Ritchie announces start of work on new £830,000 community and retail facility

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today visited North Belfast to announce the start of building work on a new £830,000 business and community facility.

The state of the art project is being built for the benefit of local people in the Upper Ardoyne area of the city. It will include:

• Retail shops;
• Community facilities for activities such as counselling, advice and alternative therapies;
• Conference and training facilities for education and employment training; and
• Office units.

Margaret Ritchie said: “This is great news for the people of North Belfast. This project represents the culmination of years of hard work and vision by local people. I salute their efforts and welcome that my Department, and the International Fund for Ireland, have had the opportunity to help deliver a better quality of life for the next generation.

“This project will help to tackle the social and economic problems that exist in this community. Alongside other Neighbourhood Renewal assistance, we are making real progress towards the regeneration of this part of North Belfast.”

Anne Henderson, Board Member of the International Fund for Ireland, which contributed £357,227 to the Project, said: “The Upper Ardoyne Community Partnership has shown great vision in the development of this project and today’s launch is testimony to their commitment and continued efforts to build community capacity and promote social and economic advance in Upper Ardoyne.

"When completed the new, high-quality, affordable community and retail units will provide the potential to attract start-up businesses and create new jobs which will help to strengthen and underpin community life in this part of North Belfast in the years ahead.

“The Upper Ardoyne Community Partnership Social Economy Project will have a positive and lasting impact long after the Fund ceases to exist.”

The project has been made possible through collaboration between the Department for Social Development, the International Fund for Ireland and the Upper Ardoyne Community Partnership.

Notes to editors:

1. The total project cost of developing the Upper Ardoyne Community Partnership Social Economy project is £830,760. DSD through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund committed £473,533, IFI contributed £357,227.
2. For media enquiries contact DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.