Mid & East Antrim
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council aims to support the growth of new and existing businesses, develop employment and skills opportunities and secure key infrastructure investment throughout Mid and East Antrim.
Council Offices
For Business support:
Information on all aspects of business support is regularly announced via their website and corporate social media channels.
Visit Website: https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Social Media:
Tourism Support
At Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, our Tourism Team is dedicated to empowering tourism and hospitality businesses through training and support initiatives. Our goal? To drive product development, facilitate business growth, encourage collaboration and bolster industry expertise.
Expect ongoing guidance and timely advice on seizing new business opportunities. We also actively run tourism marketing campaigns, attend trade and consumer shows plus offer digital marketing and website promotional opportunities (subject to contributor agreement) through our exclusive platform, Shaped by Sea and Stone, regularly working in partnership with Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland. #ShapedbySeaandStone
Looking for more sectoral insights? Dive into our Trade Support Hub at shapedbyseaandstone.com/trade-support. You can also submit tourism related offers and events directly to us for publication on the website. (Again subject to contributor agreement).
To stay updated on the latest opportunities for MEA's tourism and hospitality sector, reach out to Zoe Lindsay, our dedicated Tourism Business Engagement Officer and we will add you to our mailing list:
Email: zoe.lindsay@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Phone: +44 (0)28 2826 2379
Economic Development Support
Council offer a wide range of business, employment and skills support.
For current programmes and upcoming events please visit: Economic Development | Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
E: amplify@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
T: +44 (0) 28 2563 3363
Mid and East Antrim Business Support Portal
1. Skills Support
Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership
Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership aims to support more people into meaningful employment.
The Labour Market Partnership (LMP) is a province-wide approach developed by the Department of Communities and aims to address issues with jobs and training by combining resources and delivering a collaborative and flexible approach to employability support.
The LMP focuses on improving labour market conditions and addressing issues with employers, training providers, as well as community and voluntary organisations.
For any further information please contact the team:
E: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
T: 028 2563 3345
MEA Employment Academies
Council offer a range of employment academies designed to enable participants to attain accredited qualifications to ensure career pathway progression and access to local employment opportunities. Opportunities exist on bespoke training programmes which include, Hospitality and Tourism, Transport, Classroom Assistant, Construction, Manufacturing and Forklift.
2. Business Support – Start Up & Growth
Business Start and Enterprise Support
Go Succeed is the new go-to source for expert business advice led by Northern Ireland’s eleven local councils. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur just starting out; are looking to grow your business; or are planning to scale up our team of industry experts will provide tailored support and guidance to help you achieve your business goals. Visit here to register.
Go Succeed FREE Online Events and Masterclasses
As part of the programme, there are a number of upcoming events for businesses. If you head to: https://go-succeed.com/events/ you will find details of upcoming events!
Enterprising Women
Enterprising Women is a dedicated female network in Mid and East Antrim, that supports new and established female entrepreneurs. We want to help you to connect, grow in confidence, develop your networks and collaborate with like minded women just like you. Managed by Carrickfergus Enterprise in conjunction with Ballymena Business Centre, with funding provided by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, there are regular events and opportunities to network in a fun and interesting way. If you don’t want to miss out on future events, join today using link
Enterprising Women - Registration Form (jotform.com) A warm welcome and a cuppa awaits you at our next event!
3. Mid and East Antrim Food and Drink Network
Agri-food businesses have enjoyed practical workshops, best practice visits, mentoring support as well as visits and sessions from key industry experts through support provided by the Mid & East Antrim Food & Drink Network.
Council are keen to hear from local food and drink producers interested in becoming involved in future activities of the network.
To register your interest in the food and drink network email: Mary.OBoyle@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
To enquire about support on any of these programmes sign up via the Amplify portal.
4. Town centre Business Support
If you are a Town Centre Business and would like to receive regular updates from the Town Centre Team, please send your:
- Business Name
- Address
- Email, and
- Contact Telephone Number
Via email to: towncentres@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Additionally, if you are a new business in our Town Centre or need any support, please contact a member of the team and we would be happy to help.
Carrickfergus Monthly Artisan Market
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have been running an Outdoor Artisan Food & Craft Market with live music, in the historic Market Place, Carrickfergus since May 2021. Running from 11am-3pm on the first Saturday of every month.
Applications are welcomed from businesses in Mid & East Antrim Borough who make their own products and would be interested in selling at future speciality markets.
If you are interested please fill out this quick form here.
5. Environmental Health Support
Environmental Health are responsible for the provision of a range of services which are designed to maintain and improve the quality of the environment and to protect public health and safety. For further information and advice on setting up a new business and the requirements you may need to consider visit our website Environmental Health | Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
The following sections may be relevant to your business:
For all Environmental Health related queries please
E: MEA.envhealth@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or
T: 028 2563 3394 (Ballymena area) or 028 2826 2498 (Carrickfergus / Larne area).