Extra £1m for Belfast City Centre ahead of Christmas
Funding pours in to help businesses after Primark fire
Another £1m is to be pumped into Belfast City Centre – in the run-up to Christmas.
It brings the total recovery package in the wake of the Primark fire, to £6m.
The bumper cash windfall was announced today (Monday) by David Sterling, Head of the NI Civil Service.
It is hoped the extra funds will help entice shoppers into the city centre in what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for businesses.
The money is coming from three different Stormont departments and the
initaitve includes things lke improving open spaces in Belfast - with plans for
outdoor seating and dining, street art and events.
There will also be a festive travel campaign with major discounts on Translink buses and
trains, as well as extra services including midnight departures.
Mr Sterling also says a longer-term strategy is being planned for the next three to five years.
He said: “Since the devastating fire at Bank Buildings, the civil service has been working closely with Belfast City Council to support affected traders in the run up to Christmas.
“This will help address some of the difficulties shoppers and visitors have faced as they try and move around the city centre. This funding package is part of our ongoing efforts to do everything we possibly can within our available resources.”
The £1.1million announced today is in addition to the £380,000 previously provided to the council by the Department for Communities.
The overall package is in place to ensure that there is plenty to attract people to Belfast city centre to complement its retail offering, between now and spring 2019.
Details of today’s £1.1million initiative include:
• The Department for Communities has agreed to provide a further £200,000 which brings their total support to £580,000. This will contribute to significant investment in environmental improvements in open spaces in the city centre, providing places for people to relax, eat and enjoy the city, with outdoor seating and tables, enhanced street lighting and street art, alongside a programme of main events and smaller activities.
• The Department for the Economy is providing £400,000 to spend on a range of initiatives to increase visitors to the city centre and boost tourism.
• The Department for Infrastructure’s contribution of £500,000 will allow Translink to deliver a high impact festive travel campaign, offering major discounts on fares to encourage more people to travel into the heart of Belfast and experience all the city has to offer. This will include day travel across Belfast for just £2 (£1 child) and additional services, including midnight departures. There will be an extensive range of offers on Metro/Glider, Ulsterbus, Goldline and NI Railways including family tickets and discounts for yLink and 24+ Card Holders.