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The former Frontier cinema in Newry is seeking to begin a new story to boost the local high street ahead of other major investments in the city.
A busy schedule of development in the city includes mulit-million pound plans for a new theatre, public park, bridges and relief road, all of which are in various stages of progression.
In the south of the city a new ‘Frontier’ is looking to play its part in revitalising a forgotten side of Newry with a “blank canavas” to bring back to.
Husband and wife developers, Colin and Caoimhe O’Callaghan have set a huge goal with a key view to protect the heritage of the city and give back pride to the local area and are looking for expressions of interest in the project.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Colin said: “Passing this building most days, I had often wondered why nobody had ever tried to bring it back to life.
“Many in the town would have fond memories of coming to the Frontier for the latest movie to come to Ireland or playing bingo in the hall in its last years.
“My wife and I had refurbished an old listed building nearby and thought that we would like to try and refurbish this building too.”
Early concept designs for the Frontier building have shown the potential for office space to a music venue and even a restored theatre with many more possibilities to consider.
Colin added: “There are lots of new developments planned for Newry. There will be a new theatre on the other end of Hill Street, and a new public park just right on the doorstep of the Frontier itself.
“We think that the place has great potential and we have a blank canvas to work with as the building is not listed. We would like to see a whole new chapter turned for the Frontier.
“The possibilities for the building are almost limitless, and we’d be keen to hear any expressions of interest in the project.
“We would love to see the doors open as soon as possible, and create some vibrancy to this part of the city. We have seen various events running in Newry Variety Market nearby and think there might be further potential here.”
It is the heritage of the building dating back to the turn of the 20th century that the developers are keen to project back on to the foot of Hill Street.
Caoimhe said: “We are now at a stage where Newry is about to see great investment by the council in entertainment and leisure and the Frontier could play its part in the development of the city.
“At the same time, we want to make sure that the heritage from one of Newry’s more iconic buildings is being kept for the next generation.
“It is a prominent building in the history of Newry and we think it could have a great connection with the new city public park when it opens. We would love to see footfall and have this part of Hill Street booming again.”
