Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that public realm improvements in the Church Street and De Courcy Place areas of Downpatrick will commence in the summer of 2026.

The Department for Communities is providing £2.5 million for the scheme, alongside a £400,000 contribution from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. John McQuillan Contracts Ltd has been appointed to deliver the project and is working with consultants AECOM to finalise preparations for the start of construction.

Works will span Church Street from Pillar Well Lane to the Scotch Street junction, and De Courcy Place/Lower English Street from the Church Street junction to the frontage of Denvir's Hotel.

The programme will deliver a long-awaited refresh of the area, including new footpath surfaces with granite paving and natural stone kerbs; tactile paving at pedestrian crossings; upgraded traffic signals; street furniture planters; new street trees; and replacement streetlights. Welcoming the scheme, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: "I am pleased that work to improve this historic part of Downpatrick will soon be commencing. This major investment will complement previously completed schemes within Downpatrick and will help unlock wider physical and social regeneration within the town centre to encourage more visitors and tourists to the area, providing a welcome boost for the local economy."

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Philip Campbell said: "This investment is long overdue, represents a key output from the Downpatrick Living High Street Framework and is a great opportunity to further boost the overall regeneration and growth of the town. Council is fully aware of the disruption already experienced on the street from the advance utility works and will work closely with government agencies and the public realm contractor regarding traffic management and overall delivery of the works."

Mal McGrady, Chair of the Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group (DRWG), said: "Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group is pleased to see the further roll-out of works identified as necessary to upgrade one of the main arterial routes into the centre of Downpatrick and make the approach to the historic English Street/Mall area more appealing visually. We are thankful to the Department of Communities and Newry Mourne and Down District Council for providing funding which will improve the town centre for residents, businesses and visitors alike. DRWG will continue to address areas identified for improvement both in relation to infrastructure and events that will enable us to enhance visitor numbers to the town."