McCausland's boost for Larne traders

Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland, has announced funding of £150,000 for a ReStore programme for Larne town centre.
~ Monday, 27 June 2011

ReStore aims to boost business performance by creating a more attractive environment by improving the look of shop fronts and encouraging shoppers and visitors into the area.

Minister McCausland said: “This is great news for traders in the centre of Larne. Maintaining a bright and vibrant setting for businesses to operate in will attract more footfall into the area and will help sustain the local economy including independently owned shops.

“This scheme follows others that my Department has funded in Belfast. The Larne scheme is an opportunity to see how well ReStore will work in one of our regional towns. I would encourage traders to take up the chance to make these improvements to their shop fronts and play their part in enticing greater footfall into the area. I look forward to seeing the improvements which can now be made in the area and to hear what shoppers, visitors and traders have to say.”

John Shannon, Chairman of Larne Traders Forum said: “The Forum is delighted that the Larne ReStore project has received financial support from the Department for Social Development. The project will make a big impact on part of the Main Street in the town centre by improving shop fronts and gables, brightening up vacant sites and premises, introducing more floral displays and signage, and promoting the shopping opportunities in the area.

“The Forum encourages all the businesses in the ReStore project area to participate; full details of how to apply for financial support from the scheme are being circulated.”

Notes to editors:

1. Within Larne Town Centre the programme is being implemented by Larne Traders Forum with support from Larne Town Centre Manager and DSD.
2. An action plan has been prepared by Larne Traders Forum lasting a period of nine months until March 2012 to implement a series of physical and environmental improvements to a designated area in Larne’s Main Street.
3. The ‘ReStore’ programme broadly mirrors the ‘ReStore DC’ programme, in Washington DC. This programme supports the revitalisation of Washington DC’s neighbourhood commercial districts and small businesses by:
   - providing technical and funding assistance in targeted neighbourhoods to retain DC businesses, design and improve storefronts and streetscapes, and promote DC’s business neighbourhood districts; and
   - building the capacity of neighbourhood non-profit organisations to assist businesses and coordinate sustainable community-driven revitalisation efforts.
4. Other schemes supported in Belfast include the Greater Castle Street area (December 2008) and Smithfield and Library Quarter (May 2009) and Glen Road (November 2010).
5. Media enquiries to DSD Communications Team on 028 9082 9078 or email press.office@dsdni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.