A funding scheme is being planned to support businesses in the Sandy Row area of South Belfast after a decline in trade following a major road closure.
Concerns have been raised by traders in the area over footfall due to the Boyne Bridge closure and roadworks surrounding the new Grand Central Station and greater Weaver's Cross plan for the area. Translink has said the whole redevelopment will be completed by the end of 2025.
The bridge, which runs along Durham Street, was closed in October 2024 and work to remove it began the following month. There were protests against its demolition, as well as calls for local businesses to be compensated for a reduced footfall.
Read more: Sandy Row residents feel area 'ignored and forgotten'
Read more: Sandy Row traders say area is “log-jam or ghost town” since Boyne Bridge closed
Now, it has emerged that Stormont's Department for Communities are planning a "revitalisation scheme" reported to be worth around £200,000. Local DUP councillor Tracy Kelly told Belfast Live businesses in the area have seen an "awful decline" since the Durham Street closure.
She said: "We are still finalising details but this amount of money has been secured to try and help the business stay open and attract customers. Myself and Edwin Poots MLA are liaising with Department for Communities and Belfast City Council to try and support as much as possible.
"For the last four months since the roads closure, Sandy Row has seen an awful decline in business with some shops losing around 40% of trade. This cannot continue and I fear some may not survive."
The revitalisation scheme follows an emergency taskforce set up at Belfast City Council last year in an effort to support local traders. Speaking at a council meeting on the new task force, Sandy Row businesses said the road closure was "worse than Covid" for businesses in the area.
The Department for Communities said the scheme will be delivered by Belfast City Council, and will follow on from the delivery of a public realm scheme. Details of the scheme have not yet been finalised.
A spokesperson for DfC said: “Revitalisation Schemes normally follow on from the delivery of Public Realm Schemes and are a means, for example, to deliver improved building frontages, carry out additional cleansing, promote the area as a shopping destination and can also be used to assist in community-driven efforts to improve and sustain business.
“In relation to the negative impact being felt by businesses on Sandy Row, the Minister has approved the delivery of a Revitalisation Scheme in the Sandy Row area ahead of the proposed DfC public realm works.
"This scheme will be delivered by Belfast City Council for improvement to business premises in the Sandy Row area and funding will be subject to the department receiving a formal application for funding and business case appraisal.”
A Belfast City Council spokesperson added: “Council is continuing to engage with the Department for Communities with regard to a proposal for Revitalisation funding for the area. The details of the scheme have not yet been finalised.”
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