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An online Public information event on the proposed theatre and conference facility at the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and Newry Town Hall is taking place on Wednesday 16 February at 6pm.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s design team led by Hamilton Architects is seeking feedback on the proposed theatre and conference facility in Newry. The process is part of preparing for a planning application and will be live on the project portal WWW.NEWRYTHEATRECONSULTATION 16 Feb, You can also check out further information on the website. A second event is also planned. The project portal is open for two weeks and will close on the 24 February 2022.
The proposed new facility aims to transform this area of the City. The new multi-functional venue will comprise works to the existing Town Hall, create a new flexible theatre auditorium (Circa 260 seats) and studio space on the location of the present Sean Hollywoods Arts Centre, associated café bar facilities and an external events and public realm space with a flood alleviation scheme also incorporated.
Co-chair of the Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme Board, Cllr Roisin Mulgrew said, “We’re excited to see the proposed theatre and conference centre take another step towards delivery, this new facility will be transformative for the area, creating a range of new spaces for events and performances and helping to reinforce Newry as a destination city.”
The new facilities will attract a range of touring productions and shows, and the proposed facility has been welcomed by representatives in the arts sector.
A representative from c21 theatre company said, “We, at c21, are delighted to hear that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is in the process of building a brand-new arts centre in Newry City. As a professional touring company, we have been regular visitors to the Arts Centre and have played to many a sold-out show over the years. We are excited at the prospect of including Newry Theatre Conference Centre on our touring schedule in the years to come”.
Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer at the Lyric Theatre said, “Having this new vibrant centre in Newry is an exciting opportunity to showcase local work and inspire the new generation of arts talent in all corners of Ireland. The Lyric looks forward to treading the boards in the years to come.”
The new facility will incorporate enhanced performance spaces for the home-grown theatrical talent in Newry and will also cater for the growing business base by providing a unique venue for business conferences and events, reinforcing Newry’s strategic location along the Belfast Dublin economic corridor.
Councillor Gary Stokes who co-chairs the NCCR Programme Board said, “This is another really positive step in our regeneration programme, these facilities aim to increase leisure and business visitors to Newry, helping to drive footfall that will grow our local economy for the benefit of Newry and the entire district.”
The Newry City Centre Regeneration programme is a series of projects that seek to invest within the historic core of Newry to create new places, increase footfall and vibrancy, and stimulate and facilitate the further regeneration for the benefit of the City and wider district.
As well as the Theatre proposals the programme comprises a new Civic & Regional Hub, associated public realm around each of these facilities, and a fund which will facilitate the development of grade A office accommodation. The programme also includes the 15 acre Albert Basin Park, a proposal to create a new city park for attracting investment and tourism, sustaining the environment and improving the physical and mental wellbeing of the districts citizens.
The programme of works is valued at £59m+, comprising funding from Council, the Department for Communities (DfC), the Belfast Region City Deal and in due course the private sector.
