Town Centre Health Check publication - p5
4.0 Ahoghill Commercial Centre
4.1 Maps 16-18 in Appendix A illustrate the land use surveys which were carried out by the Plan team in March 2024.
They show the ground, first and second floor uses for all units within to commercial centre of Ahoghill as defined in the Ballymena Area Plan 1986-2001.
A small town centre boundary will be designated for Ahoghill in the Local Policies Plan.
Figure D below shows the number of units present for the various town centre uses in Ahoghill in March 2024 and provides a comparison with the Northern Ireland average.
Fig D Ahoghill Commercial Centre Composition
|
Ahoghill |
Units # 2024 |
Units % 2024 |
NI % average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Convenience |
2 |
4.88 |
7.30% |
|
Comparison |
3 |
7.32 |
30.07% |
|
Retail Services |
8 |
19.51 |
13.86% |
|
Leisure Services |
6 |
14.63 |
19.81% |
|
Finance & Business |
0 |
0 |
8.84% |
|
Vacant |
22 |
53.66 |
20.12% |
|
TOTAL |
41 |
100.00% |
100.00% |
Source: Mid & East Antrim Borough Council & Experian, 2024
Health Check Assessment for Ahoghill Commercial Centre
Description
4.2 Ahoghill is located to the west of Ballymena and to the East of Portglenone on the western side of Mid and East Antrim Borough.
At the time of the 2021 census, Ahoghill had a population of 3537, making it and Whitehead joint largest in population size of the 5 small towns designated in the Borough.
There are no bus or railway stations in the small town however Ballymena bus and railway station is located approximately 3.6 miles from Ahoghill’s commercial centre.
Overall Composition
4.3 Ahoghill has a total of 41 retail units within the commercial centre at the time of the MEA council survey.
The headline figures are that over half the total units are vacant with the majority of occupied units being either retail service or leisure service.
Convenience & Comparison
4.4 At the time of the MEA Council survey, there were 2 convenience units, accounting for 4.87% of the total units.
This is well below the NI average of 7.30%.
The lower than average percentage is due in part to 2 large spar shops outside the commercial centre, another spar shop in nearby Galgorm and the short travel distance to a number of large format supermarkets in Ballymena which dominates the convenience goods market.
The 3 comparison goods units in the commercial centre account for 7.31% of the total units which is significantly below the Northern Ireland Average of 30.07%.
Two are long established family run businesses selling furniture and hardware respectively while the third is a pharmacy catering for local chemist and pharmacy needs associated with the health centre.
Given the very close proximity to the regional shopping town of Ballymena, it may prove difficult to generate enough footfall to sustain other types of comparison shops such as clothing footwear etc in Ahoghill.
Services
4.5 When considering services, Ahoghill has a strong offer of retail services (19.51%) well above the NI average of 13.86%, and while there are no financial and business services in the commercial centre it 6 leisure services (14.63%) which is low compared with the NI average of 19.81%.
Its apparent that the overwhelming nature of the businesses in Ahoghill commercial centre are mainly supported by locals availing of personal services such as hair and beauty alongside leisure uses such as cafes and takeaways.
Vacancies
4.6 At the time of the MEA Council survey, Ahoghill had 22 vacant units, resulting in a proportion of almost 54%.
This is the highest percentage vacancy of all towns and small towns in the borough and almost 3 times the Northern Ireland average of 20.18%.
As Ahoghill has only recently been designated a small town, and therefore not previously monitored in terms of town centre health check criteria, it is not possible to determine if the vacancy rate is increasing or decreasing until a further review is completed in 2 years’ time.
Retailer Representation
4.7 Ahoghill commercial centre does not have any national multiples present.
Average Prime Rents
4.8 Recent Council analysis of the limited number of commercial centre property rents online, indicated £10 per square foot. (propertypal.com and propertynews.com)
Accessibility
4.9 Buses stop several times daily in the commercial centre of Ahoghill on route to and from surrounding towns.
There is no train or park and ride facilities in Ahoghill.
There are 55 council run car parking spaces (council survey March 2023), and no privately run carparks.
Footfall
4.10 There are no council run footfall counters in Ahoghill commercial centre presently.
Physical Structure and Constraints
4.11 The Ahoghill Flood Map (Map 19 Appendix 1) shows the potential for some river flooding (Q100cc) across the centre of the commercial core.
Similarly, there is the likelihood for surface water flooding in the commercial core.
The Ahoghill constraints map (Map 20, Appendix 1) identified 1 listed building within the commercial core which will have limited impact upon development in the area as a whole.
Perception of Crime and Safety
4.12 The ‘Town Centre Database’, published by the Department of Communities does not report crime statistics for Ahoghill.
Environmental Quality
4.13 In recent years the central island in the middle of the village was redesigned to incorporate a new Pillar clock, planters, semi-mature trees and integrated seating enclosed by ornamental railings which very much enhances the centre of the town visually.
Ahoghill generally has a good level of environmental quality with good quality pedestrian paths however the numerous vacant shuttered shopfronts detract from a feeling of vibrancy within the town.