New look for historic Kelly’s site

The temporary frontage depicting the building’s original appearance was erected around the derelict site over the weekend.

In a statement, Carrickfergus Borough Council indicated it had submitted a successful application for grant monies to the Department of the Environment for the project, which is one hundred per cent funded as part of the wider Dereliction Intervention initiative.

Welcoming the development was Mayor of Carrick, Alderman Billy Ashe. “I am delighted that we have managed to obtain funding from the DoE for the creation of this building wrap depicting an image of this historic site.

“Kelly’s coal yard is a listed building and is privately owned. We are working alongside a number of partners on a long term approach to the restoration of this building.

“In the short term, the wrap will help to improve the aesthetics of this key site and prevent further deterioration of the building as well as providing protection from falling masonry in strong winds until such times as the project is complete,” he said.

The new frontage has been put in place in advance of one of this year’s biggest events, the Giro d’Italia cycle race, which will pass through the town on Saturday May 10.

Meanwhile, Carrick Regeneration Partnership chair Robert Stewart indicated that a similar move is being considered for other prominent derelict buildings in the town.