Town won't have accessto an information kiosk

Now Portadown's High Street Mall and Rushmere Shopping Centre are hosting the kiosks which provide a wealth of information for local residents.

Two kiosks had been up for grabs through a lease agreement with the Department of Environment (DoE).

The DoE had been working with a company called KDS in piloting the use of the kiosks as a communications tool in public venues which had significant levels of footfall.

The council's economic development department had co-ordinated discussions with KDS and the owners/managers of Rushmere, High Street Mall in Portadown. Lurgan Post Office and Tesco in the town.

Both Rushmere and High Street Mall had agreed to site a kiosk while Lurgan Post Office confirmed they would not consider the matter at the time.

According to minutes of the council's policy and resources committee numerous efforts had been made to instigate discussions with the commercial manager at Tesco but had not been able to establish contact.

At that meeting Councillor Mairead O'Dowd suggested the Ashburn Hotel and the railway station could be considered.

However, as the matter was urgent it was decided to move ahead with the Portadown and Rushmere sites.

The user-friendly kiosks will enable local residents to access instant comprehensive information for free by means of a 'touch-screen' computer.

Information which can be accessed at the kiosks includes Jobcentre online; Housing; Driver & Vehicle Agency; College information; ‘Access 2 Benefits’; ‘My group NI’; Tourism in Craigavon and Craigavon Borough Council’s website.

Developed by the Council’s Policy and Resources Department in partnership with the Development Department and with financial assistance from the Department of the Environment, the kiosks are located in Portadown’s High Street Mall, and Rushmere Shopping Centre.

Councillor Kenneth Twyble, Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, said: “These kiosks are a fantastic addition to the local community and will help the Council make a wide range of important information more readily available to local residents.

For further information, please contact Craigavon Borough Council’s Tourism Development Officer on 3831 2575 or email [email protected]