Appendices - Armagh City and District Council

STAGE ONE REPORT
The Paul Hogarth Company
Evidence in support of an Armagh Masterplan
nearly doubled to £6.8m.
Trends
Given this and the overall growth in Regional tourism, the
town is likely to benefit from developing its Tourism offering.
Northern Ireland’s tourism sector is still relatively
undeveloped when compared to Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Therefore there is likely to continue to be further growth in the
sector. With local and regional strategies identifying tourism
as a key area for future growth, a new Masterplan for Armagh
needs to maximise the town’s offering and compliment
tourism attractions.
In addition, the growth in population experienced in recent
years, may also help to support an expansion in the Hotels
and restaurants sector, which is underrepresented in
employment terms when compared to the Northern Ireland
average.
Retail: As noted in the previous sector, Armagh has an
underdeveloped retail sector. The significant competition from
nearby urban centres has restricted the growth of retail
employment in the past. However there is scope for smaller
niche retailing to thrive in the area.
Future population trends in the area, combined with the likely
growth in tourism could provide increased demand for retail
and therefore support further growth in the sector.
Implications
economy. As such there
should be a particular focus
on developing the hotels
and restaurants sector.
Therefore a town centre
Masterplan should help to
build the retail offering in
the town.
Figure 2.4: Tourism trends in Armagh, 1995 – 2006
60,000
Armagh Trips
8
Trips
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
Armagh Spend (£ million)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
Spending (£ million)
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Source: NITB
Conclusion
43
2.16 In conclusion, Armagh and the regional economy are likely to face slower growth in the short
term. However over the medium to long term, there are a number of sectors which are likely
to experience growth, while more traditional sectors such as Agriculture and Manufacturing
are likely to continue their trend of shedding jobs.