Protestors heckle Hain in Lisburn

Secretary of State, Peter Hain was out today in Lisburn with a message that "partnership in urban regeneration can bring real prosperity to local communities."

However, Mr Hain, confronted by a number of loyalist women protestors in Lisburn concerned about the government's approach to loyalist issues, said it was "not a one sided government."

Mr Hain's visit to Lisburn, where there have been incidents of loyalist unrest, was to see the ongoing regeneration that is taking place in the City before visiting a local community project.

Accompanied by NIO Minister David Hanson, the Secretary of State met members of the City Council before undertaking a tour of the regeneration work being undertaken in the Historic Quarter of the City where over 250 local businesses are located.

Mr Hain said: “What we have seen today demonstrates that prosperity can thrive where Government works in partnership with local communities. While Government can and does work for the community, it is so much more effective when we can work with the community. It is important that people on the ground, elected representatives and others, also help in finding solutions as well as identifying the problems.

“David Hanson and my Ministerial team are working specifically to bring a sharp focus to issues such as urban regeneration and significant amounts of money have already been allocated to meet the needs of many communities across Northern Ireland."

Social Development Minister David Hanson highlighted some of the work being undertaken in the area by DSD to regenerate the area, much of which dates back to the 18th Century. He said: “Through an environmental improvement scheme, a shop fronts scheme and a ‘Spruce Up’ scheme, we have been able to provide effective support to regenerate this important area of the City. This work, and other projects undertaken in partnership with the City Centre Management Company, is bringing new prosperity to an historically important part of Lisburn”.

Mr Hain and Mr Hanson then met representatives of the City Centre Partnership, shoppers, shopkeepers and others who work in Bow Street and the City Centre.

(SP)