Portrush Regeneration Programme
In January 2017 the Department announced the launch of a Portrush Regeneration Programme. This £17m Executive-endorsed initiative involves a major programme of capital works to help regenerate the town in the run up to and beyond the 148th Open, which was held at Royal Portrush Golf Club in July 2019.
The Portrush Regeneration Programme has helped to transform the town into a successful, high-quality resort recognised as a centre for tourism services, activities and international events on the North Coast. Whilst the majority of work was completed in June 2019, some work will continue after this time to ensure a lasting legacy and Portrush is positioned to maximise the economic return that this regeneration investment will deliver.
The Portrush Regeneration Programme involved a number of key projects which are detailed below.
Public Realm Project
The Portrush Public Realm project complemented other recent public realm investment in the town, including at Station Square, the East Strand and the West Bay promenade. It helped to transform the seaside town with high-quality granite paving and other contemporary surfaces, new street furniture, signage and lighting, as well as improving pedestrian connectivity and safety with new puffin crossings at key points in the town.
This element of the Regeneration Programme was led by the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, funded by the Department. Further information is available on the Councils website;
Train Station Redevelopment
The redevelopment of Portrush train station was one of the key regeneration initiatives for the town. It has provided modern facilities, which will cater for the growing numbers of passengers using Portrush Train Station. This element of the Regeneration Programme was led by Translink, funded by the Department and the Department for Infrastructure.
The new station offers fully accessible, modern waiting facilities and improved passenger information and signage. The bright new frontage onto Eglinton Street creates a vibrant and welcoming sense of arrival to the town as a key gateway to the whole Causeway Coast.
Further information is available on Translink website;
Urban Development Grant Scheme
Urban Development Grants (UDG) are discretionary grants provided to help bring vacant, derelict or under-used land and buildings back into use.
The Portrush-specific UDG scheme is one of the key regeneration measures that has been identified as being crucial to the town’s long-term regeneration. This grant funding, provided by the Department, will encourage the redevelopment of sites and properties within the town centre, creating jobs, improving the built environment and, crucially, helping to unlock private sector investment. The UDG scheme will help to leave a lasting legacy for Portrush.
Find out more about Urban Development Grants;
ReVitalise Scheme
The Portrush ReVitalise scheme was aimed at supporting traders with grants of up to £5k to improve their building frontages, increasing the attractiveness of the area to residents and visitors alike. This scheme was administered by the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, funded by the Department. It complemented the Public Realm and UDG works, and it will also stimulate private sector investment through a 10% trader contribution.
Further information and application details are available on the Council’s website;
Parking Facilities and other regeneration initiatives
The Department, in conjunction with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, has explored options for additional parking during major events in Portrush.
The Dunluce Avenue Car Park received a significant upgrade in early 2019, with a funding contribution from the Department. This has increased overall capacity, improved safety and provided additional Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant spaces.
Additionally, work at West Bay Green, to create an events space, was fully funded by the Department as part of the regeneration programme. An old sunken seating area was levelled to create a useable, grass-covered events space that can also facilitate temporary parking during major events. A second seating area has been retained and refurbished in keeping with the public realm work elsewhere in the town.
Email updates
Regular updates were provide to subscribed stakeholders during the Programmes main period of activity. The last and final update was issued on 1 October 2019.
Subscriber details were collected and held by the Department for Communities and will not be used for any other purpose.
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