Hargey visits Omagh to view recent regeneration projects
Date published:
On a walkabout of Omagh town Centre, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey viewed some of the recently completed regeneration projects funded through her Department to support the competitiveness and vibrancy of the town centre.
The Minister visited the Strule Urban Garden and Cycle Stop which was funded through the Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme. This project, which was part of a £1.2 million programme for the council area, promotes active travel and has introduced improvements to open spaces providing safe facilities for all.
The Minister also visited High Street, Market Street and George Street to view completed revitalisation works. The Department provided funding of £239,000 for this project, with a further £24,000 from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) and £62,000 from traders. These works helped to improve shop frontages and provide a more attractive shopping experience in the area.
Minister Hargey said:
“I’m delighted to see how funding from my Department has supported the regeneration and revitalisation of the town centre.
“These projects are crucial to encouraging people back into our towns and city centres, to support our local businesses and ultimately to help keep our town and city centres alive and prosperous.
“It is a priority for my Department to support our town centres and to build safe and welcoming communities for all.”
Welcoming the Minister, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC), Cllr Barry McElduff said:
“This visit has allowed us to showcase how funding from the Department has benefitted the town. It has revitalised Omagh town centre and is supporting further proposed development set out in the Omagh Place Shaping Plan. The plan is currently out for consultation and I would encourage the public to take the opportunity to submit their views.”
Notes to editors:
- Photo Caption: Minister Hargey with Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Barry McElduff and Kieran McCrory of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
- The Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme is a collaborative programme with the Department for Communities, Department for Infrastructure and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. The programme was set up to help and support our urban and rural businesses deal with the impacts of the Covid-19 and reopen safely.
- Omagh Place Shaping Plan will explore the issue of the current and soon to be vacated sites within the town and recommend actions required to address this. The Department has assisted FODC with this initiative by providing funding of £45K.
- The High Street, Market Street and George Street Revitalisation works of £325K included shop front improvements, street cleansing and new Christmas illuminations.
- Press enquiries to DfC Press Office.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
- Follow us on Twitter @CommunitiesNI