Council host special business event in London

‘Lisburn Castlereagh at Westminster’ saw 40 local businesses attend the prestigious surroundings of the Palace of Westminster. hosted by the council in partnership with local MP, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, in a bid to expand their GB links and advance partnerships in the region.

The local companies were joined by over 70 businesses, Embassy contacts, senior politicians and potential investors to learn why Lisburn Castlereagh is Northern Ireland’s premier investment location and the extensive opportunities that exist for exciting major developments and inward investment.

Leading the officer group the Council’s Chief Executive, Dr. Theresa Donaldson, spoke of the council’s ambitious investment plans: “The council is truly visionary on how the area should develop and this event forms part of our plans to champion Lisburn Castlereagh as a unique and premier investment location.

“Not only is this a vehicle for local SMEs to develop their external markets it is a fantastic opportunity to profile our area to businesses considering relocation or new developments. Ideally positioned on the main Belfast to Dublin economic corridor we are Northern Ireland’s best connected City with quite a unique advantage over other Cities. We are a great place to do business and we want Lisburn Castlereagh to be a destination of choice.”

Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee; Councillor Uel Mackin, said: “We are delighted to be the only Northern Ireland Council to deliver this annual event at Westminster. We pride ourselves on being a business friendly council working hard to create an enterprise support infrastructure which will support local SMEs and contribute to a globally competitive economy. This event is an ideal platform to achieve this and echoes the vision outlined in the draft Industrial Strategy for Northern Ireland Economy 2030. We have remarkable businesses in the council area and we are pleased so many could join us today. I am positive that we have the right assets to attract major developments and the council is best placed to support such investment. We are leading the way with our investment programme and our hands-on approach to supporting businesses.”

Speaking at the event Lagan Valley MP, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, explained: “We have so much potential in Lisburn Castlereagh with our unique location and exciting offer. There are a number of key drivers for economic growth and tourism development in our area including the fact that we are home to the Queen’s official residence at Hillsborough Castle and Northern Ireland’s largest exhibition and events centre, the Eikon Centre. We want to build on this and I am proud to work with the council in progressing their economic vision. The success of existing investors such as Coca-Cola, Graham, Lloyds Banking and Assa Abloy, is testament to the benefits of locating in Lisburn Castlereagh, and it encouraging to hear the success stories of local businesses today. I would like to commend the council on taking such a forward-thinking approach and I will continue to support them with their vision of driving sustainable economic growth. Lisburn Castlereagh is truly Northern Ireland’s best connected city with a business friendly attitude.”

Local businesses attending the event included Andrew Ingredients, Brookvent, Arcatech, Graham, Historic Royal Palaces, McGreevy Engineering and Lloyds Banking Group.

The ‘Lisburn Castlereagh at Westminster’ 2017 event forms part of the council’s ambitious investment programme focusing on the economic growth of the local area. The council will also return to MIPIM UK, the UK’s largest Property event, in October 2017 when once again it will take the lead in promoting Lisburn Castlereagh as Northern Ireland’s prime investment location.