The Company that owns The Quay Shopping Centre – UGP Newry limited has gone into administration putting the future of the Quays at risk.
The Quays has had a high vacancy rate over the last five years following the collapse of Debenhams which has left a major unit empty even today.
This comes on top of an already declining high street in Newry. This can be seen by the number of prominent shops that have been left derelict such as the old Dunnes on O’Hagan street and Lidl on Abbey Way.
People Before Profit have made calls amongst others locally that the government & local council should intervene to stabilise the Quays. There are a number of projects locally that could make use of this space such as the proposed civic centre. Using the already existing space in the quays would help lower the cost of projects requiring new buildings and increase footfall in the Quays supporting business already there and attracting new businesses. It would also avoid potential costs from running afoul of the Climate Act and lengthy legal battles on judicial review.
People Before Profit Rep Newry & Armagh representative Marc Mac Seáin comments:
“We could step in to use vacant buildings in the Quays for something productive with Newry. It could be used by the council for the costly Civic centre that many locally have objected to, or for medical purposes such as providing a facility for the Southern Trust, maybe even for the Health Hub that was meant to open over 10 years ago but has since completely stalled.
“Such proposals would have the added benefit of bringing further footfall to Quays generally, alongside fighting the blight of dereliction & potentially reducing costs in climbing rates bills which are being lumped onto workers.
Government should do everything in its power to fight against the dereliction seen across Newry.”
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 