Recruitment starts for £77k coastal project

Recruitment has started for the £77k business support and training project announced earlier this year by the Department of Environment as part of a £1.5 million boost from the Coastal Communities Fund.

The initiative, expected to create 10 new jobs and safeguard 20 more, will be delivered by Carrickfergus Enterprise in conjunction with the Northern Regional College.

Major sporting events over the next few years are expected to attract additional overseas visitors to Northern Ireland. Furthermore, the province’s reputation with the film and TV industry and popularity of the Titanic Visitors Centre will further bolster tourism, according to Carrickfergus Enterprise.

Kelli Bagchus, manager of Carrickfergus Enterprise, commented: “There are many hidden gems along this route that many visitors don’t really know about. The support offered through the programme will help local businesses to capitalise on the opportunities that tourism can bring and to encourage more visitors to stop off at key points along the route.

“Recruitment for the project commenced this week and participants can benefit from a package of support to include skills development and training in areas such as marketing, finance and social media. This will improve the businesses know how and assist them to develop their business in order to grow and survive.

“A joint marketing approach will be developed to allow local providers to raise their profile as a quality tourist destination and help potential visitors to visualise a broad range of places to visit on route including accommodation, activities such as sailing or horse-riding as well as places to eat or purchase gifts.”

The programme is free and available to tourism-related businesses along the coastal route of Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Larne.

Places are limited and if you would like to find out more or request an application form, contact Carrickfergus Enterprise at [email protected] or 028 93 369528.