the heart of Ballymena’s success, serving generations of loyal customers. For 140 years Barrs Butchers has provided “quality meats you can taste in every single bite”; and showed its continued commitment to the town through a major refurbishment of its Ballymena store in 2025. While some eventually reach the point of retirement or succession challenges, their legacy stays an important part of the town’s story.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon said: “Whilst it is always disappointing to hear of any business closure in our town, we are also pleased to see a number of new businesses opening. There is significant investment across the Borough, and this year alone seven new businesses have opened in Ballymena Town Centre, including several in the hospitality sector. We are also seeing fit-outs and refurbishments across the town centre, including a long-term lease secured for the former Tesco building on Church Street.”
The strong relationship between local businesses and the wider community is what makes Ballymena a wonderful place to shop, work and live. Visitors and residents alike remark on the friendliness of the town, where a smile and a greeting are never far away. Across the retail and hospitality sectors, staff take pride in delivering excellent customer service and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Ballymena also boasts a diverse range of independent retailers, including entrepreneurs pursuing their passion while offering high-quality products and services. The town benefits from two excellent shopping centres, home to major retail brands, alongside a vibrant town centre filled with local businesses.
On the periphery of the town centre a 15- hectare mixed regeneration site is being developed for the £27m Belfast Region City Deal funded i4C Innovation and CleanTech Centre. It will be a new, 5,200sqm facility in Ballymena, which will include a range of accommodation types to facilitate SME innovation activity, Grade A office and co-working office space, as well as meeting and event spaces to encourage open innovation and collaboration.
The Innovation Lab (iLAB) at i4C also forms a key part of the i4C proposal allowing for an engineering staff led and well-equipped workshop that focuses on developing products, services, training and solutions for the cleantech sector across NI. This exciting new development will attract high calibre companies, focusing on innovation and net zero sectors. The centre will boost employment in the area resulting in increased footfall to the town centres.
In addition, the Community Social Enterprise Hubs Programme, as part of the PEACEPLUS Local Action Plan, will support local social enterprises to refurbish and enhance facilities within Ballymena Town Centre, bringing people from different backgrounds and communities together.
Looking ahead, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has approved the creation of a Town Centre Task Force to support Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus. The aim is to attract investment, strengthen partnerships and support the development of vibrant, resilient town centres for future generations.
As Ballymena celebrates 400 years of history, there is much to be proud of. The town’s strong retail offering, community spirit, entrepreneurial ambition and commitment to progress ensure that Ballymena stays a place with a proud heritage, a strong heart and a bright future.