13/06/2011
NI's First 'Virtual Street' Activated
Co Tyrone has gone high-tech with news that the Stormont Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland, has visited Northern Ireland's first 'virtual' street.
Perry Street in Dungannon has been transformed from a run down terrace of derelict and boarded up properties into a living street, complete with new and inviting 'interiors' seen through the refurbished shop windows.
The Virtual Window Scheme involves the painting and tidying up of derelict properties and the installation of pictorial scenes into boarded-up window openings to create a 'living' appearance and street scene.
Speaking during his visit, Minister McCausland (pictured) said: "This work has provided an enormous uplift to what had been a very run-down street scene.
"While I appreciate this is a short term solution, it does make the street much more welcoming to visitors. Hopefully it will increase footfall and act as a precursor to the eventual redevelopment of the street.
"My Department intends to include similar schemes, where appropriate, in its list of options for town centre regeneration initiatives across the Province."
Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council's Mayor, Cllr Kenneth Reid, believes that this step into the future is a huge step in the right direction for Dungannon.
He said: "The images disguise parts of the street, giving the impression the units are occupied, and present an impression of what Perry Street could look like if fully redeveloped and occupied.
"Only on closer inspection do passers by realise that the frontages are fake, and that there is a storyboard about the project. This is an exciting and unique approach to attracting investment and one which is brand new to Northern Ireland."
Passers by will see colourful shops, galleries, cosy houses and restaurants, and the sharp-eyed might also spot a cat and dog peeping out of the windows. Visitors are invited to find the butterflies, a symbol of the rebirth and rejuvenation of Dungannon’s Town Centre, hiding in the shop windows.
The virtual street scheme will be followed up shortly by the start of the first phase of a major Public Realm scheme in Market Square, Church Street and Irish Street, Dungannon.
(GK/KMcA)
Perry Street in Dungannon has been transformed from a run down terrace of derelict and boarded up properties into a living street, complete with new and inviting 'interiors' seen through the refurbished shop windows.
The Virtual Window Scheme involves the painting and tidying up of derelict properties and the installation of pictorial scenes into boarded-up window openings to create a 'living' appearance and street scene.
Speaking during his visit, Minister McCausland (pictured) said: "This work has provided an enormous uplift to what had been a very run-down street scene.
"While I appreciate this is a short term solution, it does make the street much more welcoming to visitors. Hopefully it will increase footfall and act as a precursor to the eventual redevelopment of the street.
"My Department intends to include similar schemes, where appropriate, in its list of options for town centre regeneration initiatives across the Province."
Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council's Mayor, Cllr Kenneth Reid, believes that this step into the future is a huge step in the right direction for Dungannon.
He said: "The images disguise parts of the street, giving the impression the units are occupied, and present an impression of what Perry Street could look like if fully redeveloped and occupied.
"Only on closer inspection do passers by realise that the frontages are fake, and that there is a storyboard about the project. This is an exciting and unique approach to attracting investment and one which is brand new to Northern Ireland."
Passers by will see colourful shops, galleries, cosy houses and restaurants, and the sharp-eyed might also spot a cat and dog peeping out of the windows. Visitors are invited to find the butterflies, a symbol of the rebirth and rejuvenation of Dungannon’s Town Centre, hiding in the shop windows.
The virtual street scheme will be followed up shortly by the start of the first phase of a major Public Realm scheme in Market Square, Church Street and Irish Street, Dungannon.
(GK/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 November 2024
DAERA Minister Confirms Commitment to Deposit Return Scheme
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has reaffirmed his commitment to introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Northern Ireland. The DRS is designed to encourage recycling by offering a monetary incentive for returning single-use drinks containers. The scheme will cover PET plastic, steel, and aluminium containers ranging from 150ml to 3 litres.
DAERA Minister Confirms Commitment to Deposit Return Scheme
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has reaffirmed his commitment to introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Northern Ireland. The DRS is designed to encourage recycling by offering a monetary incentive for returning single-use drinks containers. The scheme will cover PET plastic, steel, and aluminium containers ranging from 150ml to 3 litres.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
06 August 2024
Traffic And Travel Advice Ahead Of Apprentice Boys Of Derry Parade
The PSNI have issued traffic and travel advice ahead of a planned Apprentice Boys of Derry (AboD) parade taking place in the L'Derry on Saturday, 10 August.
Traffic And Travel Advice Ahead Of Apprentice Boys Of Derry Parade
The PSNI have issued traffic and travel advice ahead of a planned Apprentice Boys of Derry (AboD) parade taking place in the L'Derry on Saturday, 10 August.
21 March 2022
Dept Makes Contact With People Eligible For HSH Remedy Payments
Emails have begun to be sent to all those potentially eligible for a remedy payment under the High Street Scheme, the Department for the Economy has announced.
Dept Makes Contact With People Eligible For HSH Remedy Payments
Emails have begun to be sent to all those potentially eligible for a remedy payment under the High Street Scheme, the Department for the Economy has announced.
13 December 2021
Last Week To Use Spend Local Cards
With the High Street Scheme set to close at midnight on 19th December, the Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has urged anyone with funds remaining on their card to "use it now". The Minister said: "Time is running out. There are just days left before the scheme closes on 19 December.
Last Week To Use Spend Local Cards
With the High Street Scheme set to close at midnight on 19th December, the Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has urged anyone with funds remaining on their card to "use it now". The Minister said: "Time is running out. There are just days left before the scheme closes on 19 December.