Minister talks regeneration for breakfast

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA has emphasised how urban regeneration must be linked to improving the local economy.

The Minister was the first guest at a Belfast business breakfast organised by International PR Company, Weber Shandwick.

Margaret Ritchie said: “Urban regeneration is one of many important paths in our route towards a shared culture and a shared future. When regeneration is done right, it transforms not just buildings and architecture, but the way people feel about public space and how we use it.

What I want to focus on today is my Department’s priorities for the successful regeneration of our towns and cities. I want to make the most of the benefits we have achieved in recent years.

If I can sum up my message to you, it is, that in today’s environment where the economy is the key political driver, social and environmentally-responsible urban regeneration must also be linked to improving the local economy.”

The Minister made it clear that the current economic climate presents a significant challenge for urban regeneration and said that she will continue to work to tackle disadvantage in Northern Ireland’s communities.

Weber Shandwick has offices across the UK and today’s meeting was the first business breakfast meeting addressed by a Northern Ireland Assembly Government minister.

The invited audience representing developers, planners, legal firms, financial institutions and the voluntary and community sector enjoyed the breakfast at the Belfast Holiday Inn.

Notes to Editors:

1. Weber Shandwick hosts informal breakfast meetings from time to time with leading public figures. Recently it welcomed the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Housing Minister to its London office to discuss topical issues in their departments.

2. For news media information, please contact Helen Mulholland, DSD information Office on 028 9082 9490 or out-of-hours contact the EIS Duty Press Officer

076 9971 5440.