NI Conservatives’ economy spokesman, Johnny Andrews, has welcomed a £5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which will help regenerate the former Harland and Wolff headquarters and drawing office, in the Titanic Quarter, Belfast.
“The money is part of an investment to turn this listed building into a boutique hotel”, Johnny explained. “Belfast is one of the UK’s leading maritime heritage centres and this project will be a huge asset to the Titanic Quarter, which is already booming.”
“The involvement of the Heritage Lottery Fund is an example of how creative partnerships between social and private enterprise can work. It means bringing neglected, historic buildings back to life, which can then act as catalysts for further regeneration.”
“There are occasions when the private sector on its own can’t fulfil these development opportunities and that’s why partnerships with the public sector or the social enterprise sector can step in, with the result that tourism is increased, construction jobs are created and the wider economy gets a substantial boost.”
“This investment is great news and we need many more announcements like it. As the recovery gathers pace the Executive must make sure that Northern Ireland is best placed to take advantage of all the opportunities which may arise, by encouraging a culture of enterprise, ensuring that our economy is competitive, for example by reforming our employment laws, and by promoting other joint private and public sector initiatives where possible”.