Lisburn City Centre is experiencing a strong period of growth, as a number of new businesses set up shop and other established businesses continue to invest.
Alfredo’s Restaurant, Bob & Berts, Chouchou Café, Little French Barn, The Man Shack, Rose & Poetry Boutique, Sweet Street, The Pizza Base, Bar 15 and Shane Bennett Hairdressing are all choosing Lisburn City Centre as their destination of choice.
In total over £500k has been invested by the 10 businesses, creating over 100 local jobs with more forecast.
This is a positive step for the City and comes after the unveiling of the new public realm space within the Market Square area last November and the active drive to attract new business.
Following a £5million investment, in partnership with the Department for Social Development, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council undertook an extensive series of improvements and upgrades to the City Centre, supporting its drive to be known as the number one destination for both retail and private sector business in Northern Ireland.
From the outset, the Council’s vision was to create a world-class design with unique and interesting features introduced to showcase the retail and leisure offering within the City Centre and to help improve the visitor experience.
Speaking on the ongoing push to drive forward investment, growth and new business in Lisburn City Centre, Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Council’s Economic Development Committee, said: “The development of Lisburn City Centre’s public realm forms part of our long term, vision – addressing the challenges, responding to the new developments in the area, meeting the requirements of businesses, visitors and residents and ensuring that Lisburn City can achieve its true potential as one of Northern Ireland’s most vibrant, commercially successful cities.
“We strongly believe the extensive enhancement of the area has allowed us to present a compelling proposition for future investment.
“The fact that in the last month alone, over 10 businesses have set up in the City Centre and with others still in the early stages of planning, shows that Lisburn is being seen for its potential.
“We pride ourselves on the programmes put in place to help support small business owners and will continue to offer a variety of solutions to new and existing businesses. As with the new business generation, current businesses are also being encouraged to reinvest in their offering and futureproof their business.”
Speaking of the new businesses, The Man Shack, Shane Bennett Salon and Alfredo’s locating to Lisburn Square, in particular, and its continued revitalisation, Nicky McCollum, Development Director, Lisburn Square Ltd, said: “Lisburn Square is now establishing a core of very strong and popular brands among our tenants. We are delighted that CBRE have been able to deliver this letting for the scheme.
“Lisburn Square has become extremely successful in terms of the quality and diverse range of tenants we are attracting. There is a palpable momentum building for the Square as a strong location for eating, shopping and general leisure, and we have already seen a notable difference in footfall.”
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has a number of programmes in place to support new and expanding businesses. Its Business Solutions scheme for local start-ups, has designed and funded a comprehensive package of business support programmes and its team are actively working with various partners to improve access to other available support for local businesses: www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/business_solutions
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The Lisburn Enterprise Organisation also provides invaluable advice and support to new businesses and eager entrepreneurs within the Lisburn & Castlereagh area: www.lisburn-enterprise.co.uk
