South Belfast SDLP Councillor Kate Mullan has welcomed the £300,000 environmental facelift for the Ormeau Road.

A recent decision of Belfast City Council to approve a Department of Social Development £155,000 environmental and commercial improvement programme for the Lower Ormeau Road and Cromac Street will complement the Councils £150,000 'Renewing the Routes' scheme which is currently taking place from Annandale Embankment to the Rosetta Roundabout.

The Lower Ormeau improvement scheme will run from Cromac Street to Stranmillis Embankment. All costs associated with this project will be funded by DSD.

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She said: "This very positive scheme is welcome as it will bring a well needed boost to the local small businesses along this part of the Ormeau Road, particularly in this time of economic stress.

"The work has now begun and a number of shop fronts are getting fresh coats of paint and new signs are being installed. I am looking forward to when the shops and the other buildings benefiting from 'Renewing the Routes' will have their makeovers complete. Hopefully this investment along the Ormeau Road will inspire further transformation and regeneration for this major arterial route.

"Renewing the Routes is a Council funded commercial and environmental improvement works programme and is targeting over 30 businesses and buildings along the upper part of the Ormeau Road. The buildings will receive facelifts including painting, signage or lighting with the works being completed by Autumn 2013."

(CD/MH)