COMMUNITIES Minister Deirdre Hargey has visited Enniskillen to view the progress of major public realm works throughout the town, which are midway through completion.

The Department for Communities (DfC) is providing £4.73m towards the scheme, with Fermanagh & Omagh District Council contributing a further £526,000.

The scheme is due to be completed next May and will deliver new paving, street furniture and improved lighting and drainage throughout the town centre.

The visit also provided an opportunity for the Minister to view the recently completed £419,000 Buttermarket, Down Street and Cross Street Revitalisation project, for which DfC provided funding of £334,000.

Speaking after viewing the schemes, Minister Hargey said: “I am delighted to have visited Enniskillen to see first-hand the progress being made to deliver this extensive public realm scheme.

“An investment on this scale has the potential to bring a much needed feel-good factor for the town’s traders, residents and visitors.

“It is amazing the difference this scheme is already making. The town is feeling bright and vibrant as it, as with all our towns and city centres, emerges from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Minister continued: “Over the past number of years my Department has demonstrated a firm commitment to support regeneration in the Council area by providing funding for much-needed urban regeneration across its town centres.

“This work has been brought into even greater focus during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was lovely to visit the Buttermarket and see the impact of my Department’s recent investment.

“The area is looking great and thanks to further investment from my Department through the Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme, is also undergoing resurfacing which will make the area more accessible and welcoming.”

The Buttermarket, Down Street and Cross Street Revitalisation project brought much needed upgrades to shop fronts, provided essential upgrades to the public toilets to bring them up to accessibility standards, provided new seating, signage, fencing, lighting and a display area for a piece of public art – a large model steam train – that has been gifted to the Council.

The Vice-Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Chris McCaffrey added: “The Enniskillen Public Realm scheme is transforming the look of the town centre with improvements to footpaths, street lighting, landscaping and street furniture well under way.

“The Project Steering Group, comprising Councillors and business representatives including Enniskillen BID, have been with the project every step of the way, and their support and guidance has been invaluable and very much appreciated by the Council as we reach the midway point of the scheme.

“The scheme complements other revitalisation projects undertaken in Enniskillen in recent years, in collaboration with the Department, as well as works ongoing at the Buttermarket.

“Together, this investment by the Department for Communities and the Council is helping to reimage and reinvigorate the town centre and will enhance the overall visitor experience as the town centre responds to the impacts of the Covid-19 health pandemic.

“I was delighted to welcome Minister Hargey to Enniskillen to show first-hand the difference this significant investment is making to the town, and the Council looks forward to continuing its partnership working with the Department into the future for the benefit of our people and the district.”