Improved Christmas illuminations in the district came as a result of a near £300K investment by Newry and Mourne District Council. The quality of this year’s illuminations was noted by many with the council issuing a statement outlining the work that went into lighting up the dark winter nights. What’s more plans are afoot to improve lighting schemes for 2013 in other parts of the district. “In 2008 Newry and Mourne District Council agreed to start a process to upgrade the Christmas illuminations in Newry city with a view to providing a more modern city look to the centre of the city,” the statement read. “Over the last three years three phases were carried out. Phase I, Trevor Hill, Kildare Street, Hill Street and Sugar Island. Phase II, Monaghan Street, Merchant’s Quay and The Mall. Phase III, lighting up of trees along Newry Canal and in 2011 as part of the public realm scheme lights were erected to the newly planted trees on Monaghan Street and Hill Street. “In 2010 improvements to Christmas illuminations were made also in Warrenpoint and Kilkeel. Also in 2011 s part of an EI scheme extra lighting was erected in Kilkeel. The total cost to date of providing these modern illuminations in the area mentioned above is £297,094. In addition the council also provides Christmas Trees and funding to town and village communities throughout the district to provide illuminations. Recommendations are currently being considered by the council to include funding in next year’s financial year to carry out improvement schemes at Crossmaglen and hopefully other parts of the district. The majority of the money for these new illuminations has been provided by the council and more recently through the public realm scheme in Newry and the EI Scheme in Kilkeel in 2011. There have been a lot of positive comments made in relation to the Christmas illuminations throughout the district and indeed they have created a lot of interest for local photographers taking pictures of the lights at night time. By providing Christmas illuminations the council is also supporting local traders to attract shoppers into the area.” Although a firm indication of how Christmas trading went for retailers in the district has yet to be established, at least one shopping centre has reported improved business. In a statement The Quays said that many of its retailers reported an increase on the same period last year. Manager Cathal Austin added that he hoped the recent improvement would continue throughout the traditional sales period. “We are delighted to say that retailers at The Quays have had a very positive Christmas season,” he said. “We have seen a good start to the sales with stores reporting sales on St Stephen’s Day up on last year. We hope to see this trend continue into the New Year.
Newry Reporter
2nd January 2013
“