Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has relaunched its £3 million Office Development Grant Scheme to catalyse private-sector delivery of Grade A office projects and support the ongoing renewal of Newry City Centre.

Backed by the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Communities (DfC) and delivered under the £1 billion Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD), the scheme is designed to encourage developers and property owners to bring forward Grade A office accommodation that can drive economic growth, create new jobs and revive the urban core.

Situated on the Dublin–Belfast Economic Corridor, Newry's strategic location offers firms convenient access to both markets. This dual-market advantage is expected to appeal to sectors such as logistics, financial and legal services, and consultancy.

As the city's role in the regional economy expands, demand for modern, professional-standard office space continues to rise. The grant will help translate ambitious plans into deliverable projects, whether through new builds or the repurposing of vacant and derelict properties, in line with the Council's focus on environmental sustainability and energy-efficient design.

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The programme also reflects evolving workplace priorities, supporting buildings that enable hybrid working, promote staff wellbeing and enhance corporate identity.

Applications are welcomed for standalone office schemes or mixed-use developments that combine Grade A space with residential, retail or leisure elements.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said, "The Department for Communities welcomes the opening of the second tranche of the Grade A Office Development Grant Scheme. It represents a significant opportunity for new companies to establish themselves in the city and for existing ones to expand their footprint, creating new jobs that will boost the local economy and foster sustainable urban regeneration."

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell, said, "This Belfast Region City Deal investment is one of several initiatives that the Council has in place to promote Newry, Mourne and Down as a place that business can invest and prosper in. Newry has a premier location along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. By creating the right market conditions, the Office Development Grant Scheme aims to attract new investors who will see the value of having Newry City as a base which allows them to easily connect to the whole island's economy."

The scheme is open until 20 November 2026, with the Council urging prospective applicants to engage early to allow time for design work and planning submissions. Council officers will provide one-to-one guidance and will host information sessions in the months ahead to outline requirements, including planning, sustainability (BREEAM standards) and business case expectations.

Further details, eligibility criteria, guidance notes and information session dates are available at: www.newrymournedown.org/grade-a-office-accommodation-grant-scheme