Hanson Announces Laganside Events Grants And Plans For Cathedral Quarter

29 January 2007
HANSON ANNOUNCES LAGANSIDE EVENTS GRANTS AND PLANS FOR CATHEDRAL QUARTER

Social Development Minister, David Hanson, today announced further plans to support the arts and cultural sector in the Laganside area and Cathedral Quarter.
Mr Hanson opened the application process for a Ł300,000 package of grants for arts, cultural and community based events in the Laganside area. The Minister also announced his intention to invite stakeholders in Cathedral Quarter to form a body to promote the area.
The grants funding covers activities taking place from 1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008. It will continue the legacy of the Laganside Corporation which previously provided funding of this kind and will ensure that the area continues to offer a lively, attractive and welcoming environment to the local community, businesses and tourists.
David Hanson commented: “In September 2006, I announced the wind-up of the Laganside Corporation after 18 years of reshaping the Belfast riverside area. The Corporation has done an excellent job in successfully completing its regeneration remit.
“At that time, I gave a commitment that the Department for Social Development would continue to manage the funding for arts and community activities within the area. Today marks the opening of the application process for this year’s fund, and I would encourage any organisation or group interested in organising events in this unique and vibrant area to come forward with proposals.”
There are two main grants. The Laganside Events Grant is aimed at supporting events that contribute to the regeneration of the Laganside area, encourage local involvement and community and business participation and help attract visitors to the area. The Community Activity Grant supports community initiatives offering grants of up to Ł300 for community based events that address the needs of the Laganside local community and continue to bring life to the area.
Mr Hanson continued: “Events play a key role in sustaining life and vitality within the area and the city. They provide real benefits including economic benefits, social well-being and present a positive image for Belfast, promoting the city as an exciting tourist destination. I recognise the value of the arts, cultural and community sector and will continue to engage with all stakeholders to ensure that the Laganside area continues to be a success. ”
Details on how to apply for either of the two grants are available from DSD’s Belfast City Centre Regeneration Directorate (BCCRD) on
Tel: 028 9027 7653
Email: laganside@dsdni.gov.uk
Web: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/laganside
In writing:
Brenda Henderson,
DSD,
BCCRD,
2nd Floor,
McKelvey House,
25-27 Wellington Place,
Belfast,
BT1 6GD.
In launching the grant application process, Mr Hanson said that he had recently met with representatives of arts and cultural groups within Cathedral Quarter to discuss the continued regeneration of the area.
Mr Hanson commented: “With the planned dissolution of Laganside Corporation on 31 March 07 the time is right for all stakeholders in Cathedral Quarter to build on Laganside’s achievements by actively considering how to market the area, in order to maximise and develop the promotion of the Quarter to become a distinct area of excellence for arts and culture, creative industries, business, retail, leisure and entertainment. My Department will invite all stakeholders to give their views on what form such a body would take, with the intention of establishing a body by April 07. I welcome views to the Department for Social Development on the way forward.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:

The wind-up of Laganside Corporation was announced in February 2005 recognising that Laganside had successfully achieved its statutory objective of securing the regeneration of the designated area. From 1st April 2007, land holdings, development agreements and statutory responsibilities will transfer to DSD and be managed by the Belfast City Centre Regeneration Directorate.

The Department for Social Development’s Belfast City Centre Regeneration Directorate (BCCRD) will administer the events grants from 1 April 2007. Discussions with Belfast City Council regarding future administration of the two grants are ongoing. It is proposed that subject to the approval of Parliament these functions will transfer to the council in 2009 under the Review of Public Administration.

There are a number of event spaces available for use in the Laganside area including Custom House Square, Writers Square, Cotton Court Piazza, Barrow Square, River Lagan and the Lagan Weir and Tunnel.

For media enquiries contact DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.

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