Confirmed - council will mark work’s end

As our picture shows, some people think the near completion of the works worth a song and dance, but word on the street had it that Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council harboured no plans to officially mark their end.

A number of traders told the Star they felt that, given the delays and complaints that dogged the project, its long-awaited completion was worthy of formal recognition.

In fact, the council does mean to mark the completion of works, initially with a November 10 event in the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum, to which it will be inviting stakeholders and traders along Bow Street and Market Square, and again next Spring, with a city centre celebration event.

In the meantime, the local authority plans to put the new-look space to good use.

A spokesperson said: “The council is also hosting a number of events over the coming months to maximise the use of the Public Realm Space, including a Halloween Family Fun Day on Saturday, October 31. This will run throughout the day and include dance workshops, crafts, a mobile zoo and other spooky family fun.

“An Event Programme is also being developed to take place in the run-up to Christmas, maximising use of the new space. “Starting with the Christmas Lights Switch-On, there will be a series of exciting family events running throughout the city centre. These will include light installations, food and drink events and an outdoor Christmas Party in Market Square.

“A full schedule of events will be advertised in the local press, on the radio and through a promotional brochure over the coming weeks.”