A new town centre taskforce is being established for the borough of Mid and East Antrim, and one councillor is pushing for the inclusion of an independent regeneration expert.

At a meeting of the council’s Environment and Economy Committee on Monday evening at The Braid in Ballymena, Alderman William McCaughey of the DUP argued that bringing in a specialist with no prior ties to the area would provide valuable outside insight. He pointed to the council’s manufacturing taskforce, which he said had benefited from external expertise.

The taskforce was proposed after the Larne Business Forum urged elected representatives to address what it described as an accelerating decline across town centres in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus. In a letter to councillors, forum chair Brian McRandal listed rising costs, reduced footfall, increasing vacancies and a lack of investment as the main pressures. He said many traders felt the relationship with the council was one-sided, with business rates collected but regeneration efforts failing to keep pace.

Mr McRandal called for a credible plan that would reshape commercial centres into vibrant spaces with thriving independent businesses and reasons for people to spend more time in town.

A report to the committee outlined that the taskforce would include elected members, council officers, representatives from retail and hospitality, business organisations and town centre partnerships. Its scope would cover footfall analysis, consumer behaviour, infrastructure, accessibility, public realm improvements and investment opportunities.

A consultant is expected to be appointed to set up governance structures, and initial meetings with stakeholders have already begun. Key findings are due to be presented at a councillor workshop in August or September.

At the same meeting, DUP Councillor Peter Johnston stressed the urgency of the situation, saying time was running out in the current council mandate. He described the town centres’ condition as a crisis and an emergency, and called for immediate action.

The taskforce is intended to guide future regeneration work as the council seeks to reverse the decline in footfall and vacant premises across its three main towns.