7 March 2005

DSD OPENS FOYLE STREET SITE TO FUN FAIR

DSD’s North West Development Office has made the former City Hotel site in Foyle Street available to Cullen’s Amusements to operate a fun fair from 11 to 20 March 2005.

The site was repossessed by DSD in January following a protracted legal battle in the High Court and Lands Tribunal. A Developer’s Brief is expected to be issued in the near future.

In the meantime, however, during the forthcoming St Patrick’s Day celebrations the site will host a fun fair and contribute to the carnival atmosphere in the city centre.

The Director of the North West Development Office, Declan O’Hare, said: "Our city centre has too often been the subject of negative publicity. We need to address this and create a safe, family-friendly city centre where people can meet, interact and enjoy a wide range of attractions. To do so will require an integrated response from a number of agencies given the inter-related issues involved. In the short term we can be creative in using our assets whenever possible to promote a positive and welcoming image of the city centre. The fun fair is a family friendly attraction and will bring life, if only for a short period, to a site that has lain empty for years."

Mr Joe Cullen, of Cullen’s Amusements, welcomed DSD’s co-operation. He said: "The Foyle Street site is the perfect place to locate our amusement fun fair. As a local business we have been seeking to participate in Festival events for many years. We are delighted that thanks to DSD we can now contribute to the St Patrick’s March Celebrations and Festival in Derry by providing a fun day out for all the family in the city centre."

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