Ballymena

This group consults with the DRD Road Services to improve access to the Town Centre for pedestrians, the disabled, public transport, private and commercial vehicles. Membership of this group enables Chamber to influence decisions, which are important to members in the Town Centre.

The aim of the Business Awards is simple: to recognise and reward the success, achievement and excellence of Ballymena Businesses. They have become an excellent vehicle to enhance the image and reputation of Ballymena and its businesses. First held in 2003, the Gala Evening is now an important date in the Ballymena Calendar. The awards have also helped to increase both the profile and membership of the Chamber.

This group has been formed to create a link between Ballymena Businesses and Education to assist in the development of young people. As a member the Chamber can influence programmes organised by the group to help meet the requirements of members.

This body consists of community and business representatives. Regular meetings are held with senior PSNI officers to identify and resolve problems. The Chamber plays a prominent role in this partnership.

Headed by Ballymena Borough Council this group seeks to assist to kick start business initiatives for SME's through either grants or professional advice. The group also considers long and medium term business objectives. Chamber has been a founder member since 1993, and has played a major role using professional and commercial influence in business support.

This project is a UK-EU funding initiative with a remit to fund cross community projects on a sustainable basis over a 3-year period. Chamber's involvement over many years has earned Chamber credit and respect throughout the entire community. It has also helped enhance Chamber's reputation with Ballymena Borough Council

This project has been ongoing since 1998. The chamber was the lead organisation at its inception, with many hundreds of hours being spent on a feasibility study and the preparation of the bid documents. The number of cameras has been increased since its launch, and there are plans for further expansion. The continued involvement of Chamber is vital to ensure that the voice of the Business Community is heard in relation to these future expansion plans

Communities will only be safe when we all actively engage in a process of understanding crime and its causes and sharing ideas across communities is one of the best ways we can increase that understanding. Chamber is committed to exploring how we can all work together in the future.

The Chamber acts in a solely advisory capacity to this Group. By establishing partnerships various elements of opinion can come together to benefit from each others existences and work towards mutual objectives for the benefit of the community. The Chamber provides professional and business advice to local communities.

As a board member, Chamber gains an insight into the running of NI Chamber and other regional Chambers. Information is gained about trade delegations, inward investment meetings and cross border events. It raises the profile of Ballymena Chamber and provides an excellent networking opportunity.

The Chamber founded radio Link in 1999. Initially there were eight Members. The objective was to provide a two way radio system in retail and business premises throughout Ballymena to use as an early warning system re shop lifting gangs, forged bank notes/cheques/credit cards, anti social behaviour and any other incident which affects anyone working, visiting or socialising in Ballymena. Radio Link currently has a membership of almost 150, and a full time Manager is now employed to administer the scheme. Whilst similar schemes in other towns have struggled for membership and success, the Radio Link scheme in Ballymena is now the benchmark for Northern Ireland and remains a Chamber Project. Radio Link and CCTV form a vital partnership in the fight against crime in Ballymena.

The Chamber were approached by Ballymena Access Group in 1999 and asked to assist in setting up a Shopmobility group in Ballymena. Similar schemes operated in other towns in NI. A feasibility study was undertaken, and in February 2001 Chamber helped launch Shopmobility Ballymena. The aims of the scheme are to provide scooters and powered and manual wheelchairs for people whose mobility is restricted either permanently or temporarily by age, illness or accident. The local group was originally chaired by Chamber. It has now been granted charitable status, is a limited company and continues to grow from strength to strength.

Ballymena is twinned with Morehead , Kentucky and is currently developing a link with Gibraltar . This partnership seeks to enhance the social, cultural and economic life of the Borough through these connections. It is vital that Chamber is represented, to foresee any business opportunities that may arise.

This partnership deals with all aspects relating to the Town Centre, whether they are problems or new initiatives. It is subdivided into different groups and Chamber is represented on them all. The promotion of Ballymena, special events, Christmas advertising, the presentation and appearance of the town and Christmas lighting are just some of the areas in which Chamber has an input through this Partnership.

This was a project to produce a town centre map. The map was produced at no cost to the Chamber and is now available through many locations for the use of tourists and visitors. It helps promote the town as a vibrant business centre.

This is a competition to encourage Town Centre businesses to make a special effort with their Christmas Window Displays. It started as a fun project, however many businesses now take it very seriously. It adds to the festive atmosphere in the Town Centre.