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Facelift in Belfast's Sandy Row

Thursday, 20 December 2007

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today visited a run down block of commercial units transformed by a physical regeneration project in Belfast.

Alliance Pharmacy has demolished the entire block and constructed a 2-storey building for use as a surgery and a pharmacy, funded in partnership by the public and private sector.

The Minister viewed the transformation funded in part by her Department’s Urban Development Grant Scheme and said: “The redevelopment of these run down commercial premises greatly improves the streetscape and creates the opportunity for up to seven new jobs. The new development also provides much needed good quality Doctors Surgery premises and services to the local community. It is a great example of partnership between the DSD’s Belfast Regeneration Office and the private sector.”

Notes to Editors:

  1. Area Development Manager for Alliance Pharmacy, Richard Dunn and Branch Manager, Alan Irwin showed the Minister round the premises on Sandy Row, Belfast. An Urban Development grant of £268,222 was awarded by DSD’s Belfast Regeneration Office and this was more than matched by private investment to a combined total of just over £1million
  2. The new building provides 670m2 of commercial floorspace and improves the physical infrastructure of the area, which is essential in a modern economy. By creating modern surgeries and a pharmacy, this development improves service provision in the area and will encourage more sustainable development in Belfast in the highly deprives Shaftesbury Ward.
  3. The Urban Development Grant (UDG) scheme is an important physical instrument within the DSD’s People and Place Strategy for delivering Neighbourhood Renewal through private sector investment. It is available for a range of physical development projects in sectors such as inner/middle city housing, commercial, retail and light industrial.
  4. Since April 2000, £12.4million of UDG money in Belfast has levered in Private Sector investment of £52.6million from 104 projects.
  5. Alliance Pharmacy owns Middlesex based Moss Pharmacy, the UK’s third largest chemist group with 800-plus stores.
  6. News Media enquiries to DSD Press Office on 02890 829496 or out-of-hours call the Duty Press Officer on 07699715440 and your call will be returned.