Minister Fleur Anderson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, visited Dromore this week on Tuesday 3rd December to celebrate the centre transformation following the successful completion of a £1.4 million public realm and shopfront improvement scheme.
During her visit, the Minister was warmly welcomed by Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Kyle Savage, local elected representatives and business traders. The visit began with introductions at Dromore Town Hall, followed by a guided tour to see first-hand the positive impact of the improvement works, and the vibrancy of the business community in the town.
Key stops on the tour included:
– The Community Garden, which has become a vibrant and welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.
– Shopfront improvements, a collaborative project between the Council and Department for Communities, which provided grants to 18 local businesses to enhance their premises.
– The former Ulster Bank building, now transformed into a dynamic business hub under the leadership of Allison Savage, creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Minister also met Leanne Lyons of Breaker Breaker Charity, a vital organisation supporting the mental health of those in the haulage industry and praised the charity’s important contributions to the community.
Minister Anderson said: “It was wonderful to witness first-hand the rejuvenation of Dromore town centre and meet with local business owners and members of the public. I am very grateful to the Deputy Lord Mayor for the informative tour, and I wish the Dromore community, and wider area, every success going forward.”
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said, “My department works closely with Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council to regenerate our urban centres through Public Realm Schemes to improve footpaths and streetscape, and Revitalisation Schemes to improve the appearance and condition of the existing buildings and to make our urban centres more attractive and vibrant for businesses, residents and visitors.
“Investment in schemes such as these in Dromore, is fundamental to the long-term viability and prosperity of our town centres, and I am pleased that my department and Council continue to work together in this regard.”
Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Kyle Savage added: “We are delighted to welcome Minister Anderson to Dromore and showcase the progress made here. The funding and collaborative effort have brought a new lease of life to the town centre, and we look forward to building on this success.”
The visit showcased Council’s commitment to investing in local communities and fostering sustainable growth in the borough’s urban town centres.
