Project brings new life to the Hilden area

The project was managed by Lisburn City Council, local traders and the community.

Businesses and residents grouped together in a self-build community project in order to improve shop-fronts, clean up the area and paint and upgrade buildings. This included a colourful mural depicted at New Horizons Credit Union premises.

The project has received funding from the Council’s Economic Development Unit and from the Leisure Services Department, with match funding contributed from a number of businesses in the area.

Trish McCormick from Hilden Community Association said: “This project has been a real community effort, with input from the self-build social enterprise project and community volunteers, as well as a number of local traders who showed true commitment by donating their own money to the scheme.

“From overseeing the painting of the shops to preparations for the mural

“I would like to thank all of those who were involved in the project, with a special thank you going to Hilden Youth Initiative who designed the art which is now on the mural, reflecting the history and heart of the local communit.”

The scheme began during Councillor Jenny Palmer’s term as Chair of the Council’s Economic Development Committee and it was she who proposed the programme. The project has now concluded with the current Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, Alderman Allan Ewart, seeing the completion of the improvements.

Alderman Paul Porter in his role as Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee is associated with the overall scheme through the funding which has been provided through the Island Community Arts - Arts Encounters Programme. This aspect of the overall project involved Hilden Youth Initiatives who worked with the appointed artists on the mural of Hilden Mill.