COMMUNITIES Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed the news that work is to get underway shortly on improvements to revitalise 19 businesses in Strabane.
The £192,000 investment from the Department for Communities will improve premises on Church Street, Market Street and Butcher Street in the town centre.
The improvements will include works such as repairs and replacement to shop fronts, replacement signage and painting, replacement of rainwater goods, repairs to render brickwork and removal of external shutters and installation of internal shutters.
Announcing the start of the project Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said:
“My Department is committed to supporting our town centres as we work to secure their viability by working with the businesses who are the lifeblood of many local towns.
“This investment, whilst predating the current pandemic, is certainly timely as we work to support the economic recovery of our town centres from the impacts of Covid-19.
“With work due to get underway shortly, 19 businesses will be receiving direct investment to improve the physical appearance of their shops.
“I have also recently announced an £11m Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Scheme with Derry City and Strabane District Council having received over £500,000 to support city, town centres and smaller settlements within the district.
“These funding packages are practical examples of my commitment to increasing the vibrancy of town centres and contributing to the local economy, at a difficult time for many traders.”
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Brian Tierney, said:
“This is a very welcome announcement for Strabane town centre as we continue to navigate through the Covid-19 recovery process.
“It is fantastic news that 19 businesses in our town centre will benefit from this funding package and, in turn, this will have a positive effect on Strabane and the surrounding communities – boosting the economy and bringing people back into the town.
“The announcement of the Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Scheme is also fantastic for our district as a whole, and the funding will provide a platform for a return to normality as we move through the weeks and months ahead.”
Works will commence in late August 2020 and are expected to be completed by late March 2021. The Department for Communities has provided funding of £192,000 to Derry City and Strabane District Council who will manage and deliver the project.
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