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Newry People’s Forum has published the report from its first public workshop which recorded 657 comments from around 200 people at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on 8 October. Planning and infrastructure was the top concern, followed closely by frustration with the council’s accountability and leadership. The Forum has now sent the report to every councillor and MLA representing Newry and asked each of them to respond. You can also view it below.
Brian Cleland, Chairperson of Newry People’s Forum, said the turnout showed how strongly people in the city feel.
“200 people turned up for our first public meeting on a wet Thursday night, with standing room only. That tells you how strongly Newry people feel about the state of our city. People are fed up with decline and with not being listened to, but they are also full of ambitious, exciting ideas. This report puts every one of those voices on the record. Now we expect the people who make decisions about Newry to read it and respond.”
The meeting was chaired independently by Eddy Curtis and was built around three questions. Those attending were asked what the main challenges facing Newry are today, what Newry should look like in ten years in an ideal world, and what the community can do to make things better.
On the first question, planning and infrastructure came out on top. People pointed to slow planning decisions, sewage capacity holding back development, parking, and poor public transport and taxis. Frustration with the council’s accountability and leadership was close behind, followed by dereliction in the city centre, the struggling local economy and nightlife, and the lack of facilities for young people.
Concern for Daisy Hill Hospital also came up repeatedly, as the Southern Trust considers temporarily suspending inpatient maternity services there.
When asked to picture Newry in ten years, people described a regenerated canal and waterfront, a revitalised Hill Street and a busy calendar of festivals. Above all, they said they wanted stronger civic leadership.
Most answers on what the community itself could do were about holding decision-makers to account. Suggestions included live-streaming council meetings, publishing how ratepayers’ money is spent, holding regular meetings between residents and councillors, and giving local people a direct say on key decisions.
A follow-up meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 29 October in the Canal Court, where working groups will be set up to act on the report’s key priorities.
Newry People’s Forum is an independent, non-partisan community organisation. Membership is open to anyone aged 18 or over living in Newry and the surrounding area, and local organisations can join as affiliated members. To get involved, email admin.newrypeoplesforum@gmail.com or follow the Forum on Facebook at facebook.com/newrypeoplesforum.
View or Download the report here: Newry People's Forum 2026
