Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has confirmed the appointment of Woodvale Construction Company to deliver its new Theatre and Conference Centre, marking a key delivery milestone in the Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme. Supported by the Belfast Region City Deal and the Shared Island Initiative, the contract appointment advances a flagship cultural asset intended to underpin city centre renewal and wider economic growth.

Under the scheme, Woodvale will refurbish the Grade II-listed Newry Town Hall and construct a new multi-functional venue on the neighbouring Sean Hollywood Arts Centre site. The two buildings will be connected by a glazed atrium and operated as a single destination, enhancing capacity and flexibility for performance, conferencing and community use.

The existing 460-seat Town Hall theatre will be complemented by a new 255-seat auditorium offering multiple configurations and state-of-the-art audio-visual and performance systems. In conference mode, the auditorium can accommodate up to 315 seats. A new public realm performance space to the rear aims to catalyse activity and investment across the Sugar Island area.

A period of pre-construction activity will now commence, with main construction targeted to begin in the summer. The Council expects the centre to complete and open to the public in spring 2028. In parallel, the Council and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) are jointly progressing the design of an element of the wider Newry Flood Alleviation Scheme to support delivery of the broader programme under development by DfI.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA said: "I welcome the appointment of a contractor for the new Theatre and Conference Centre and congratulate all involved in getting to this stage. My department is committed to the development of our cities, towns and villages and welcomes the significant opportunities now open to Newry following this major investment into its cultural infrastructure."

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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Philip Campbell said: "I am delighted we have reached the stage of contractor appointment. I look forward to the new Theatre and Conference Centre in Newry delivering a vibrant programme of events for both residents and visitors. Our district is renowned for producing exceptional acting talent that has gone on to succeed on the world stage. Newry's proud theatrical legacy will continue, as a new generation of young performers, supported by their mentors, develop their passion for theatre in state-of-the-art facilities."

Cllr Campbell continued: "The Theatre and Conference Centre will also help increase footfall in Newry City and support the night-time economy. Over the next decade the Newry City Centre Regeneration programme will strengthen Newry's role within the Belfast-Dublin Economic Corridor, building on its strategic location and offering sustainable growth within the city and across the district."

Robert Ewing, Managing Director of Woodvale Construction said: "We are proud to deliver this landmark project for Newry. This is part of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of the city, and we are committed to working closely with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to deliver high-quality, sustainable infrastructure that reflects the ambition of the district. As construction of the Theatre and Conference Centre gets underway, we look forward to creating local employment, supporting local supply chains and playing our part in building a prosperous future for Newry."

Valued at £21.3 million, the Theatre and Conference Centre forms part of a wider £64.4 million investment in Newry City Centre that also includes the 15-acre Newry City Park, new public realm, an office accommodation fund and a Civic and Regional Hub. The programme is expected to generate skilled and semi-skilled construction employment, create supply chain opportunities for local contractors and service providers, and, post-completion, support sustained job creation across retail, hospitality, the creative industries and public services.

Co-Chairs of the Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme Board, Councillors Declan Murphy and Doire Finn, welcomed the progress. Cllr Murphy said: "We look forward to seeing the positive impact that the Theatre and Conference Centre and wider regeneration plans will have on the vibrancy of city life in the years ahead. We know there is much work still to be done but we are proud of our city and its potential and committed to delivering for the people of Newry and the entire district."

Cllr Finn said: "The Theatre and Conference Centre will help to position Newry as a leading regional centre for arts, learning, events, and culture. I look forward to further progress being made on this, and other projects, particularly Newry's City Park which I hope will enhance Newry's appeal as a place to live in, work in, invest in and visit."