Magherafelt looks forward
The town at the foot of the Sperrins has strong ambitions for its economy.
Enjoying one of the most beautiful locations in Northern Ireland, the District of Magherafelt covers an area of 573 sq km, stretching from the shores of Lough Neagh in the east to the breath-taking Sperrin Mountains in the west. The district is steeped in history with many relics of the past scattered throughout its diverse landscape; ancient monuments, ruined churches, plantation towns and a diverse and unique cultural heritage.
Magherafelt is the largest town in the south of County Derry/Londonderry and is the social, economic and political hub of the Magherafelt District Council area. The central Diamond, which forms the lively and vibrant heart of the town, is thriving with fantastic award winning shops, restaurants and bars.
Boasting the newly refurbished Greenvale Leisure Centre, home to Northern Ireland’s first 50m swimming pool and Meadowbank Sports Arena, the largest indoor sports arena of its kind in Europe, the area is rich in both indoor and outdoor leisure facilities.
There are more exciting times ahead for Magherafelt with a wave of town centre regeneration projects planned in the near future.
Magherafelt Town Centre Masterplan
The Magherafelt Town Centre Masterplan was launched in July 2011 by Minister for Social Development Nelson McCausland. The Masterplan is a non-statutory document which will provide the basis for the Department for Social Development’s decision-making on the promotion, implementation and timing of urban regeneration initiatives in the town centre over the next 10-15 years. The vision set out in the masterplan is “Magherafelt a Vibrant, Thriving and Welcoming Town Centre”. The Masterplan consists of a range of proposals which are underpinned by four key themes: Growing the Retail Offer, Improving the Townscape Quality, Improving Accessibility and Building on the Leisure and Entertainment Offer.
A number of proposals which were outlined in the Masterplan are under way including Queen Street Revitalisation Programme, the development of a Public Realm Strategy and a Town Centre marketing initiative.
Queen Street Revitalisation Project
Magherafelt District Council secured £150,000 from the DSD to implement the Queen Street Revitalisation Project. Queen Street is the main route into Magherafelt on the A31 from Cookstown. It is a narrow street with high volumes of traffic passing along it each day. The street is made up of largely independently-owned businesses with a significant number being part of the night time economy and the services sector. There are a significant number of vacant units on Queen Street compared to other streets in Magherafelt. The experience for a pedestrian on Queen Street is difficult as there are narrow footpaths and significant clutter from A Boards signs on the street. The high volume of traffic also makes it difficult for pedestrians on Queen Street to cross the road.
Queen Street Revitalisation Project aims to improve the viability and sustainability of businesses on Queen Street, and improve the public perception and physical appearance of Queen Street. A small grant scheme has been rolled out offering up to £5,000 to businesses on Queen Street to carry out shop front improvements. This has been very successful with 39 applications being received and the funding fully committed for the scheme.
Public Realm Strategy
In August 2011 Magherafelt District Council appointed The Paul Hogarth Company to develop a Public Realm Strategy for Magherafelt Town Centre. Magherafelt Town Centre Public Realm Strategy endeavours to transform Magherafelt Town Centre and create new civic space, through delivery of the following objectives:
• Providing scope for exhibitions, events, outdoor performance, trading activities and open markets;
• Providing a high quality civic space for Town Centre workers, shoppers and tourists to relax, have lunch and spend time with family;
• Encouraging and facilitating pedestrian movement to and from car parks to shopping streets and other key town centre areas;
• Offering increased levels of footfall through the town centre and particularly through new areas of public open space and civic space;
• Encouraging existing property owners to invest in their premises, to further improve the attractiveness of the area; and
• Establishing a Town Centre Heritage Trail.
The Public Realm Strategy and accompanying economic appraisal will shortly be submitted to the DSD and the council is seeking funding to implement the plan.
Town Centre Marketing Initiative
Another recommendation from the Masterplan was to improve marketing and develop a brand for Magherafelt. Funding has been secured from the DSD to develop a number of marketing projects which will improve the public perception of Magherafelt Town Centre, improve the viability and sustainability of businesses in Magherafelt Town Centre and improve the experience for people using Magherafelt Town Centre. A new brand and three-year marketing strategy is being developed for the town centre as well as a free public Wi-Fi scheme being installed.
A state of the art smart phone business and tourism app is also being developed for the town centre. The app will act as a digital showcase for the town with a comprehensive local business directory and tourism guide. App users will receive free push notifications within the app relevant to the town including ‘deal of the day’, up and coming events, town vouchers or ‘what’s happening in the town tonight’. Augmented reality features will also allow users to point the app in a certain direction. Information will then be presented to them on that business and any associated information such as special offers, deals or media content such as a video showcase on the venue.
Economic Development
Magherafelt District Council helps businesses to grow and secure investment in the district. The Council encourages enterprise and creativity throughout the district to help make Magherafelt an attractive place to live in, invest in and visit. The following programmes are currently being delivered.
Food Business Development Programme
The Food Business Development Programme will be delivered over two years and will be targeted at food and hospitality businesses in the Magherafelt District Council area. The programme will aim to help food companies develop new products and increase their economic sustainability. The programme will develop links between local food producers and the hospitality industry, establish a food network, develop pilot food trails and build the local food calendar in the Magherafelt District. The programme will be targeted at non-Invest NI Clients and non-active Invest NI Clients across the Magherafelt District.
Enterprising Magherafelt
The Enterprising Magherafelt Programme is being delivered over three years and will identify and support businesses in the Magherafelt District with the potential to innovate, to become more competitive and grow to create more employment, wealth and spend in the local economy. The project will deliver practical support which will provide businesses with the skills and the confidence to maximise their probability of survival, sustainability and growth. The programme will be targeted at non Invest NI clients and non-active Invest NI clients across the Magherafelt District. The programme will be delivered over three cohorts, targeting 20 businesses per cohort. The project will include workshops, one-to-one mentoring, specialist mentoring, best practice visits, business audits and growth action plans.
For further information on any of these forthcoming initiatives, contact Davina McCartney, Economic Development & Regeneration Manager, Magherafelt District Council Tel: 028 7963 1510 or Email: davina.mccartney@magherafelt.gov.uk
