An iconic city centre building in Derry that's lain vacant for years is to be taken over by the Inner City Trust, with backing from Stormont.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced a grant of £1.2million on Wednesday for the purchase of the former ‘Austins’ department store in the heart of Derry's historic city centre
The landmark building, in a prime location adjacent to the Diamond, has been vacant for nine years.
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The Inner City Trust has already "begun to engage with a range of public and private sector bodies regarding the potential future uses of the building", a spokesperson for the Department said.
Minister Lyons said: “I am pleased my Department has been able to fund the purchase of the ‘Austins’ building. The investment of £1.2million is the first step in the regeneration of this iconic building located at the heart of the Historic Conservation Area.
“This investment will have a transformative effect, not only on Austins, but will contribute to the regeneration of the wider city centre and underlines my commitment to delivering projects which regenerate our urban areas, develop stronger communities and support their continued growth. This is an exciting time for the city and the wider region and this project, along with several others which my Department are also supporting, contributes to these commitments”.
The Venerable Robert Miller, Chairman of the Inner City Trust, hailed today’s announcement as a significant step forward in the rescue and revitalisation of one of the city’s most iconic buildings, saying: “This investment is a testament to the power of partnership. I am deeply grateful to the Minister and his Department for their commitment to this key project, which aligns seamlessly with the Inner City Trust’s vision to drive the physical, social, and economic regeneration of the City Centre."
He added: “This restoration will not only breathe new life into an important historic building but will also strengthen the Department for Communities’ Public Realm Scheme and the transformative ambitions of the Derry City and Strabane District Council’s City Deal. It sends a clear message of confidence to other investors that our city is a place of progress, innovation, and opportunity. Our built heritage is a cornerstone of our identity, and through projects like this, it will play a pivotal role in shaping a vibrant, reimagined City Centre - one that fosters prosperity and inspires generations to come.”
SDLP Councillor John Boyle said: “This is good news for our city in general and particularly good news for traders and businesses in the city centre. The former Austin’s building is an iconic and important part of the built heritage of our city centre and I welcome the news that there is an identifiable route to giving the building a new lease of life. It will be an enormous undertaking to breathe life back into the Austin’s building, but I am confident that the Inner City Trust, with their track record, are well placed to take the next steps to achieve that goal.
“It is pleasing to know that future generations will be able to enjoy the Austin’s building as much as countless others have in the past. I congratulate the Inner City Trust on having the courage, ambition and the vision to take the building forward into the future. The Inner City Trust has a brilliant reputation for rescuing, regenerating and reimagining older buildings and making them vibrant and viable again. As a buildings preservation trust their continued determination to regenerate the city centre and to make it an attractive place for local people and visitors alike is exemplary.
“I also pay tribute to and thank, on behalf of the people of Derry, the outgoing owners who, I know, did all that they could to retain the physical integrity of the building in order to save it for future generations."
He added: "This is an exciting time for our city as we continue to see the realisation of our extensive City Deal projects and the expansion of our University campus at Magee College. I believe the Inner City Trust will continue to be a very important player in recognising the dreams and aspirations of a city and its people, playing an important role as our city moves onwards and upwards. Long may our ambitions as a city and people flourish.”
Sinn Fein MLA Ciara Ferguson MLA said: "I am delighted to finally hear today that the Department for Communities is able to provide a grant to complete the purchase of the building, to see the heritage protected and the building brought back into use. This is a landmark listed building that has lain vacant for the past nine years, right in the heart of the City Centre.
"In April 2022, Sinn Féin brought a motion to the Derry City and Strabane District Council to establish a taskforce to probe what was going on with the site, and bring everyone around the table to find a pathway forward for this beautiful building to be restored, and brought back in to use. We are glad to see the significant progress that has been made, and look forward to seeing progress that will enable the regeneration of the city centre."
DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: "“I believe this investment represents a significant step towards restoring the vibrancy of the city centre. This landmark listed building has remained vacant for nearly a decade and this will not only restore a crucial piece of Londonderry’s heritage but also provide a tangible opportunity for further investment in the area.
"I commend my DUP colleague Gordon Lyons MLA, Minister for Communities, the Department for Communities and the Inner City Trust for their vision and dedication to this project. I look forward to seeing the building transformed into a space that serves the needs of the community and contributes to the economic prosperity of the region.”
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