Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has visited Larne town centre following the completion of several regeneration projects delivered with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
The Department for Communities provided £331,945 for the projects, while the council invested £35,805. The work included a pop-up park on a previously derelict site on Main Street, environmental improvements at Dunluce Street and grant support for local businesses to improve shopfronts.
Mr Lyons said the projects showed how a number of small regeneration schemes could collectively make a difference for residents, visitors and local businesses. He said the department had worked with the council to deliver initiatives aimed at enhancing the centre of Larne.
The minister said the new pop-up park had turned an unused space into an attractive community asset. He also said the Dunluce Street investment had helped improve the area's appearance and contributed to a cleaner streetscape, while acknowledging that the area continues to face challenges.
Mid and East Antrim Mayor Alderman Thomas Gordon said partnership working was essential to regeneration and investment across the borough. He said the improvements to shopfronts and the creation of a pop-up park had made the town centre more attractive and welcoming.
The shopfront improvement grants were provided under a wider Revitalisation project funded by the Department for Communities in partnership with the council. The scheme also includes animation activities and support for businesses to obtain outdoor furniture to improve the customer experience.
Applications for the latest round of Shopfront Improvement Grants close on 7 September 2026 at 4pm, subject to availability of funds.