Coleraine: Business Leaders Call For Nightlife Revival & Town Centre Living Boost

Efforts to breathe new life into Coleraine could hinge on strengthening its night-time economy and attracting more residents back into the town centre, local business owners have said.

Their views were shared with officials overseeing a £20 million regeneration programme, earmarked for the area under the UK Government’s Future Towns Fund.

At a recent engagement event, participants also suggested the funding be used to unlock the potential of Coleraine’s underused assets — both natural and architectural. The River Bann, the historic Town Hall, and the Market Yard were all highlighted as sites ripe for development.

The discussions took place at a business breakfast hosted last Tuesday at the Lodge Hotel as part of a series of consultation events organised by the Coleraine Future Town Fund (CFTF).

The Conservative government introduced the fund as part of its Levelling Up agenda, aimed at tackling the economic imbalance between major cities and smaller towns. Coleraine was added to the list of beneficiaries by then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in February 2024.

However, the future of the scheme came into doubt following Labour’s victory in the July 2024 general election. That uncertainty was resolved in October when newly appointed Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed funding would go ahead, delivering reassurance to towns on the programme.

Under the scheme, Coleraine is set to receive £20 million, distributed in annual £2 million instalments over the next ten years — a structure described by officials as “endowment-style”.

Decisions on how the money is spent will be made by a local board, which includes representatives from the business community, the public sector, community groups and elected councillors. Its inaugural meeting took place on 27 March.

The board is now undertaking a series of public consultations. Last week’s event brought together local business voices.  Future events can be found here.

A spokesperson said: “Feedback from the CFTF business breakfast event was very positive, with local business owners actively engaged in the process. Some of the emerging themes were focused on:

• Making better use of existing assets (e.g. Showgrounds, River, Town Hall, Market Yard);

• Developing a night-time economy (including arts, culture, events, restaurants and pubs);

• Getting people back into living in the town centre.”

Members of the public are being encouraged to attend upcoming events and share their views on how to shape “the future of our town.”