21/06/2007

Minister praises Victoria Square milestone

The Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie today celebrated a key milestone for the Victoria Square Development Scheme with the completion of the superstructure of the 800,000 sq ft development.

At a ceremony held on site, she joined Multi-Development and Farrans Gilbert Ash to mark the occasion by placing the last piece of glass into the Victoria Square Dome.

She commented: “This is a decisive milestone. Victoria Square is already transforming the heart of the city. The glass Dome can now be seen from all angles in the city centre – already a truly iconic symbol of Victoria Square.”

The Department for Social Development selected the Victoria Square as a Comprehensive Development Scheme in July 2000. Since then, the Department has worked closely with the Developer, Multi Development, to assist with site assembly and to maximise the community and business opportunities that the scheme will bring.

The Minister said: “I am confident that this Scheme will make a difference to our city. The high quality retail and lively evening entertainment will not only attract Belfast residents but people from across the North and further afield.”

She concluded: “You only have to look around to see the skyline of cranes across the city to know that Belfast is being regenerated. My department is at the heart of this work, including on the £16 million ‘Belfast: Streets Ahead’ programme to make over the city streets and spaces. I want to see all this work bring Belfast into the premier league of European regional cities.

“This celebration has whet our appetite for what’s ahead and I look forward to the opening in March 2008.”

(JM)

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