Stakeholders plan for future growth of city centre

This was the second meeting of city centre stakeholders, including local traders, partner organisations, statutory agencies and councillors.

The ‘Our City Our Future’ meeting, held on September 26, discussed the economic performance of Lisburn city centre, events, initiatives and future plans.

Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the council’s Development Committee, Cllr Uel Mackin, said: “Lisburn city centre is an extremely popular place and we want to work together to make it even more so.

“Working collectively we can hear first-hand what works, what doesn’t, and about potential development opportunities. We can look at growing local business, developing tourism and increasing the retail offer where possible.”

It’s understood a number of initiatives were discussed, including plans for the Christmas period and use of the events space in Market Square.

Council Chief Executive, Dr Theresa Donaldson, added: “Investment and the ongoing prosperity of the retail offer in Lisburn is very important to the council. These meetings are organised on a quarterly basis and provide space for sharing views and ideas.

“The council supports the retail offer in the city centre through a variety of initiatives and our aim is to strengthen links, to increase enterprise and to look at shopping patterns, catchment and spend in the city centre and, where we can, help with growth opportunities.

“I would like to thank everyone who participated in the meeting which provided plenty of interesting feedback to consider and progress in the local economy.”