Business

HBO commitment to ABC Council 'adds to long list of reasons to invest'

Pictured at the Archbishop’s Palace in Armagh are Andrew Coggins, director at CBRE with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council mayor Julie Flaherty with the council's chief executive Roger Wilson and economic development and regeneration committee chair Paul Greenfield. Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
Pictured at the Archbishop’s Palace in Armagh are Andrew Coggins, director at CBRE with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council mayor Julie Flaherty with the council's chief executive Roger Wilson and economic development and regene Pictured at the Archbishop’s Palace in Armagh are Andrew Coggins, director at CBRE with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council mayor Julie Flaherty with the council's chief executive Roger Wilson and economic development and regeneration committee chair Paul Greenfield. Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

AMERICAN entertainment giant HBO’s decision to base the Game of Thrones formal studio tour in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough has further bolstered the area’s attractiveness to investors, the Council has said.

Speaking at an event in Armagh, Council leaders said plans for the ground-breaking visitor attraction at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge will shine a light on the borough, draw tourists and boost the local economy.

Mayor Julie Flaherty said: “The enormity of this commitment by HBO to Northern Ireland will be transformational, not just for Banbridge and our council area but will have a wider impact for Northern Ireland and beyond.

"The Game of Thrones brand is truly world renowned, and this project has the potential to attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to this area each year.”

Among the speakers was Leonie Oliva, one of the UK’s foremost experts on heritage-led regeneration and currently a senior director at commercial property agency GVA. She has 25 years of experience advising on complex planning projects and major planning applications for both public and private sector clients.

Councillor Flaherty said: “Leonie’s experience is particularly relevant considering the recent announcement of a £6.3 million investment that will transform Armagh’s historic city centre as part of a regeneration scheme to bring up to 30 iconic, but underused buildings back into full use, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

"There are also plans to regenerate Lurgan’s historic town centre, with £2 million being awarded in support of the Council’s proposals to restore and revitalise buildings within the town’s conversation area.

“Private sector investment in the area is evidenced by recent private sector investments such as Marks & Spencer’s announcement of a new store at Marlborough Retail Park in Craigavon, a store I will be opening next week.”

The focus of the event was to announce the council’s return to MIPIM UK in London later this month – the UK’s largest property and investment conference – where the Council will further its mission to drive investment and promote economic regeneration.

Councillor Paul Greenfield, chair of the economic development and regeneration committee at ABC Council, said: “Our attendance at this year’s MIPIM UK is tangible evidence of our commitment to securing further investment for our Borough across a range of sectors including commercial office, retail, hospitality and residential.

"I welcome the Council’s continued forward thinking at this time. It's encouraging to see investment in our borough is a priority for both the public and private sectors.”

Council chief executive Roger Wilson said: “This area has all the elements for a sound real estate investment, and then some. From a prime location to a vibrant economy, to realistically priced land and property, this borough has it all, along with one crucial element in the investment equation: value.

“The announcement by HBO has added to the area’s attractiveness, not just from a tourism point of view but by helping drive the local economy and making the area an even better place to live for everyone.

"MIPIM UK is a chance for us to actively promote the borough’s strong investment proposition and we know that we will receive a warm welcome from the market once again.

“It’s a great example of how we, as a council, are committed to acting as a partner to the private sector for the benefit of the borough’s economy and its people.”

The event also saw the launch of a market report by commercial property agents CBRE highlighting the key commercial property investment opportunities in some of the prime investment sites in the borough.

CBRE Capital markets director Andrew Coggins added: “It is vital for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, and indeed other councils across Northern Ireland, to carry out thorough research of the prime investment opportunities in their jurisdiction.

“This market report shines a spotlight on the borough for potential investors and will showcase it as being ripe for continued future investment.”