21/09/2018

Belfast City Council Awards £1.25m To Boost City Centre

Belfast City Council has approved plans to award £1.25 million of funding for Belfast City Centre in the aftermath of the Primark fire.

The move follows Primark's announcement earlier this week that it is to donate £500,000 to Council's wider city recovery investment programme to help businesses affected by the fire.

Alderman Jim Rodgers, chair of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "The scale of this disaster has had an immediate and profound impact on Belfast city centre and has left us facing huge challenges in the weeks and months ahead.

"We are determined as a Council to lead this recovery operation and offer our business community all the support it needs to get back to business as usual, and to support those traders who, while outside the cordon, are also suffering a reduction in footfall and sales.

"Each of the businesses has different needs and priorities. It is vital that we work together to deliver the best support programme possible, and ensure Belfast's economic resilience in the longer term. This will not be a short term fix but support investment in regeneration of the city."

Alliance Deputy Group Leader, Nuala McAllister, said: "We are delighted this proposal from Alliance secured full party backing. Traders and businesses in the area surrounding the cordon need to know they won't be forgotten, especially as we work forward in finding solutions to issues facing them.

"Primark has pledged its support for Belfast and the community from which its location in Bank Buildings was very much at the heart. Belfast City Council is proud to add to this total and will be working hard to ensure our local traders and businesses are protected and enhanced as they key shopping season continues."

(LM/CM)

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