Larne dereliction issue 'long term problem' that needs to be fixed, local representatives say

Local representatives in a Co Antrim town say its dereliction issue is a "long term problem" that needs to be fixed.

Last week, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council acknowledged that a "persistent dereliction issue" has existed within Larne town centre during the past four years.

According to an audit carried out by the Council last year, a quarter of properties in Larne's town centre are vacant. Twelve buildings are either vacant or derelict and deemed unfit for occupancy, with Dunluce Street and Point Street the worst affected.

Read more: The Earth's Corr: We need mandatory derelict register to bring owners into line

Read more: Larne town centre suffering from "persistent dereliction issue", Council admits

A prominent site in the town, the former Dunnes Stores on Main Street, which is on the market for £1million, remains vacant. Approximately 50 employees lost their jobs when the branch, which was an anchor store in the town centre, closed in September 2019.

Speaking to Belfast Live during a walk around the town, Alliance MLA for the area, Danny Donnelly, said the dereliction issue needs to be resolved to drive footfall in the town, specifically mentioning the former Dunnes site.

He said: "Dereliction has been a long term problem in Larne over the last couple of years. Dunnes moved out over four years ago now, and we’ve had a huge store in the middle of Main Street that’s been derelict ever since.

“I’ve attempted to communicate with Dunnes quite a few times in that time period, unfortunately, unsuccessfully, and I would like to know what their plans are for this big building in the middle of Larne town centre.

"Having a derelict building in the middle of a town affects all businesses nearby. Businesses have lost footfall as it has dropped since Dunnes has moved on."

Acknowledging that the town centre has a vibrant business community, with an abundance of independent businesses locals are loyal to, Danny said developing this large site could bring more people back into the town centre and have them staying for longer.

He said: “I would like to see us bringing something to liven up our town centre, bringing footfall back. Whether that means bringing in some sort of health service, leisure, or an indoor market. There are multiple solutions to this, but obviously we need to progress them.

“I would appeal to anybody thinking of bringing services to the town to consider this building and I would appeal to Dunnes as the owners to engage with town centre business groups and political representatives who want to see a bright future for the town.

“People do support their independent shops, and we do have a vibrant town centre. We want that to be the future for this town.”

Elsewhere in Larne town centre, the dereliction is particularly stark on Dunluce Street, where a fence has been placed around a crumbling building that has been seemingly abandoned for the past year and a half.

Councillors said they have now approved the development of a dereliction intervention strategy, and will consult with residents to draw up a "masterplan" for revitalising Main Street, Dunluce Street, and Point Street/Lower Cross Street.

Danny said: “On Dunluce Street, we have a lot of very derelict properties. We have had issues with properties that have been fenced off for public safety reasons, affecting traffic and businesses on the street for over a year and a half now. We have serious issues there that need to be addressed.”

Vice chair of the Larne Business Forum, Mark Dobbin, has owned a property on Dunluce Street since 1988. He said the street has become the "forgotten" area of the town centre.

As for ways to resolve the issue, he said he would like Stormont to look at changing how businesses pay rates. Currently, the owners of derelict buildings do not pay rates on their empty premises, but Mark said bringing charges in could lead to less vacant properties throughout Northern Ireland.

He said: "The law needs to change as this happens in every town in Northern Ireland. Derelict buildings are being given rates relief, and the owners who keep their buildings up to standard are paying more.

"If rates changed and you have to pay more if you don't keep your building up to standard, I don't think you would see as many derelict buildings. I feel sorry for the businesses that are in Dunluce Street, I don't even know how they're still open."

Sharon McErlean at Art'a Hairdressers on Dunluce Street said they are missing out on a lot of passing trade due to the street remaining closed off as a result of dereliction.

She said: "It is diabolical looking, it's stopping people from coming up the street. We're losing a lot of passing trade, it's just terrible

"Our clients are still loyal and they're all great, we take appointments so they would come down. But we don't know just how much passing trade we're missing out on, which is a big thing for people trying to build up a clientele. It's frustrating."

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