21/09/2018

Belfast City Council Awards £1.25m To Boost City Centre

Belfast City Council has approved plans to award £1.25 million of funding for Belfast City Centre in the aftermath of the Primark fire.

The move follows Primark's announcement earlier this week that it is to donate £500,000 to Council's wider city recovery investment programme to help businesses affected by the fire.

Alderman Jim Rodgers, chair of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "The scale of this disaster has had an immediate and profound impact on Belfast city centre and has left us facing huge challenges in the weeks and months ahead.

"We are determined as a Council to lead this recovery operation and offer our business community all the support it needs to get back to business as usual, and to support those traders who, while outside the cordon, are also suffering a reduction in footfall and sales.

"Each of the businesses has different needs and priorities. It is vital that we work together to deliver the best support programme possible, and ensure Belfast's economic resilience in the longer term. This will not be a short term fix but support investment in regeneration of the city."

Alliance Deputy Group Leader, Nuala McAllister, said: "We are delighted this proposal from Alliance secured full party backing. Traders and businesses in the area surrounding the cordon need to know they won't be forgotten, especially as we work forward in finding solutions to issues facing them.

"Primark has pledged its support for Belfast and the community from which its location in Bank Buildings was very much at the heart. Belfast City Council is proud to add to this total and will be working hard to ensure our local traders and businesses are protected and enhanced as they key shopping season continues."

(LM/CM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 November 2024
Ministers Recognise Work Of US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy
The First Minister and deputy First Minister has thanked U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, for his contribution to furthering economic links with the U.S. The Special Envoy is in Belfast for a series of events marking his term in office.
02 October 2018
Businesses Affected By Primark Building Cordon Removed From Rates Liability
Seventeen businesses affected by the Primark building fire have been removed from all business rates liability while the Bank Building has been removed from the Valuation List. Northern Ireland Civil Service departments are continuing to work with Belfast City Council and other agencies in response to the fire at Belfast's Bank Buildings.
07 January 2009
Paving The Road To Sales Growth
As the credit crunch continues to bite, the battle to grow sales is an ever more important one for businesses to win. However, small businesses are being given a competitive advantage, thanks to Belfast City Council's latest development initiative.
19 September 2018
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
15 March 2004
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.