A plan to provide financial support to businesses in the Sandy Row area of south Belfast is in the works, with a funding scheme worth £200,000 being considered. This initiative is being led by Stormont’s Communities Minister, who has offered the money to Belfast City Council for the program. Concerns have been raised by local traders regarding decreased foot traffic as a result of the closure of Boyne Bridge and ongoing roadworks surrounding the new Grand Central Station public transport hub.
Following a motion put forward by city councillors from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to establish a task force to assist traders, the Communities Minister approved a “revitalisation scheme” aimed at enhancing business premises in the Sandy Row area. While the specifics of this scheme are still being developed, it is anticipated that grants will be distributed to businesses impacted by the closure of Boyne Bridge, which caused traffic congestion woes in the lead-up to Christmas.
Protests and demands for compensation ensued in response to the demolition of Boyne Bridge, with local businesses feeling the brunt of the traffic disruptions. Sandy Row traders conveyed their struggles at a council meeting, with one merchant likening the situation to being “worse than Covid.” DUP councillor Tracy Kelly, who spearheaded the formation of the task force, expressed deep apprehension over the decline in footfall and emphasized the necessity of external intervention to aid struggling businesses.
The efforts to support Sandy Row businesses are part of a broader revitalization initiative for the area, with plans for a future public realm scheme still in the pipeline. The aim of this revitalization scheme is to address the adverse effects felt by local businesses and to jumpstart economic recovery in the Sandy Row vicinity. Collaborative efforts between the Department for Communities, Belfast City Council, and other stakeholders are underway to iron out the details of the revitalization scheme, ensuring that financial aid reaches businesses in need
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