Following on from the success of the ARCHES House project we were encouraged to embark on a second community project. With funding from IFI and Antrim Borough Council we purchased and developed 9 John Street into our second community building, ARCHES Mews which provides 4 commercial units and 4 residential flats. This development also greatly enhanced a fairly derelict area of the town and led to the provision of an extension to the car park by DOE Roads Service and also the Council’s community playground, both of which are very beneficial to and much appreciated by the local community.
The project cost – £400,000 and the main funders included – International Fund for Ireland, Antrim Borough Council.
After the completion of ARCHES House the group applied again to the International Fund for Ireland for funding for a second Community Project. This was granted and in 2004 ARCHES purchased the Pneutrol building in John Street and the old Mace store beside it. The first plan was to devote the entire first floor of the building to a day nursery to be let as a private enterprise with the ground floor converted to commercial/workspace units. The day nursery plan unfortunately did not work out so it was decided to adopt the more viable option of residential accommodation.
Donnan and Ward drew up plans and the work was carried out by local builder, WMK Builders Contractors. Starting in 2004, ARCHES Mews was completed by early 2005 and the building was ready for occupation. As in ARCHES House, there was steady demand for the accommodation. With one exception the commercial units have been less successful with a succession of tenants staying a short time and then moving on. However, ARCHES has been able to use any empty space for their other projects and only the smallest unit remains unoccupied. Its appeal may be improved when the car park extension opens and a new entrance is created.
