Three new parklets have been opened in Castlereagh, creating a welcoming space for visitors and supporting local businesses.

Located at Toasted Artisan Kitchen, Café Nosh and Little Thai, the parklets were developed under a new scheme supported with funding from the Department for Communities' Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme.

Under the new Parklet scheme, businesses will make use of new outdoor seating, developed outside of their premises.

These high quality, social spaces will allow businesses to operate safely and are also a unique way of creating a small oasis of natural calm in the midst of our busy urban realms. They will enhance local character and promote the contemporary environment that visitors and residents have come to demand.

Chair of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council's (LCCC) Development Committee, Ald Amanda Grehan, said: "As a council, we've been working with our towns and villages to support them in their recovery from the impact of Covid-19 and I'm delighted that Castlereagh has benefitted in such a practical way. These parklets will help hospitality businesses to operate safely and will go a long way in revitalising our hospitality industry."

-- Advertisement --

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey commented: "My Department introduced the Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme to support the recovery of our towns and city centres post pandemic. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council received over £1million through the programme and I hope that funding initiatives such as these alfresco parklets in Carryduff and Dundonald will encourage people back into our towns and city centres to spend time and to support our local businesses. This will ultimately contribute to the long term viability and prosperity of our towns and city centres." 

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon added: "Since becoming Minister I have made clear my desire to change the way we use our roads and streets and make sure they work for the whole community including residents and businesses alike. As part of my focus on green recovery, I am delighted that my Department is able to support Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to develop these innovative parklets and I look forward to seeing residents and visitors putting them to good use. They are great examples of how we can transform our public realm to offer thoughtful spaces that reflect the needs of people."