Council to Decide on Holiday Resort Status for Coleraine and Ballymoney

A proposal to designate Coleraine and Ballymoney as "holiday resorts" will be discussed at the Council's Environmental Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, 8 April 2025.

The designation, requested by supermarket chain Lidl, would allow large shops with floor space exceeding 280m² to open for longer hours on up to 18 Sundays between March and September each year, exempting them from the current restricted trading hours of 1pm to 6pm.

Public consultation on the proposal revealed divided opinions. Of the responses received, 15 individuals, a local MP, and representatives from Retail NI, USDAW, Causeway Chamber, Coleraine BID, and Ballymoney Chamber opposed the change. Only two responses supported the designation.

In surveys conducted by the Council's Town and Village Manager, 9 responses were received from Ballymoney Town Centre Forums with 78% opposed and 22% in favour, while 10 responses from Coleraine Town Team showed an even split with 50% opposed and 50% in favour.

The committee will recommend whether to proceed with the designation to the full Council.