Work begins on new Bangor business centre

Building work has begun on a major new Bangor business centre – marking a £1 million investment by the European Union.

The new Signal Business Growth Centre has been designed to offer enhanced business support services including managed workspace, access to centres for excellence in North Down and Ards Further Education Institute, a business innovation and incubation centre.

The new centre is part of an 18-acre development at Balloo which will be the location of the planned North Down Business Village – a joint venture between North Down Borough Council, North Down Development Organisation, Signal, North Down and Ards Institute, and Invest NI.

The project is being developed by North Down Borough Council in partnership with the local business community on land purchased from Invest Northern Ireland and will receive European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) from the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.

Speaking at the ceremony, NIO Trade Minister Ian Pearson said: “Bangor’s new Signal Growth Centre is an innovative venture that will make a very substantial contribution to the overall economic well-being of North Down through facilities and services that will help small businesses grow faster."

The Minister praised the work of the North Down Signal organisation in developing practical support services for local companies in areas such as networking, business mentoring and export development.

He added said: “By drawing together all the expert services that businesses today need, this partnership for prosperity provides the supportive framework that will facilitate enterprise and innovation and create the conditions in which many more new businesses will emerge and existing companies can accelerate expansion plans.

Also in attendance were Mayor of North Down, Councillor Alan Graham, and Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, North Down Borough Council, Alderman Leslie Cree.

(GMcG)