Support on menu at Chamber and Business Centre breakfast

Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Ballymena Business Centre recently co-hosted a breakfast on the theme ‘Business Support in Mid and East Antrim’.

The event was sponsored by Ballymena Chamber of Commerce with one of the keynote speakers being the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford, who outlined the Council’s continued support for business in the Ballymena Area.

Over 50 representatives from local businesses were in attendance to hear 5-minute inputs from a range of organisations who provide finance and support for local businesses. Presenters included, Ballymena Business Centre, Invest NI, Northern Regional College, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, The Rotary Club of Ballymena and Michelin Development Ltd. Attendees were given the opportunity to meet on a one-to-one basis with the presenters at the conclusion of the formal presentations.

Chamber’s Chief Executive, Tom Wiggins welcomed the guests and outlined the support that Ballymena Chamber of Commerce provides to local business including organising between 12-14 Business events throughout the year - which Chamber members attend for free - and giving members the opportunity to advertise their businesses through Chamber’s social media platforms. Chamber also distributes information on support such as grants, loans, and training in addition to working with partners to lobby Council and the Executive on behalf of their members.

Tom said Chamber was delighted to be working with key partners such as the Ballymena Business Centre, and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in delivering this informative event for local businesses.

Ballymena Business Centre’s Chief Executive Melanie Christie-Boyle MBE said ‘It was great to see such a range of businesses in attendance this morning. At Ballymena Business Centre our aim is to provide support and guidance to new and growing businesses with expert advice, mentoring, access to finance and workspace solutions. Events help to highlight support is available in the local area for entrepreneurs at all stages of their business journey’.

James Perry, DL MBE, reminded attendees that this year marked the 400th year that Ballymena has been in existence. James informed the audience that Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have confirmed they will be staging events to mark the anniversary and Ballymena Chamber have also confirmed that a number of events will be hosted by Chamber to celebrate this milestone.

The Business Support Breakfast has now become established as an annual event with the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Centre sharing the aims of helping nurture, support and develop business in the Ballymena Area.

This was the first business event in a very busy calendar for the Chamber with their next business Event being hosted at the Great Hall in Galgorm in partnership with Danske Bank where the subject will be ‘Understanding AI’ – a very topical subject for businesses.

For more information on The Chamber of Commerce contact Tom Wiggins: tom@ballymenachamber.co.uk

To find out more about the services provided by Ballymena Business Centre visit: www.ballymenabusiness.co.uk.