East Belfast to gain Business Centre

The government has announced that a derelict site on the approach to East Belfast is to be transformed into a landmark business centre with job-creating potential.

East Belfast Enterprise has been selected as the preferred developer for the prominent site, which was formerly a Kwik Fit centre, at the junction of Bridge End and Newtownards Road, close to the Sydenham By-Pass.

The project, supported by the Department for Social Development's Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO), will feature a business incubation centre consisting of rentable workshops that could create more than 90 jobs when fully occupied.

Social Development Minister David Hanson said: "The redevelopment of this site is an example of how local initiatives are helping to stimulate regeneration in the most deprived neighbourhoods of Belfast.

"This project involved a comprehensive consultation process and it was the collective view that this site could contribute greatly to the regeneration of the Newtownards Road area. It was also agreed that this was an opportunity to create a significant landmark building on a 'Gateway' site to East Belfast from the city.

"This concept is a key part of the successful submission by the East Belfast Enterprise which will also encourage the formation of new businesses. In turn, this has the potential to bring up to 90 much-needed jobs and other benefits to the Inner East Neighbourhood Renewal Area."

Roisin McDermott, Manager of the East Belfast agency said: "We have been trying for several years to secure a site for enterprise development. Too often we find that local people wishing to start a business in East Belfast are forced to leave the area due to the lack of flexible affordable accommodation. Hopefully this development will go some way to meeting local need."

BRO assessed the proposals with professional advisers including planners and valuers to select a preferred developer. The site will remain in the Department's ownership until the developer completes the work to the required standard. Subject to planning permission and other statutory approvals it is hoped that work on the first phase of the development will begin in October of this year.

(SP)