Northern Ireland

£11m scheme launched to support villages, town and city centres in Covid-19 recovery

Junior Minister Declan Kearney and communities minister Carál Ní Chuilín at the launch of the Capital Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Scheme
Junior Minister Declan Kearney and communities minister Carál Ní Chuilín at the launch of the Capital Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Scheme Junior Minister Declan Kearney and communities minister Carál Ní Chuilín at the launch of the Capital Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Scheme

A £11 million scheme has been launched to support villages, town and city centres in their recovery from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sinn Féin's junior minister Declan Kearney and communities minister Carál Ní Chuilín and DUP environment minister Edwin Poots were in Antrim for the launch of the `Capital Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Scheme'.

Mr Kearney said it "will also be one of many town centres across the north set to benefit from this significant financial injection".

"Covid-19 has had a major impact on our town centres. Businesses have suffered a serious downturn in economic activity and are now facing the challenge of rebuilding trade while managing the public safety measures which are necessary to help us begin to emerge from the pandemic," he said.

"The funding, administered by our 11 local councils in two tranches of £6 million, and a subsequent £5 million, over the coming months, will deliver measures to help provide a safe and welcoming environment for shoppers, visitors and workers.

"As a result of the first funding tranche, Antrim and Newtownabbey council will receive £255,000. I want to see this funding used to assist in the revitalisation of towns and villages across South Antrim, and similar benefits accruing in Glenavy from the allocation awarded to Lisburn and Castlereagh council.

"I very much welcome this positive intervention which I hope will help to restore confidence in the shopping experience locally and also stimulate local businesses and retail activity."