Business hub to be called 'Space Antrim' as new plans are lodged for old bank building

THE business hub in the old Wellworths building in Antrim town centre is to be named Space Antrim.

Antrim Enterprise is poised to take up the management of the new 16,000sq ft state-of-the-art office suites, which they say are ‘dedicated to creating the ideal working environment for start-ups, growing businesses, and freelancers’.

A statement from Antrim Chamber of Commerce, of which the Antrim Enterprise is a member, said: “Offering a variety of flexible arrangements from long-term dedicated offices, event space and meeting rooms to hot-desks and soundproof pods, Space is a fully serviced office suite that supports the needs of a modern, dynamic business.

“The Chamber is confident that this will bring new investment to the area. Not just helping local businesses to grow but supporting high skilled businesses to start up in Antrim and more importantly, helping to support the vitality of the town centre and encourage new retail, services and hospitality experiences.”

Chamber members are set to get a sneak peek at the new facilities next week, ahead of the official opening.

Initial publicity had said that the facility, which was backed with Levelling Up funding from the previous Conservative Government, would open in early 2024.

Back in October, Antrim councillors got a tour of the new workspace, which is based in the former Wellworths building on Antrim’s High Street.

They were joined by Jennifer McWilliams of Antrim Enterprise Agency, and were met onsite for a tour by the Council’s Deputy Director of Regeneration Steven Norris, who explained that work on the Workplace Hub was well underway ahead of an ‘early 2024’ launch.

The Antrim Guardian also got a look at the site, a 16,000 sqft facility, which is part-financed by £1.2m funding from the UK Levelling Up Fund.

In November, a press release issued by the council said: “It is anticipated that the new space will be complete by March 2024.”

Lead on the project is Muckamore-based family firm Karl Group, while Antrim Enterprise Agency will operate the new workspace on behalf of the council.

The new workspace will support start-up and grow-on businesses, transforming the vacant building into ‘an entrepreneurial hub in the heart of the town centre’.

The council said that the flagship project will offer entrepreneurs and small businesses ‘a workspace to rival anything available in Belfast, Dublin or Great Britain’.

A spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said: “The Workspace Hub at High Steet, Antrim, is due to open during the summer of 2024.

“A series of open evenings and events are being planned and will be announced in due course.

“This state-of-the-art facility will be a great asset to Antrim attracting new start-up businesses, entrepreneurs and other business users to the Borough, transforming a vacant space into a commercial hub in the heart of the town centre.”

The council is also developing a similar hub at the site of a former police station in Glengormley.

Meanwhile, plans have been lodged for the transformation of the old First Trust bank building on the opposite side of the street, which closed in 2017.

Applicant Brian McKenna has proposed to retain the existing facade of the building, located within Antrim Town Centre Conservation Area, along with the creation of two ground floor retail outlets and five first floor apartments.

A design and access statement lodged with the planning application has indicated that the commercial building features a former banking hall, strong rooms, offices, customer area, interview rooms and toilets.

A document said that the proposed development ‘will make a positive contribution to the conservation area’.

“The proposed development represents the sustainable use of buildings within an urban area. It will provide a new lease of life for this building. The character and setting of the building will be maintained and improved and the quality of visitor accommodation will be enhanced.”

The borough council’s environmental health department has requested the applicant to undertake a noise impact assessment due to “close proximity to commercial businesses with proposed retail units on the ground floor”.

The latest application was received by the council in May.

Back in October 2023, we revealed how the owners of Castle Mall had applied for planning permission to turn the building into a restaurant and offices.

Keneagles’ proposal for 50-52 High Street, Antrim, formerly the home of First Trust, now AIB, read: “Change of use from bank to restaurant at ground floor and office space at first floor.”

Antrim’s branches of First Trust and Bank of Ireland both closed in 2017, followed by Santander in 2019 and Ulster Bank in 2021.

The plans are in addition to separate schemes to transform offices at Market Square, in Antrim town centre, to nine apartments.

Keneagles is also proposing plans to demolish part of Castle Mall to create 49 dwellings - one detached, 19 terraces and 29 apartments for social housing, including parking and amenity spaces as part of a huge overhaul of the entire site.

Last August, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council approved a £1.4m ‘Living Above the Shops’ scheme in a bid to boost investment in the borough’s town centres.