Business and community leaders call for urgent new strategy to regenerate Newry City
Public Meeting – Canal Court Hotel – Thursday 8 October 2026 – 7.30pm
The newly established Newry People’s Forum is calling time on what it describes as the abandonment of Newry city, and is demanding urgent action from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, local politicians and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The Forum has been established as a platform for local businesses, community organisations and residents to highlight the growing number of issues affecting Newry and to develop practical proposals for the city’s future.
A major public meeting will take place at the Canal Court Hotel at 7.30pm on Thursday 8 October 2026, with the Forum calling on businesses, community and voluntary organisations and members of the public to attend.
The Forum says Newry is facing a combination of challenges that can no longer be ignored.
THE ISSUES LAID OUT
– Declining footfall and vacant premises – The growing number of empty and closed shops is having a significant impact on the appearance and economic performance of the city centre.
– Lack of major events and visitor attractions – The Forum believes Newry needs a much more ambitious programme of events capable of attracting visitors, increasing footfall and supporting local businesses.
– Deteriorating public realm – Concerns have been raised about the condition and appearance of streets, public areas and other parts of the city.
– Newry Canal and River – The condition and under-utilisation of the canal and river represent a significant missed opportunity for tourism, business and environmental regeneration.
– Lack of investment – The Forum believes Newry has failed to attract the level of investment achieved by other towns and cities and that a new investment strategy is urgently required.
– Business support – Local businesses require meaningful and accessible support programmes designed around the realities facing businesses in Newry.
– Lack of consultation – The Forum believes businesses and communities must have a genuine voice in decisions affecting the future of the city.
– Civic Centre proposals – The proposed location and wider plans for the Civic Centre require a fundamental re-think, with proper public and business consultation.
– Flooding – Recent flooding has highlighted the vulnerability of parts of Newry and the urgent need for a comprehensive flood prevention and infrastructure strategy.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”
Local businessman Martin Hughes said the city needs a fundamental change in approach.
> “Newry City has been on a steep decline over this past number of years and our local Council and politicians have failed to acknowledge this. There is no City Strategy to address this decline and the Council has failed to attract investment similar to other areas.
>
> “Enough is enough. We cannot continue to watch businesses struggle, premises remain empty, our public spaces deteriorate and opportunities for investment pass us by.
>
> “Newry has enormous potential, but potential means nothing without leadership, investment and action.
>
> “There is a need for a multidisciplinary, cross-party and cross-government departmental approach, working in partnership with the community and private sector, to develop a forward-thinking and innovative plan to regenerate Newry.**
>
> “This should not be about party politics. It should be about putting Newry first.”
PEOPLE’S FORUM TO SET OUT FIVE KEY DEMANDS
The Newry People’s Forum will use the public meeting to call for the development of a Newry City Regeneration and Investment Strategy, supported by all relevant stakeholders.
The Forum is proposing that the following five priorities should form the basis of an immediate programme of action:
1. A NEW NEWRY CITY STRATEGY
A comprehensive, properly funded and independently developed strategy setting out a clear 10-year vision for the regeneration of Newry.
2. A NEW INVESTMENT AND REGENERATION PARTNERSHIP
The establishment of a partnership involving Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, local political representatives, Stormont departments, local businesses and the community sector to identify investment and regeneration opportunities.
3. A CITY CENTRE ACTION PLAN
An immediate action plan to tackle vacant premises, improve the appearance of the city centre, increase footfall, support existing businesses and attract new investment.
4. A MAJOR EVENTS AND TOURISM PROGRAMME
Newry needs a calendar of high-quality events throughout the year designed to attract visitors from across the island of Ireland and further afield.
5. A GENUINE VOICE FOR BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY
The Forum is calling for a formal mechanism through which local businesses and community organisations can be consulted on major decisions affecting the future of Newry.
“NEWRY DESERVES BETTER”
The People’s Forum believes that Newry has many significant.
ENDS