Debate contribution: High Street and Town Centre Rejuvenation

Debate contribution by Mr Colin Crawford on 4 November 2024.

MLA: Mr Colin Crawford
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 4 November 2024
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: High Street and Town Centre Rejuvenation
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4625979

Text

Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Today, we gather with a shared purpose and, hopefully, as the junior Minister said, cross-party support to breathe new life into our high streets and towns right across Northern Ireland. Those vibrant hubs are not just places of commerce but the beating hearts of our communities, where culture, connection and commerce all come together. We must embrace the opportunity to rejuvenate such vital spaces, ensuring that they thrive for generations to come. Our high streets have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years. The impact of the pandemic has shaken the foundations of our local economies, with many well-known shops and businesses forced to close their doors, yet, from these challenges arise a unique opportunity: a chance to reassess, reinvent and revitalise. To rejuvenate our high streets, we must address the issue of long-term derelict buildings, which are detrimental to town centre developments. Many of the proud buildings that once held the stories of our past and that fostered trade and community today lie empty, crumbling and forgotten, casting a shadow over the vibrant spirit that they aspired to cultivate in our towns. However, I want not only to highlight the problem but to ignite a conversation about the solutions. We cannot let such buildings continue to blight our communities. We must act decisively and collaboratively to breathe new life into those spaces. First and foremost, we need a comprehensive strategy that prioritises the identification and assessment of derelict buildings across our towns. We must work closely with councils and stakeholders to create inventories of the properties and to develop plans for their rehabilitation. Through partnerships with the property owners, developers and public agencies, we can facilitate the transformation of neglected spaces into valuable assets. Secondly, we must tap into our shared heritage. Many of the buildings are historic treasures, and their restoration can be an opportunity to celebrate our culture while also boosting tourism. By promoting schemes that encourage the restoration of heritage buildings, we can foster community involvement and pride and, in the process, create job opportunities. The rejuvenation of our high streets is an opportunity to celebrate our heritage, to foster community spirit and to create spaces that reflect our collective identity. Northern Ireland is rich with culture, talent and potential. Let us unite in our efforts to revitalise those cherished spaces, ensuring that they remain vibrant for years to come. We will support the motion and the amendments.

409 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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