07/06/2013

£2.4m Invested In Holywood Retail Space

£2.4m is being invested in Holywood as part of a move to improve the town centre as a retail base within the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area.

The public realm improvement scheme is being delivered jointly by the NI Executive through the Department for Social Development and North Down Borough Council.

The design concepts have been developed in partnership with North Down Borough Council, community and business representatives.

The scheme will cover High Street, Hibernia Street, Shore Road and Church Road.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said: "Holywood is a town with great potential, character and history. This funding will help to maintain the vibrancy of the town centre ensuring its continuance as an important employment and retail base. Supporting town centres is vital in maintaining local communities and the benefits of this investment will be felt by the local community well into the future."

The works will include upgrades to footpaths, undergrounding of overhead utility services, improvements to the Maypole road junction and the use of new and improved street lighting.

Minister continued: "Public realm improvements are valuable in this economic climate in terms of creating employment and helping Holywood to develop as an enterprising and competitive town."

The Mayor of North Down, Councillor Wesley Irvine said: "We welcome the announcement of this investment in the bustling town centre of Holywood. We want to retain the unique nature of this vibrant town and support local businesses. The whole town will benefit from this transformation and we hope it will broaden the shopping experience for locals and visitors and increase footfall in the town."

(IT/MH)


Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 May 2011
McCausland Unveils Cookstown Regeneration
The launch of a draft Masterplan for Cookstown town centre has taken place, with NI Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland announcing that the purpose of the plan is to provide strategic guidance for the regeneration and development of the town centre over the next 10-15 years - and to enhance job opportunities.
25 June 2010
Attwood Reveals Masterplan For Antrim
NI Minister for Social Development, Alex Atwood has launched the Antrim town centre masterplan. The masterplan provides a vision for the town centre and a strategy for delivering that vision. The masterplan published today states that Antrim has capacity to add up to 14,000sq m of new retail floor space to significantly improve its retail offer.
09 January 2002
Tourism will 'unlock a new future' for Holywood
Holywood in County Down is to open itself to 'outside scrutiny' in a bid to become a key player in Northern Ireland's tourism economy.
01 February 2018
Antrim Town Business Awards Announced
Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, in association with Antrim Town Team, has announced the Antrim Town Business Awards.
13 March 2013
Call For Commercial Rates To Be Lower For Town Centre Developments
Labour Deputy, John Lyons, has stated that commercial rates should be lower for town centre developments and higher for large out of town developments – to help sustain smaller retailers that are currently under pressure.