£111K facelift revitalises Coleraine's Railway Road

As part of the Coleraine Revitalisation Programme, Railway Place and part of Railway Road have received a much-needed facelift, with the aim of increasing footfall and economic activity.

Work began on the project, facilitated by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (CCGBC), in November 2015, and was completed in March 31.

The improvements include enhancing shop fronts, replacing signage and rainwater goods, as well as promoting the area. A colour brochure – in print and digital form - featuring case studies of the businesses has also been produced alongside other marketing activities, with various limited special offers in the printed version.

The aim is to make Railway Road more appealing to both visitors coming from the bus and railway station, and to locals, as well as helping to sustain the businesses trading there.

The scheme follows on from previous similar projects in Coleraine, including one completed in the Waterside and Bridge Street area as part of the Coleraine Town Centre Masterplan in 2013. It is hoped the cash injection will ultimately give a boost to the area and encourage further private sector investment.

Economic Development Officer, Town Management at Coleraine, Julienne Elliott, said: “We’ve created a useful space that’s clean and more pleasant to walk through – with a very different ambience. Feedback so far has been very positive, not just with regards to getting the work done to the front of premises, but in creating a buzz about the area.

“I think Railway Road is a unique area for Coleraine in terms of the variety of services available. There’s a choice of hairdressers and pubs and we’ve also got insurance businesses, dentists, takeaways and so on. You can get anything on Railway Road. It really is a vital part of the town.”

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan, added: “I am delighted to see the transformation that this Revitalise

Programme has brought to this area of Coleraine town centre. The Coleraine Revitalise Programme for Railway Road Area, funded by the Department for Social Development and Council, shows how partnership working across the agencies, along with local business participation, can bring a positive vibe to an area.

“A total of 22 properties have taken part in the programme and, along with work to enhance the frontage to Railway Place car park, this helps to create awareness of the great variety of businesses that operate in the Railway Road area. Council would like to thank the Department for Social Development for their support and to all the members of the steering group who assisted Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in facilitating this worthwhile programme.”