A new designated spot for buskers to perform on the streets of Ballymena has been officially opened

Aug 20, 2021 09:30 BST

Ballymena’s new busker spot to get toestapping through the town centre

A new designated spot for buskers to perform on the streets of Ballymena hasbeen officially opened.

Shoppers, café goers and retailers alike can enjoy performances from an arrayof local artists at the new spot, clearly marked at the bottom of GreenvaleStreet.

The project, rolled out by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Ballymena

BID and the Department for Communities, aims to support local musicianspost-pandemic to re-animate our town centres following lockdown.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr William McCaughey said: “The spot isplaced at one of the towns best known areas for buskers, with streetperformers regularly found at the bottom of Greenvale Street. The newbusker spot sign, based on a guitar plectrum, is merely to make this spotmore official and to show musicians and town centre users that busking iswelcomed and encouraged here.

“It’s been great working with BID and DFC to help create a more official areafor our fantastic local musical talent or performers to breathe fresh life intoour high street as we emerge from lockdown. It’s hoped the initiative willform a community of performers who can support each other and maybe evencollaborate together.

“Fostering new talents and bringing life to our high streets across Mid andEast Antrim is so important for council and we’re excited to see - and hear –the performers and what they can add to the retail and hospitality offeringshere in Ballymena.”

There a number of performers booked to perform over the next month tolaunch the new spot, but will usually operate on a first come, first servedbasis.

Tiernan Heffron, Rebecca Hall, Dylan McIlwaine and Lorcan Falls will beentertaining the Saturday shoppers throughout the month of August.

Emma McCrea from Ballymena BID said: “We’re delighted to be supportingthis amazing initiative. Music adds additional atmosphere to the town andthe overall experience for visitors to Ballymena. We encourage musiciansfrom near and far to make use of this great location and show Ballymena yourtalent.”

The initiative is part of Midtown Sounds, a project led by Mid and East AntrimBorough Council that provides a platform for musicians in the borough, andorganisers have worked hard to ensure the programmed sessions give themthe support to remain creative.

To find out more go to W: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/midtownsounds

Notes to editors:

• For Mid and East Antrim Borough Council media enquiries E:communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

• Join Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Facebook or followus on Twitter

Contacts

Press OfficePress ContactCommunications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk 028 2563 5037

Chris KilpatrickPress ContactHead of Communicationschris.kilpatrick@midandeastantrim.gov.uk07721 302 568

Annamay McNallyPress ContactPress Officerannamay.mcnally@midandeastantrim.gov.uk07721 305 586

Claire TennysonPress ContactMedia Relations Officerclaire.tennyson@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Deborah CummingsPress ContactPress Officerdeborah.cummings@midandeastantrim.gov.uk07920 544 094

Megan MackayPress ContactPress Officermegan.mackay@midandeastantrim.gov.uk07827 802 643