Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to announce two local community groups have been successful in securing £5,000 each towards the delivery of community markets within their small settlements.
Annahilt & Magheraconluce Community Association & Poundbridge and District Community Association have each been awarded funds that will allow them to establish their own community markets in their retrospective areas.
The awards form part of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s COVID-19 Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme funded through Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Department for Communities (DfC) and Department for Infrastructure (DfI).
Teresa O’Neill, Director of Rural Affairs in DAERA commented: “Today’s announcement shows the value of the Covid-19 Small Settlements Regeneration Programme and the difference it can make to address village regeneration in rural areas. The establishment of rural community markets also highlights what can be achieved when departments, agencies and councils work together and our ongoing commitment to investing in our towns and villages as they recover from the impact of the pandemic.”
Lynne McDonald, Deputy Director of the Regional Development Office in the Department for Communities, commented: “The Small Settlements Regeneration Programme has provided more than £26m to empower councils in revitalising the economies of our smaller rural towns and villages. Initiatives such as the establishment of Community Markets will help regenerate our smaller settlements by bringing neighbours together, supporting local businesses and preserving our cultural heritage. These vibrant hubs also nurture entrepreneurship by creating jobs and opportunities and will no doubt enhance the character of our small settlements.”
Councillor Thomas Beckett, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Committee at Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) said: “It is fantastic to see local groups establishing their own community markets. Markets give local food producers and other craftspeople an opportunity to sell their products and a place to meet new customers. Beyond that, markets also serve as a community hub, a place to meet, to catch up on news and of course are a catalyst to attract many new visitors to the local area.”
Councillor John Laverty BEM, Chair of LCCC’s Regeneration and Growth Chairman added: “It is fantastic to see another successful outcome from the Small Settlements programme. It is of vital importance to support our rural communities, providing them with new opportunities to strengthen community life and bring economic prosperity to their area. This Programme is one of a number run by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council that allow communities to drive prosperity.”
Annahilt & Magheraconluce Community Association will be hosting community markets from 10am on Saturday 16th September and Saturday 7th October at Annahilt Primary School.
Poundbridge and District Community Association will be hosting their community markets from 10am on Saturday 30th September and Saturday 21st October at Drumbo Orange Hall.