The completion of Phase 1 of the Walled City Signature Project was celebrated today at an event in Derry’s Guildhall. Phase 1 represents £4.5 million of a £13.6m tourism project centered around the historic city walls. The celebratory event marked a significant milestone in the development of the project led by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) in partnership with Ilex, the co-ordinating body for IDF funding, and Derry City Council as lead organisation in project commissioning and delivery.
Mayor Cllr Helen Quigley praised all the organizations involved in the project said:
“Today is an important event about celebrating achievement and partnership while recognizing the value of all our collaborative efforts to improve what the city has to offer for locals and visitors.
“The first phase of the Walled City Signature Tourism Project is a positive example of realising the city’s tourism potential through public investment and excellent engagement between the many stakeholders involved.
“A strong partnership with the public, private and community sector has delivered results and created many opportunities for the visitor to explore the story of Derry through understanding our rich heritage and by experiencing the cultural dynamic of a modern city that is looking forward to a vibrant future.”
The organizations involved alongside Derry City Council in the successful completion of Phase 1 Walled City Signature Tourism Project includes Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Department of Social Development, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Ilex Urban Regeneration Company, Environment and Heritage Service, the Planning Service and Roads Service and Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau. Tourism providers such as Tower Museum, Museum of Free Derry, Apprentice Boys’ Memorial Hall, St Columb’s Cathedral, the Nerve Centre and the Verbal Arts Centre all participated in Phase 1.
The Mayor concluded:
“In today’s world, tourism has a key role to play in regeneration and the Walls are a perfect example of this. We have this wonderful historic attraction and it is important that we make the most of what it and the surrounding area has to offer. We have much to celebrate in Phase 1 of the Walled City Signature Tourism Project and we look forward to the commencement of Phase 11.
"Tourism has an important contribution to make to the wider regeneration of the city and Council looks forward to further progress with Ilex on the delivery of its Regeneration Plan for the city”.
Notes to Editor:
Phase 1 of the Walled City Signature Project, which took two years to complete, involved a major refurbishment of the Tower Museum, the creation of a conservation plan for the city’s Walls and the construction of six gateway signs welcoming visitors to the ‘Walled City’. Investment in Phase 1 was £4.5million
Phase 11 will incorporate an extensive restoration programme for historic buildings located along the Walls, a scheme to light up the Walls and other landmark buildings at night, the creation of a cultural programme to attract visitors to the Walls. Potential investment in Phase 11 is £9.1million.
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Derry City Council Press Office 028 7137 6504