SDLP Councillor John Boyle has welcomed the news that the Inner City Trust, with the support of the Department for Communities, have agreed to acquire the former Austin’s Department Store in Derry city centre.
Councillor Boyle, who is a member of the Austin’s Taskforce, said: “This is good news for our city in general and particularly good news for traders and businesses in the city centre.
“The former Austin’s building is an iconic and important part of the built heritage of our city centre and I welcome the news that there is an identifiable route to giving the building a new lease of life.
“It will be an enormous undertaking to breathe life back into the Austin’s building, but I am confident that the Inner City Trust, with their track record, are well placed to take the next steps to achieve that goal.
“It is pleasing to know that future generations will be able to enjoy the Austin’s building as much as countless others have in the past.
“I congratulate the Inner City Trust on having the courage, ambition and the vision to take the building forward into the future.
“The Inner City Trust has a brilliant reputation for rescuing, regenerating and reimagining older buildings and making them vibrant and viable again.
“As a buildings preservation trust their continued determination to regenerate the city centre and to make it an attractive place for local people and visitors alike is exemplary.
“I also pay tribute to and thank, on behalf of the people of Derry, the outgoing owners who, I know, did all that they could to retain the physical integrity of the building in order to save it for future generations.
“This is an exciting time for our city as we continue to see the realisation of our extensive City Deal projects and the expansion of our University campus at Magee College.
“I believe the Inner City Trust will continue to be a very important player in recognising the dreams and aspirations of a city and its people, playing an important role as our city moves onwards and upwards. Long may our ambitions as a city and people flourish.”
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