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13/06/2011
McCausland Visits NI's 'Virtual Street'
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 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 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)
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Construction conference visits Northern Ireland
As part of an ongoing programme of information conferences, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is holding its first ever event in Northern Ireland. The half-day conference - which is being organised jointly with the Northern Ireland Timber Trade Association (NITTA) - will be held on Thursday 23 May at the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown.
Construction conference visits Northern Ireland
As part of an ongoing programme of information conferences, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is holding its first ever event in Northern Ireland. The half-day conference - which is being organised jointly with the Northern Ireland Timber Trade Association (NITTA) - will be held on Thursday 23 May at the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
