Ballymena Business Centre

05/09/2026

Huge congratulations to Ballymena Business Centre Town Team on being selected as a Finalist in the Retail NI High Street Heroes Awards. A fantastic achievement where the public vote recognised the dedication, hard work and commitment by our Midtown Makers Team supporting Ballymena. Wishing everyone the very best, we are looking forward to a brilliant awards evening.

Love Ballymena
Ballymena Guardian Newspaper
Ballymena & Antrim Times
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Retail NI
Enterprise NI
Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Ballymena Rotary Club
The Gallaher Trust
Ballymena Means

25/08/2026

Celebrating Ballymena

As Ballymena celebrates this incredible 400 year milestone, Ballymena Business Centre would like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful Team for their continued commitment to our community, supporting local businesses, serving the people of Ballymena and warmly welcoming visitors to our town.

We marked the birthday celebration with a lovely meal in Ballymena PizzaParlour and Ice Cream in Juliano's, followed by attendance at the Civic Thanksgiving Service in Patrick’s Church of Ireland and to conclude a wonderful day a fantastic Fireworks display in The People’s Park.

It is an honour to be part of Ballymena’s story and we look forward to supporting our town and community for many years to come.

🎂 Happy 400th Birthday, Ballymena! 🎂

Love Ballymena
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Ballymena Guardian Newspaper
Ballymena & Antrim Times

24/08/2026

Make sure to pop into Midtown Makers and join the Birthday Party fun as we celebrate Ballymena 400 🥳🥳🥳

Midtown Makers are getting creative for Ballymena’s big birthday! 🎨🎉

are organising a Ballymena 400 Birthday Bonanza! Pop into Midtown Makers on Tuesday 25th August and join in the Ballymena 400 celebrations! 🎂

🎨 Make Ballymena a Birthday Card – pop in and create your very own birthday card for Ballymena. The cards will be displayed at the front of the shop, with social media followers voting for their favourite. The winner will receive a Ballymena Gift Card! 🎁

🔎 Find the Ballymena 400 Mug hidden in the window! Find it and enter the draw for your chance to win the mug.

🛍️ Birthday Goody Bags – 10 goody bags are available for customers spending over £20, featuring sweet treats and Miriam’s Wish samples.

The Ballymena BID team will also be out and about throughout the town centre with birthday goodies and spot prizes for visitors, so keep an eye out as you explore.

It’s the perfect opportunity to rediscover the town. Browse the end-of-season sales, enjoy something tasty, revisit an old favourite or pop into a business you’ve never been inside before. You might just discover a new Ballymena favourite along the way.

24/08/2026

Join Ballymena’s BIG Birthday Party. A community day of Fun, Fellowship and Fireworks 🥳🙏🎉

19/08/2026

Did you know business organisations can become Corporate Members of Rotary?

For Ballymena Business Centre, Corporate Membership of Ballymena Rotary Club is a fantastic way to give back to our local community, support staff development and demonstrate our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

As a Corporate Member, we support Rotary and its work with local charities and community initiatives. Through our town centre property, we provide a permanent exhibition space that helps the club raise awareness of its activities and the important work of the charities it supports.

We also believe in putting our support into action. Ballymena Business Centre sponsors a range of Rotary initiatives, including the Post Primary Schools Technology Challenge, Community Grant Competition and Charity Golf Day. At our business networking events, we also promote Rotary’s inspiring motto, “Service Above Self,” encouraging local businesses to think about how they can make a positive difference within our community.

Corporate Membership is about more than simply supporting an organisation. It provides an opportunity for businesses and their staff to get involved, develop new skills and build relationships.
Above all, for Ballymena Business Centre, it is about giving back to the community we are part of. We believe that when local businesses, community organisations and volunteers work together, we can make Ballymena an even better place to live, work and do business.

Service Above Self is a simple motto with a powerful message, and one we are delighted to support.

Ballymena Business Centre Chairperson James Perry MBE DL, Vice Chairperson Audrey Wales MBE, Chief Executive Melanie Christie-Boyle MBE and Rotary Ambassador Jim Stevenson hosted a special welcome visit for Ballymena Rotary Club President Chris Wales, District Governor George Roche and wife Maeve, Vice President Kim Devlin-Neil and Rotary Friends.

Ballymena Rotary Club
Rotary International
Love Ballymena
Ballymena Guardian Newspaper
Ballymena & Antrim Times
Enterprise NI

18/08/2026

A Day of Fun, Fellowship and Fireworks

Ballymena is preparing to mark a remarkable milestone as the town celebrates its 400th birthday on Tuesday 25th August 2026 with a full day of family entertainment, fellowship and spectacular firework celebrations.

The festivities begin at 10.30am in the town centre, with families invited to enjoy storytelling, circus performers, puppet shows and much more.

At 7.30pm in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Ballymena, a special Civic Service will be held, providing an opportunity for everyone to come together in fellowship and reflection.

The service will feature the Parish Choir, Seven Towers Male Voice Choir, and a sermon from the Most Rev John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, alongside civic and community representatives from across the borough.

The celebrations will then continue at The People’s Park from 8.30pm, with family entertainment and music leading up to a spectacular fireworks display at 9.30pm.

All events are free, and open for everyone to attend, bring your family, friends, work colleagues and community group. Join us as we make memories, be part of history, celebrate our heritage and look forward to Ballymena's future.

To confirm your attendance at the Civic Event to be held in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland simply email number attending to [email protected]

Come along, join the celebrations and help Ballymena mark 400 years in memorable style.

Love Ballymena
Ballymena Guardian Newspaper
Ballymena & Antrim Times
Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Ballymena Means
Ballymena South Community Cluster
Bann Maine West Cluster

16/08/2026

Celebrating Ballymena’s Business Community

A heartfelt thank you to Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a wonderful Annual BBQ held at Galgorm Resort & Spa, celebrating Ballymena’s 400th Anniversary. Ballymena Business Centre has for many years supported our local Chamber, including sponsoring Best Social Enterprise at the Gala Awards Dinner in Tullyglass Hotel. Our partnership also includes hosting the Annual Business Support event held each year in January, providing free Year 1 Chamber Membership for Ballymena start-ups, and volunteering our time together to support Town Centre Regeneration and the Local Economic Partnership. With a record number of over 400 attendees set to gather at the forthcoming Gala Business Awards to celebrate local business achievements, Ballymena Chamber is one of Northern Ireland’s fastest growing Chamber networks, promoting Ballymena as a great place to start, grow and excel in business.

Love Ballymena
Enterprise NI
Ballymena Guardian Newspaper
Ballymena & Antrim Times
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Invest Northern Ireland

16/08/2026

Want to find out about Funding and Finance?

If your start-up or existing business is considering accessing funding, needs advice on preparing a strong application or funding guidance call by for a coffee and chat with NI Small Business Loan Fund representative on Thursday 20th August 2026 between 10am and 4pm at Ballymena Business Centre, 62 Fenaghy Road, Galgorm, Ballymena, BT42 1FL. This drop in event is hosted by Ballymena Business Centre in partnership with the NI Small Business Loan Fund.

11/08/2026

Midtown Makers Gift Shop Needs Your Vote…
Click link below, select Best Generalist Retailer and type Midtown Makers Gift Shop
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/HSH

Retail NI Ballymena Means Enterprise NI Love Ballymena
https://fb.watch/IWRMGxDViV/

Voting is now officially open for the Retail NI High Street Heroes 2026 awards, and they are inviting customers across Northern Ireland to help spread the word. No judges. No panels. Just the public's vote.
At High Street Heroes, the winners are chosen entirely through an open online public vote because no one knows great local businesses better than the customers who support them every day. This year's awards feature 15 exciting categories, recognising the outstanding independent retailers and high streets that make Northern Ireland's towns and villages so special.
Cast Your Vote
Voting is now open, and we'd love your support.
Midtown Makers Gift Shop falls under the Generalist Retailer, so please fill in our name in this category to vote for us.

Cast your vote today:
🔗 https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/HSH

Deadline for votes is the end of August.

As Northern Ireland's largest celebration of independent retail, High Street Heroes shines a spotlight on the businesses that deliver exceptional customer service, strengthen local communities and play a vital role in our economy. From family-run shops to the high streets at the heart of our communities, now is the time to recognise the businesses and people who make a difference every day.