There has been praise for plans announced by NI Social Development Minister Alex Attwood to provide greater powers to local councils and businesses to improve their own town centres.

SDLP Upper Bann MLA, Dolores Kelly said: "I welcome Minister Attwood's proposals to introduce Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to our towns and cities. Vitally, it will provide for greater powers and control for councils and local businesses.

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"Businesses in our town centres have felt neglected and under threat from out-of-town shopping centres. This is great news. It will bring life back to our town centres and make them places in which people can work, shop and live once again."

She continued: "Powers must continue to be devolved to those best placed to use them and it is vital to ensure projects such as the development of town centres are delivered in a coordinated and cost-effective manner.

"In cases such as this, it is clear that local councils and businesses are best placed to deliver on local improvements," she said.

(NS/BMcC)