£330,000 investment to revitalise new Council area: Storey

Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, has announced a significant investment to revitalise towns within the new Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

The Department for Social Development (DSD) has been working with the Council to target the towns of Armagh, Banbridge, Dromore, Lurgan and Portadown and has provided £200,000, which will be supported by an additional by £130,000 from the Council itself.

Minister Storey said: “This is an excellent opportunity for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to showcase its new corporate identity by working in partnership with my Department to revitalise towns across the new borough. As the second largest Council in Northern Ireland, this revitalisation work has the potential to have a very positive impact on over 200,000 people who live and work within the Borough.”

The funding will support a further Revitalisation Project, which aims to maintain the increase in footfall which has already been achieved through the completion of previous improvement works in these towns.

The Minister added: “Previous Public Realm and Revitalisation Projects have shown that improving the infrastructure of our towns, as well as improving shop frontages, providing signage, seating, lighting and free WiFi all contribute to attracting visitors and tourists. I look forward to seeing the completed projects.”

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Darryn Causby said: “This is great news for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure £200,000 from the Department for Social Development. This, added to the £130,000 Council investment already set aside, will deliver a series of innovative economic programmes and physical improvements across our main urban centres.”

The Lord Mayor continued: “Council’s Corporate Plan emphasises the importance of increasing prosperity through development of the economy and enhancement of our environment, and this project promises to deliver on both. Initiatives include Landlord Mentoring, a pilot Click and Collect Training Programme for retailers and environmental improvement works at the Johnson Building in the Shambles, Armagh and at the Pump House Building adjacent to the River Bann in Portadown.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council will manage the individual contracts across Armagh, Banbridge, Dromore, Lurgan and Portadown
2. For media enquiries please contact the DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9494. For out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned

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