Antrim Set For Regeneration And Expansion

A new masterplan has been launched covering proposals for redeveloping Antrim's town centre.

NI Minister for Social Development, Alex Atwood revealed the plan today and said that Antrim has the capacity to add up to 14,000sq m of new retail floor space to significantly improve its retail offer.

The plan also proposes that this new retail development should be located mainly on publicly owned car parks in the town centre, with the parking spaces to be replaced in new multi-storey car parks within the developments. It also suggests that the commercial regeneration of the town will require investment from both the public sector and private developers and retailers.

The Minister also announced that a key development site at the corner of Railway Street and Church Street, which has been derelict for over 25 years, has been purchased by his Department in an effort to kick-start the regeneration of the town centre.

The Department plans to secure a new retail development on the site by issuing a development brief to attract investors and developers.

At the launch of the masterplan in the newly renovated Antrim Old Courthouse, Minister Attwood said: "The people in Antrim require a greater choice for shopping in their own town centre. There has been a gradual decline in the number and range of shops available in the town.

"This masterplan has identified gaps in the retail market and the potential development sites to help prevent further decline and progress Antrim's position as a shopping town."

Full story: Attwood Reveals Masterplan For Antrim

(NS/GK)