Newry and Mourne District Council

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Newry City Centre Strategic Development Framework March 2004 S 21% strongly agree ‘City centre shops generally offer friendly service’ Various statements were rated ‘strongly disagree’ by a significant number of respondents. They are as follows. S 61% strongly disagree ‘the city centre is attractive in the evenings and weekends’ S 58% strongly disagree ‘there are regular events which fill the streets with people’ S 57% strongly disagree ‘there are visible cycle racks in key locations’ S 53% strongly disagree ‘there are good guides publicising the city’ S 50% strongly disagree ‘the police are involved in initiatives to make the centre safer and to cut crime’ S 50% strongly disagree ‘all traders share the burden equally of promoting the city centre Respondents were given the opportunity to expand on the above statements or any other matters. 24% responded producing 43 comments. The issue of the market featured most frequently. These responses are shown below. Market: S 1% said redevelopment of the market was badly thought out and incomplete S 1% said there appears to be no effort made to promote the market S 1% said the market is badly managed and is a lost opportunity in attracting tourists S 1% said the market is a facility which is vastly under used S 1% of respondents said nothing is done to encourage new stall holders to the market Other responses: S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S 1% said there is a good provision of parking in Newry 1% commented on HGV’s still driving through Newry instead of using the by-pass 1% said money should be invested into developing Hill Street and Monaghan Street 1% said the Council must be pro-active in developing the masterplan while a further 1% said the masterplan must be organised in a sustainable manner 1% said some parking restrictions are not well highlighted 1% said Hill Street footpath is in bad condition 1% said there is too much emphasis on alcohol related entertainment 1% said the city centre needs to host more events 1% suggested a multi-storey car park in the Sugar Island vicinity 1% said small businesses are struggling to match wages of the multi-national companies 1% said there are too many retail outlets and not enough housing 1% questioned where the city centre of Newry is 1% said sandwich boards are illegal and dangerous 1% commented on the litter levels on Hill Street 1% said ‘this is the first time in 4 years that we have been consulted on these issues’ 1% suggested installing CCTV for the protection of traders and the general public 1% traffic congestion is a major problem at weekends 1% said rates are too high in Newry 1% of respondents highlighted the need for an adventure playground in Newry 1% suggested covering the canal and the river to improve the area 1% commented on the cobbled streets and high curbs and cited they are not wheelchair friendly S 2% said co-operation is needed at all levels to encourage and facilitate any development while a further 1% said people tend to ‘bury their heads in the sand’ S 1% said drunks and beggars put people off going down Hill Street and a further 1% said action should be taken to remove drunks from Newry S 2% said police presence is practically non-existent, another 1% said Newry needs a regular police presence on Hill Street while a further 1% said police are unable to patrol properly. Another 1% said they do not feel safe at night due to the lack of policing in the centre S 1% said anti-social behaviour could be curtailed in Marcus Square and a further 1% commented that vandalism and general anti-social behaviour are problems throughout the city S 1% said vacant property is a problem S 1% said there are no activities for teenagers S 1% said cheque fraud is a huge problem 2.5 Question 10 (a) asked traders to outline any plans they may have to refurbish or develop their premises. 28% of Newry traders responded; responses given are shown below. S 7% are planning major refurbishment S 4% have recently refurbished S 3% of respondents said they are getting new shop signs and painting the exterior of their premises S 2% said they are considering a possible new shop front S 2% of respondents are going to paint the exterior of their premises S 2% recently acquired new premises and plan to refurbish S 1% have outline plans for a cosmetic external upgrade S 1% of respondents are considering making changes to the exterior of premises S 1% said they are refitting their shop before Christmas Ferguson McIlveen in association with Mentor and Scott Wilson Page No. 42
Newry City Centre Strategic Development Framework March 2004 S 1% are getting a new shop front inclusive of lighting and window graphics S 1% of respondents are planning to extend their premises S 1% said the back section of their premises will be demolished S 1% said they have developed their business through increased advertising in recent times. S 1% are currently seeking new premises 2.6 Question 10 (b) asked traders if they ever had any plans fettered or refused in the past. If yes, they were asked to outline barriers experienced. 5% responded with the following statements. S 1% said limited financial assistance through IFF urban development has caused problems in the past. S 1% said the Environmental Heritage Service policies have impinged upon their plans as they operate from a listed building S 1% said DOE has curbed their plans in the past. S 1% said ‘lack of grant aid’ has restricted development. 2.7 Question 11 consisted of four parts. Respondents were asked what specifically they would like to see done to improve the city centre in each of the following areas: ‘the physical appearance’, ‘the marketing and promotion of the city centre’, ‘the management of traffic and finally, ‘the encouragement of cultural or festival activities in the city centre’. 2.7.1 64% commented on the physical appearance of Newry generating 46 comments in total. S 6% of respondents suggested more flowers, trees, seating and paving would make Newry appear more attractive while a further 1% said Newry city’s appearance is all the time improving with new floral areas S 5% said to improve Newry the streets and footpaths would need to be kept litter free. On the same issue a further 1% said fast food outlets and hotels must take responsibility for litter. 1% of respondents suggested employing a litter warden for the area S 5% suggested improving and developing the canal as an attraction S 2% said both Mary Street and Mill Street need improved and a further 1% commented that Newry would benefit from Monaghan Street being upgraded and Canal Street being cleaned up and rebuilt. Another 1% said Patrick Street is in need of immediate attention S 2% said the problem of derelict property needs to be addressed, and a further 1% said in particular boarded up housing sets a bad impression of Newry S 2% said Newry needs more bins in general S 2% said something must to be done to make Hill Street come alive after 6pm. 1% of respondents suggested more city centre housing would bring the centre alive S 2% of respondents said all property holders must take responsibility for keeping them in good condition S 2% suggested providing grant aid to property owners to improve appearance of their premises and a further 1% said some incentive should be given to traders to develop their property S 1% said graffiti should be removed and new street lighting is needed for Newry. A further 2% suggested improving street lighting in general in the city. Another 1% would like more energy efficient lighting S 1% of respondents said the appearance of second floor property should be improved and a further 1% suggested developing vacant upper floors under a tax incentive scheme S 1% said the footpaths should be improved and a further 1% suggested steam hosing footpaths to improve appearance S 1% said Newry needs good signage to affirm the city’s identity while 1% said Newry’s appearance would benefit from clear signage to main shopping streets S 1% suggested looking to other towns for ideas to improve Newry S 1% would like more office units situated on the main streets to improve appearance S 1% said visible empty workspaces give a bad impression of Newry S 1% said to improve the physical appearance of Newry there should be less graffiti, beggars and canvassers on the street S 1% of respondents would like more pedestrian areas S 1% said immediate attention should be given to the St Christopher’s Park area S 1% said traders should be given help to clean streets and buildings and to remove graffiti S 1% said Newry city needs a public space for events S 1% of respondents suggest developing the post office S 1% said the travellers site must be cleaned up in order to improve appearance of Newry S 1% would like closed shutters removed front shop fronts to help improve appearance S 1% said the physical appearance of the Dublin Road and the train station gives a bad impression to tourists S 1% said the rates are too high outside of the shopping centres S 1% highlighted that dog fouling is a major problem S 1% would like the old railings behind traffic lights removed and replaced with something more attractive S 1% commented that the appearance of Bridge Street has improved of late 2.7.2 39% commented on the marketing and promotion of the city centre and this generated 29 comments in total: S 6% of respondents see a need for more T.V adverts regarding shopping and nightlife Ferguson McIlveen in association with Mentor and Scott Wilson Page No. 43
Page 2 and 3: CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 CONSU
Page 4 and 5: Newry City Centre Strategic Develop
Page 56: Newry City Centre Strategic Develop

Newry and Mourne District Council

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?