Town Centre Health Check publication - p2
7.0 Portglenone Commercial Centre
7.1 Maps 31-33 in Appendix A illustrate the land use surveys which were carried out by the Plan team in March 2024. They show the ground, first and second floor uses for all units within the commercial centre of Portglenone as defined in the Ballymena Area Plan 1986-2001. A small town centre boundary will be designated for Portglenone in the Local Policies Plan. Figure G below shows the number of units present for the various town centre uses in Portglenone in March 2024 and provides a comparison with the Northern Ireland average.
Figure G Portglenone Commercial Centre Composition
|
Portglenone |
Units # 2024 |
Units % 2024 |
NI % average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Convenience |
4 |
5.56 |
7.30% |
|
Comparison |
13 |
18.05 |
30.07% |
|
Retail Services |
19 |
26.39 |
13.86% |
|
Leisure Services |
21 |
29.17 |
19.81% |
|
Finance & Business |
1 |
1.39 |
8.84% |
|
Vacant |
14 |
19.44 |
20.12% |
|
TOTAL |
72 |
100.00% |
100.00% |
Source: Mid & East Antrim Borough Council & Experian, 2024
Health Check Assessment for Portglenone Commercial Centre
Description
7.2 Portglenone is located to the west of Ballymena on the western most edge of the boundary adjacent to Mid Ulster District Council, with the boundary between the two councils defined by the River Bann. At the time of the 2021 census, Portglenone had a population of 1367 within the settlement limits, making it the smallest in population size of the 5 small towns designated in the Borough, however it has by far the most retail units of all 5 small towns within its commercial centre, illustrating that Portglenone serves a large rural hinterland as well as residents living within the settlement. There is no bus or train station in Portglenone, however several buses stop in the commercial centre going to and from surrounding towns.
Overall Composition
7.3 Portglenone has a total of 72 retail units within the commercial centre at the time of the MEA council survey which is almost double the next closest unit numbers in MEA small towns. The headline figures are that like other small towns it is dominant with retail and leisure services in comparison to other uses and it has the highest number of comparison shops of all small towns and the widest diversity of type of comparison shop.
Convenience & Comparison
7.4 At the time of the MEA Council survey, there were 4 convenience units, accounting for 5.56 % of the total units. This is below the NI average of 7.30%. There is however a very large Eurospar and a fairly large Supervalu which host bakery and butchery departments within the commercial centre along with separate greengrocer and butchers. The 13 comparison goods units in the commercial centre account for 18.05% of the total units which, while below the Northern Ireland Average of 30.07%, is notably the strongest comparison percentage of all small towns in MEA, offering all the comparison uses offered in the other small towns along with clothing, Jewellry and pet supplies also.
Services
7.5 When considering services, Portglenone has a very strong offer of retail services (26.39%) almost double the NI average of 13.86%, and hosts retail services not seen in other small town in the borough such as dentists and podiatrists. While there is only 1 financial & business service in the commercial centre there are 21 leisure services (29.17%) which is well above the NI average of 19.81%. While services make up almost 60% of the retail units they don’t appear to dominate the commercial centre. There is also an element of browsing, window shopping and comparison shopping that isn’t the case in other small towns in the borough.
Vacancies
7.6 At the time of the MEA Council survey, Portglenone had 14 vacant units, resulting in a proportion of 19.44%. This is slightly lower than the Northern Ireland average of 20.18%. As Portglenone has only recently been designated a small town in retail hierarchy terms, and therefore not previously monitored in terms of town centre health check criteria, it is not possible to determine if the vacancy rate is increasing or decreasing until a further review is completed in 2 years’ time.
Retailer Representation
7.7 Portglenone commercial centre has no national multiples present.
Average Prime Rents
7.8 Recent Council analysis of commercial centre property rents online, indicated rates of £5-£8 per square foot. (propertypal.com and propertynews.com)
Accessibility
7.9 Buses stop several times daily in the commercial centre of Portglenone on route to and from surrounding towns. There is no park and ride facilities or train station in Portglenone. There are 2 council run car parks in Portglenone with a total of 72 spaces (council survey March 2023). There is a privately owned free carpark associated with Fullan’s Food Hall (Eurospar) that customers can avail of, along with approximately 100 on-street parking spaces along Main Street.
Footfall
7.10 There are no council run footfall counters in Portglenone commercial centre presently.
Physical Structure and Constraints
7.11 The Flood Map (Map 34, Appendix A) shows limited incidences of any types of flooding within the commercial core.
There are several listed buildings, 1 site/monument and 1 industrial heritage asset located in the commercial core which may have some impact upon development in their vicinity (Map 35, Appendix A)
Perception of Crime and Safety
7.12 The ‘Town Centre Database’, published by the Department of Communities does not report crime statistics for Portglenone.
Environmental Quality
7.13 Portglenone has a good standard of environmental quality with good quality footpaths in the commercial centre area. There are several semi mature trees and planters in the area of Main Street that widens out for additional carpark, which help the townscape however it is dominated with cars and parking spaces.
8.0 Whitehead Study Area
8.1 Maps 36-38 in Appendix A illustrate the land use surveys which were carried out by the Plan team in June 2024. They show the ground, first and second floor uses for all units within the study area. A new town centre boundary will be designated for Whitehead in the Local Policies Plan. Figure H below shows the number of units present for the various town centre uses in Whitehead in June 2024 and provides a comparison with the Northern Ireland average.
Figure H Whitehead Type 4 Character Area boundary Composition
|
Whitehead |
Units # 2024 |
Units % 2024 |
NI % average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Convenience |
2 |
9.52 |
7.30% |
|
Comparison |
6 |
28.57 |
30.07% |
|
Retail Services |
6 |
28.57 |
13.86% |
|
Leisure Services |
3 |
14.29 |
19.81% |
|
Finance & Business |
1 |
4.76 |
8.84% |
|
Vacant |
3 |
14.29 |
20.12% |
|
TOTAL |
21 |
100.00% |
100.00% |
Source: Mid & East Antrim Borough Council & Experian, 2024
Health Check Assessment for Whitehead Study Area
Description
8.2 Whitehead is in the south-eastern corner of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council area, lying to the north-west of Carrickfergus. At the time of the 2021 census, Whitehead had a population of 3537, making it joint largest in population size of the 5 small towns designated in the Borough along with Ahoghill. There is a bus and railway station in Whitehead in a very central location accessed via Chester Avenue. Several Trains stop in whitehead on the Larne-Belfast line daily and several buses stop in Whitehead going to and from other towns and villages nearby.
Overall Composition
8.3 Whitehead has a total of 21 retail units within the study area at the time of the MEA council survey. The headline figures are that convenience and comparison percentages are healthy compared with Northern Ireland averages. In fact, Whitehead has the highest percentage of comparison shops of the 5 small towns designated in the Borough.
Convenience & Comparison
8.4 At the time of the MEA Council survey, there were 2 convenience units within the study area, accounting for 9.52% of the total units. Although in close proximity there are 2 more convenience units. This is above the NI average of 7.30%. The 6 comparison goods units account for 28.57% of the total units which is significantly higher than the other 4 small towns in the Borough and almost at the Northern Ireland Average of 30.07%. There are 4 more comparison units in the vicinity of the study area too which is a very healthy sign in this small town. The comparison stores are a mix of uses including chemists, hardware, gifts, surf gear and art.
Services
8.5 When considering services, the Whitehead study area has a strong offering of retail services (28.57%), over double the NI average of 13.86%, and while there is only 1 financial & business type service in the study area it has 14.29% leisure services, which is lower the NI average of 19.81% however there are several other leisure uses in very close proximity to this defined study area.
Vacancies
8.6 At the time of the MEA Council survey, Whitehead had only 3 vacant units within the study area, resulting in a proportion of 14.29%. This is markedly lower than the Northern Ireland average of 20.18%. When taking account of other units in the vicinity the percentage drops to 11.11% which is the lowest vacancy rate in all towns and small towns in the Borough. As Whitehead has only recently been designated a small town, and therefore not previously monitored in terms of town centre health check criteria, it is not possible to determine if the vacancy rate is increasing or decreasing until a further review is completed in 2 years’ time.
Retailer Representation
8.7 Whitehead Study Area has 1 national multiple present, namely Gordons chemist.
Average Prime Rents
8.8 Recent Council analysis of commercial centre property rents online, did not reveal any retail property currently to let within the Whitehead Study Area, however a restaurant within the settlement limits of the small town is currently on the market £2300 per month for a 2,400 sq. ft area which equates to commercial letting of £11.50 per square foot (propertypal.com and propertynews.com)
Accessibility
8.9 Buses stop several times daily at the bus and train station in whitehead on route to and from surrounding towns and villages. There is parking for 45 vehicles at the park and ride facilities adjacent to the train station and the train stops 32 times Monday to Friday in each direction from Larne to Belfast, 31 times on a Saturday and 14 times on a Sunday. There are 4 council run carparks in Whitehead offering a total of 195 spaces along with 17 spaces at the community centre carpark on Balmoral Avenue.
Footfall
8.10 There are no council run footfall counters in Whitehead presently.
Physical Structure and Constraints
8.11 The Flood Map (Map 39 Appendix A) shows the potential for a small amount of surface water flooding within the study area. There are a number of listed buildings within and surrounding the study area in Whitehead. There are 3 industrial heritage assets located within the study area. Whitehead Conservation area completely encapsulates the study area (map 40 Appendix A). These features may impact upon development.
Perception of Crime and Safety
8.12 The ‘Town Centre Database’, published by the Department of Communities does not report crime statistics for Whitehead.
Environmental Quality
8.13 A environmental quality project in Whitehead enhanced the coastal park/promenade, an area crucial for the connectivity it offers visitors/locals between Whitehead’s main coastal attractions and the commercial heart of the town. It was envisaged that the scheme would be the first stage in a longer-term plan to improve facilities at the coastal park/promenade.
The commercial heart of the town is pleasant in terms of environmental quality and footpaths are a good standard. Occasional planters and seats along Kings Road are a welcoming feature.