Derry centre bids to boost business

A new £730,000 (€1.1m) Enterprise Centre developed by a local community group was officially opened in Derry today.

The centre at Iona Park provides five workspace units, each of 200 sq metres, and is aimed at encouraging new businesses.

Including a multi-purpose administration, training and conference block, the centre when fully let is expected to create 29 new jobs.

A second phase of Iona Park is planned with further workspaces.

It has been developed by the Bogside and Brandywell Initiative with funding from the International Fund for Ireland and the Department for Social Development under the Community Economic Regeneration Scheme with contributions from Derry City Council and Derry City Partnership.

It is on the site of a former dump which was later redeveloped as a recreation ground but which had lain disused for a number of years.

International Fund chairman William T McCarter, said at the opening: “This is an excellent project, the completion of which is the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of the Bogside and Brandywell Initiative.

“The new business park will help promote the physical, economic and social regeneration of the area and will complement other regeneration initiatives in the area.”