Mid and East Antrim businesses embrace TikTok training as footfall declines

Wellington Street, Ballymena

A TikTok masterclass has been held for Mid and East Antrim businesses, councillors have been told.

A report presented to a meeting of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee, at The Braid, in Ballymena, on Monday evening, indicated that 30 participants attended an online session.

Knockagh Ulster Unionist councillor Alderman Andrew Wilson described TikTok, a social media video platform, as “a critical medium for businesses and retailers”.

The committee was also given an update on town centre footfall which was described as “challenging”.

Statistics showed that footfall had decreased in Mid and East Antrim’s three towns during February. The number of visitors to Larne town centre saw the biggest drop by 10.4 per cent compared to February 2024. In Carrickfergus, the decrease was 5.3 per cent and Ballymena, 4.2 per cent. By comparison, the Northern Ireland average had increased by 0.2 per cent for the same period.

Councillors were also informed that the second artisan market to be held in Carrickfergus this year took place in March in the town hall with footfall reported to be “steady”.

A third market took place earlier this month.

Meanwhile, 77 businesses have been successful in attracting funding for shop front improvements. Of the 25 which have completed the project, 14 claims have been received and 10 have been paid, to date.

Surveys of businesses and shoppers are to be carried out in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena further to projects funded by Department for Communities (DfC). As part of the DfC Revitalise Fund, marketing campaigns are taking place to promote hospitality and retail in Mid and East Antrim’s town centres.

The council is also reportedly considering making a funding application to DfC for CCTV in the borough’s three towns.