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  • Lyons: £5m investment enhances historic heart of Londonderry

    Topics:
    • Regeneration

    Date published: 25 August 2026

    Communities Minister Gordon Lyons today marked the completion of the £5 million Inner Walled City Public Realm Scheme, a major regeneration investment in the historic heart of Londonderry.

    Minister Lyons is pictured with Enda Shields, Contracts Director with FP McCann Ltd.’s Civil Engineering Division
    Minister Lyons is pictured with Enda Shields, Contracts Director with FP McCann Ltd.’s Civil Engineering Division

    The scheme has delivered high-quality public realm improvements across Bank Place, Union Hall Place, Magazine Street, Upper Magazine Street, Society Street and Palace Street within the historic conservation area and adjacent to the iconic City Walls, improving accessibility, safety, and the overall visitor experience.

    Welcoming the conclusion of the project, Minister Lyons said: 

    “This represents a significant milestone for Londonderry. This investment has transformed key streets and spaces within the walled city, creating a more attractive, accessible, and vibrant environment for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

    “This scheme demonstrates my department’s commitment to supporting regeneration, protecting our unique built heritage, and strengthening the economic, social, and cultural vitality of our city centres. By enhancing the public realm within this historic setting, we are helping to ensure that the heart of Londonderry remains an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in.”

    The Inner Walled City Public Realm Scheme forms part of the Department for Communities’ wider regeneration programme and builds on previous public realm investments throughout the city centre. The completion of the project further strengthens Londonderry’s position as a vibrant regional centre and important heritage destination, supporting continued economic, cultural and tourism growth across the North West.

    Minister Lyons added: 

    “I would like to thank local stakeholders, businesses, residents, community representatives, Derry City and Strabane District Council, and the project team, whose collaboration and commitment have helped bring this important project to fruition.”

    Notes to editors:

    1. For media enquiries, please contact the Press Office via press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk.
    2. Follow the Department on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
    3. 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.

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