Business Improvement District (BID) is an arrangement whereby businesses get together and decide;

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What improvements they want to make in the BID area

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How they will manage and deliver the improvements

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What the improvements will cost

This all goes into a business plan which is voted on by all those who would have to pay. The BID lasts for a maximum of 5 years and must be able to demonstrate how it benefits the businesses that have founded it.

The Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) was implemented in Ballymena Town Centre following a resounding successful vote by Ballymena town centre businesses.

BMENA BID GIFTCARD 5

Our Vision

The BID's vision is to create a safe, welcoming, cleaner, accessible
and distinctive location for all to shop, visit, experience and enjoy.

Key Objectives

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A coordinated programme of marketing, promotions and events

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Accessibility - car parking, better signage and improving visitor's journey

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Supporting town centre businesses

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Improving safety and security

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Improving the physical environment

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An innovation fund

Quotes from businesses

Latest News

When Pancake Tuesday, Valentines, and Half Term Collide

“Discover Ballymena: When Pancake Tuesday, Valentines, and Half Term Collide, there’s no better time to visit Ballymena!” In the heart of Northern Ireland, Ballymena beckons you to experience the delicious delights of Pancake Tuesday, Valentines, and Half Term fun. With something for everyone, the town invites you to unearth the hidden treasures within its vibrant…

Support Your Community: Shop Local in Ballymena!

Emma McCrea, Ballymena BID Manager, is on a mission to inspire everyone to embrace the power of local shopping and make use of their Ballymena Gift Card, whether they received it during the holiday season or in the past year. Ballymena has a charm like no other, offering an extraordinary range of shopping opportunities. With…

Ballymena mum of four wins Dream Christmas competition

‘Everything you need for Christmas is right here in Ballymena’: Ballymena mum of four wins Dream Christmas competition A busy Ballymena mum says it’ll be treats all round after winning a £1,000 Ballymena Gift Card to spend on making Christmas magical. Kathy Croskery, 43, scooped the top prize after entering the Win Your Dream Christmas…

Ballymena Gift Card – Corporate Gifting

Spread festive cheer to your staff and clients with a Ballymena Gift Card this Christmas. All new Click and Collect service is now available. Not only will your business be supporting the local economy of Ballymena Town Centre, but you’ll also be giving your staff, clients, and contractors the gift of Choice this Christmas. The…

Give the Gift of Choice with a Ballymena Gift Card

Give the Gift of Choice with a Ballymena Gift Card The Ballymena Gift Card makes the perfect gift for any occasion, Christmas, Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries and of course, it’s the ultimate Thank You Gift. Weather you are shopping for friends, family, colleagues or clients the Ballymena Gift Card will be a welcome treat. WHAT IS…

Ballymena Discount Day 2023

It’s the most awaited time of the year in Ballymena Town Centre – BALLYMENA DISCOUNT DAY  – Thursday 2nd November 9am-9pm  That one day when Ballymena Town Centres Businesses come together to offer visitors fabulous discounts and special deals. Save on fashion, homeware, gifting, beauty, jewellery and more. Explore the town, find your treasures, SHOP…

Summer Fun Days

Ballymena Town Centre is hosting FREE Family Fun Days, kids can enjoy outdoor games, special guest entertainers and face painting in Wellington Court on Friday 28th July and Friday 4th, 11th & 18th August from 12pm-3pm. Check out our entertainers for each Friday: Friday 28th: Mad Hatter & Alice in Wonderland Friday 4th Aug: Spider-Man…

Treat Your Teacher – WINNERS

Ballymena Bid’s treat your teacher competition.  WINNERS Today Monday 12th June the BID team had the most enjoyable day visiting 5 Primary Schools within the Ballymena District.   Six very special teachers were presented with beautiful flowers from Blossom & Birch and a Ballymena Gift Card, which they can use to treat themselves in over 100…

TREAT YOUR TEACHER COMPETITION

TREAT YOUR TEACHER COMPETITION (x5 School Staff to WIN a £100 Gift Voucher & a fabulous Bunch of Flowers). Do you have the BEST TEACHER? Ballymena BID Limited appreciate all the teachers and school staff in our local schools! Yet it’s been several years from we’ve sat in those Primary School seats, so we’d love…

Notice of AGM

Ballymena Bid Ltd. – Notice of Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held in Adair Arms, Ballymena. Wednesday 21st June at 3pm. To allow us to plan refreshments and ensure there’s a sufficient amount of seating for all, please RSVP to info@ballymenabid.com by Noon…

10 reasons to visit Ballymena This Easter

We could go on and on and give you 100 reasons to visit Ballymena this Easter, but today we asked 10 members of the public why they think people should visit Ballymena this Easter, here’s what they said: Kids Eat Free this Easter in M&S, in Fairhill Shopping Centre. Little ones can celebrate the Easter…

EASTER FUN IN BALLYMENA TOWN CENTRE

EASTER FUN IN BALLYMENA TOWN CENTRE Join us in Ballymena Town Centre this Easter! The Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) has organised a cracking range of Easter entertainment in the town centre on Friday 7th April to ensure shoppers and visitors enjoy their time in the town. The entertainment will see several Easter Characters, Face Painting,…

Ballymena BID Helps Businesses Enhance Digital Marketing Skills

Ballymena BID Helps Businesses Enhance Digital Marketing Skills Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) is celebrating the completion of a hugely successful 8-week business breakfast series designed to help inform, educate and upskill businesses on their digital marketing stills. The weekly morning workshops were delivered by Ballymena-born James Scullion, founder of multi-award-winning Rapid Agency, a creativity-led,…

Local Artist Brings Colour to Ballymena

Talented Local Artist Brings Colour to Ballymena Town Centre Monday 27 March 2023 Leanne McClelland, a talented freelance artist and designer from Ballymena, has recently been commissioned to deliver a mural in the town centre as part of the Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme. The programme is funded by the Department for Communities, Department for Agriculture, Environment and…

BALLYMENA BID GIVES HEART-FELT THANKS FOR LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT

BALLYMENA BID GIVES HEART-FELT THANKS FOR LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) has given huge thanks to a local shop owner, Sinead Connolly, who has donated a life-saving portable defibrillator to the town centre, following her own need for one a few years ago. Ballymena BID maintains three further defibs in the town (at…

Ballymena Celebrates Biggest Ever Discount Day in History

Ballymena Celebrates Biggest Ever Discount Day in History Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) is celebrating record footfall and sales figures at the recent ‘biggest ever’ Discount Day in history. The annual event saw an increase in footfall of 15.5 per cent compared to the same day last year. And the previous week enjoyed a 161…

Bloomin’ Beautiful Ballymena!

Bloomin’ Beautiful Ballymena! Local Artist & Garden Centres Transforms Face of Ballymena Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) has helped transform the town centre in unique way with the introduction of bespoke Shutter Art and new green planters across a series of businesses. The Shutter Art concept, thought to be the first of its kind in…

Monthly Artisan Market

Ballymena Monthly Artisan Market will return in Spring 2023. If you are a creator and would like to become one of Ballymena Markets Traders, please email Emma: info@ballymenameans.com    

Bloomin’ Beautiful Win for Ballymena

Northern Ireland’s top gardening talent was celebrating at the annual Translink Ulster in Bloom awards presentation on Wednesday 23rd March. Hosted at Cultra Manor, the awards event recognised the community-work carried out by gardening enthusiasts, Councils and other public bodies across Northern Ireland. Emma McCrea & Clare Moore from Bid join Mid and East Antrim…

BALLYMENA IS BOUNCING BACK FOR SPRING SHOPPING

BALLYMENA IS BOUNCING BACK FOR SPRING SHOPPING TRIPS It has been almost 12 months since businesses in Ballymena voted ‘YES’ to at the re-ballot of Northern Ireland’s first Business Improvement District (BID) and since then the town has recorded positive footfall statistics and has welcomed 8 new independent businesses. Two ladies clothing retailers Zarabella and…

Leave Only Paw Prints

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have teamed up with Ballymena Business Improvement District to encourage dog owners to take the Green Dog Walkers pledge and ‘leave only paw prints’ on our streets. As restrictions continue to ease, local businesses are enjoying a steady increase in footfall within our town centres, so it is important…

BALLYMENA IS BLOOMING WITH SUCCESS

Despite challenging trading conditions throughout 2021, Ballymena has had plenty to celebrate, and it’s been buzzing with positivity and community spirit. That optimism looks set to continue as the festive season gets underway as local businesses come together to celebrate recent successes and announce exciting future plans. This month saw the town come alive with…

BID 2 Business Breakfast

This week saw the official launch of the Ballymena Business Improvement District’s (BID’s) five-year business plan, which will see over £1M invested directly into Ballymena town centre. Almost 70 attendees, made up of local business owners, stakeholders, strategic partners and board members were welcomed by local businessman Stephen Reynolds who was re-elected Chairman of Ballymena…

Thank you from Ballymena BID

On Wednesday 31st of March, Ballymena received some great news.  Stephen Reynolds Chair of Ballymena BID and Emma McCrea Bid Manager break the news and give thanks to the the local business community for voting YES and to our business partners for their continued support.   Ballot results released by the independent scrutineer, Civica Election…

Ballymena businesses vote ‘YES’ to another five-year term for BID

The deadline has passed, the votes have all been counted, and today, the fate of Northern Ireland’s first Business Improvement District’s (BID’s) second term has been decided… And…. It’s a resounding YES! Ballymena businesses and organisations have once again voted in favour of retaining the Ballymena BID for a further 5-year term. The support for…