A £330k boost aims to revitalise borough

The Department for Social Development (DSD) has been working with the Council to target the towns of Armagh, Banbridge, Dromore, Lurgan and Portadown, and has provided £200,000.

This sum will be supported by an additional £130,000 from the Council itself.

Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to showcase its new corporate identity by working in partnership with my 
Department to revitalise towns across the new borough.

“As the second largest Council in Northern Ireland, this revitalisation work has the potential to have a very positive impact on over 200,000 people, who live and work within the 
Borough.”

The funding will support a further Revitalisation Project, which aims to maintain the increase in footfall which has already been achieved through the completion of previous improvement works in these towns.

The Minister added: “Previous Public Realm and Revitalisation Projects have shown that improving the infrastructure of our towns, as well as improving shop frontages, providing signage, seating, lighting and free WiFi all 
contribute to attracting visitors and tourists.

“I look forward to seeing the completed projects,” said the Minister.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Darryn Causby welcomed the news.

He said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure £200,000 from the Department for Social Development.

“This, added to the £130,000 Council investment already set aside, will deliver a series of innovative economic programmes and physical improvements across our main urban centres.”

The Lord Mayor continued: “Council’s Corporate Plan emphasises the importance of increasing prosperity through development of the economy and enhancement of our environment, and this project promises to deliver on 
both.

“Initiatives include Landlord Mentoring, a pilot Click and Collect Training Programme for retailers and environmental improvement works at the Johnson Building in the Shambles, Armagh and at the Pump House Building adjacent to the River Bann in Portadown,” Cllr Causby told the ‘MAIL’.