Derry's 'ugliest building' gets facelift

Published Friday, 24 August 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

A structure dubbed the ugliest in Londonderry is earmarked for a facelift as part of Stormont plans to improve the city ahead of its City of Culture year.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

As the city prepares to welcome an influx of tourists in 2013, the Executive is pumping millions of pounds into improving its landmarks.

That includes buildings such as the Guildhall, the symbol of civic power and pride in Derry, which is receiving almost £10m for renovations.

The council chamber is moving upstairs while a new visitor centre, an exhibition centre and a café will be built.

Mayor Kevin Campbell said: "We're hoping they'll be coming through it in their thousands - you have to spend money to accumulate money, and this is what's going to happen.

We're on the up and next year will tell the tale.

Mayor Kevin Campbell

"People before were walking past the Guildhall, looking at it and thinking it's not really for me, it's not my building.

"It is their building and it belongs to the city and it is there to market the city."

But it's not just the beautiful that's being targeted.

The Ulster Bank building in Waterloo Place has been called the city's ugliest building, so the Department of Social Development is going to spend money doing it up.

There are also plans for a glass roof to be put over the Craft Village, turning an outdoor square into an indoor meeting place.

"Physical regeneration of an area plays a massive role in lifting the whole area," said local SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan.

"It plays a massive role in attracting investment into an area, and a massive role in attracting tourists to an area, therefore investing money in the regeneration of Derry city centre is - in my opinion as a Derry MLA - money extremely well spent."

© UTV News
Comments Comments
0 Comments
No comments. Be the first to comment.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
On the rocks
Wed 01 May 2013
4x4 in Ballycastle harbour
Thu 02 May 2013