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A newly established group, the Newry People's Forum is holding a public meeting at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on Thursday 8 October 2026 at 7.30pm to set out its concerns, and look for solutions to what it sees as the decline of Newry City.
The group is calling for urgent action from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, local politicians and the Northern Ireland Executive to address the decline. The Forum has been established as a platform for residents, local businesses and community organisations to highlight the issues affecting Newry and to develop practical proposals for the city's future. It says the city is facing a combination of challenges that can no longer be ignored, including declining footfall and a growing number of vacant premises, which it says is affecting the appearance and economic performance of the city centre. The Forum also points to a lack of major events and visitor attractions, a deteriorating public realm, and the under-utilisation of the Newry Canal and River, which it describes as a missed opportunity for tourism, business and environmental regeneration.
Further concerns raised by the Forum include a lack of investment compared with other towns and cities, the absence of meaningful and accessible business support programmes, and what it says is a lack of consultation with businesses and communities on decisions affecting the city. The proposed location and wider plans for the Civic Centre also require a fundamental rethink, the Forum says, along with proper public and business consultation. Recent flooding has further highlighted the vulnerability of parts of Newry and the need for a comprehensive flood prevention and infrastructure strategy, according to the group.
Local businessman Martin Hughes said the city needs a fundamental change in approach. "Newry City has been on a steep decline over this past number of years and our local Council and politicians have failed to acknowledge this. There is no City Strategy to address this decline and the Council has failed to attract investment similar to other areas.
"Enough is enough. We cannot continue to watch businesses struggle, premises remain empty, our public spaces deteriorate and opportunities for investment pass us by.
"Newry has enormous potential, but potential means nothing without leadership, investment and action.
"There is a need for a multidisciplinary, cross-party and cross-government departmental approach, working in partnership with the community and private sector, to develop a forward-thinking and innovative plan to regenerate Newry. This should not be about party politics. It should be about putting Newry first."
The Forum will use the public meeting to call for the development of a Newry City Regeneration and Investment Strategy, supported by all relevant stakeholders. It is proposing five priorities to form the basis of an immediate programme of action, beginning with a new, comprehensive and independently developed Newry City Strategy setting out a clear ten year vision for the regeneration of the city. It is also calling for a new investment and regeneration partnership involving the Council, local political representatives, Stormont departments, local businesses and the community sector to identify opportunities, along with an immediate city centre action plan to tackle vacant premises, improve the appearance of the city centre and attract new investment.
The Forum's remaining priorities are a major events and tourism programme, with a calendar of events designed to attract visitors from the island of Ireland and further afield, and a formal mechanism through which local businesses and community organisations can be consulted on major decisions affecting the future of Newry.
The Forum believes Newry has many significant advantages, including its strategic location, cross-border economy, business community, heritage, canal and river, surrounding landscape and strong community base, but says these assets must be properly developed and promoted if the city is to fulfil its potential.
"Newry deserves better," said Hughes. "This is not about talking Newry down. It is about recognising the problems honestly and coming up with practical solutions.
"We believe Newry can once again become a vibrant, ambitious and successful city. But that will require a completely different approach.
"We need everyone around the table, Council, politicians, government departments, businesses and the community, and we need to start delivering."
The public, local businesses, community and voluntary organisations are encouraged to attend the public meeting on Thursday 8 October 2026 at 7.30pm.
