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No bookings will be taken for Newry Town Hall beyond December 2023 due to planned work at the proposed Theatre/ Conference centre on the site of the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. The minutes of the last Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme Board meeting held 23 March 2023, just before Council got into election mode explain that the expected timeline for planning for the facility was August and that if targets on planning and procurement etc are met construction will begin on the Theatre/ Conference facility in early 2024.
Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Director Conor Mallon said that as a result of that It is necessary not to take any future bookings for Newry Town Hall or Arts Centre beyond December 2023 and that user groups will be advised in advance and alternative venue's will be offered. Officers were asked to monitor the planning progress and advise if it appears delays are likely. If delays happened it could potentially enable users to use the facility in early 2024.
Cllr Pete Byrne, Chairman said he had been approached by an arts representative enquiring if there would be a dedicated gallery space to display art in the new facility, something that many in the arts community in Newry have pointed out is severely lacking in current plans.
Conor McGeown, Strategic Capital Projects Manager said that confirmed spaces had been identified withing the new Theatre and in addition to the atrium area, flexible spaces would also be available in the Town Hall and Conference facility. Whether that means a proper dedicated gallery space has now been found and will form part of the build is still unclear.
