This Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) supported project is part of plans to enhance cultural activity space in the heart of the City and attract more people into the centre who stay for longer and form part of a vibrant night-time economy. Supporting that vision is an attractive public realm performance space to the rear of the centre.
Theatre and Conference Centre
The existing historic and Grade 2 listed Town Hall will be renovated under the plans, with a modern multi-functional venue built upon the site of the neighbouring Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. The existing Town Hall and new venue will be linked by a glazed atrium that will allow the two buildings to operate as a single venue. The new venue will have 255 seats capable of being used in a range of theatre configurations and for a range of uses, supported by the latest in audio visual and performance systems.
In January 2023 a BRCD Contract for Funding was agreed for Newry City Centre Regeneration Projects supported by the. £5 million BRCD funding has been allocated for Public Realm at the Theatre and Conference Centre and Civic and Regional Hub along with £3 million for a Grade A Office Accommodation Fund.
The planning application process is underway, and it is hoped construction of the Theatre and Conference Centre will begin in early 2024.
In July 2023 the PQQ (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire) process got underway for the provision of a contractor responsible for construction of the facility.
