Photo (L-R): John Wilson (Managing Director, Farrans), Tracy Meharg (Permanent Secretary, Department for Communities), Mayor of Ards and North Down Councillor Richard Smart, Aran Blackbourne (Managing Director, Karl Group).

Bangor Marine has been appointed as the developer to take forward a major £50m regeneration project at Queen’s Parade, Bangor.

The proposed scheme is made up of; Marine Gardens Public Realm combining External Events Space, Cafes, Sheltered Promenade & Kiosks, Beach, Seafront Lawns, Children’s Play Area & Water Feature; a 70/80 Bed Hotel; a Destination/Cinema Building; Residential Units; Commercial/Retail/Restaurant Space; Office Space; a Play Zone; Refurbishment of Existing Commercial Properties; 200 Space Car Park; and Marketplace & Courtyard Squares.

Making the announcement the Department for Communities Permanent Secretary Tracy Meharg said: “This development and the £50m investment in Bangor will generate new jobs, new shops, new offices, new homes and make this area Bangor a place to see and visit.

It will help to support a number of areas that we know are important to the vitality of our town centres, especially employment and tourism.  The new hotel and cafes will encourage more tourists to visit Bangor and help to support the retail offering and enhance the evening economy. The new homes will lead to more people living in Bangor again supporting local consumer outlets. When combined with new offices, this development will help to create new employment opportunities and breathe new life back into Bangor.”

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Richard Smart said “The regeneration of Queen’s Parade is critical to the future of Bangor and to maximising the economic growth potential of the wider borough of Ards and North Down. With the appointment of Bangor Marine – a consortium made up of a number of leading companies including the Karl Group and Farrans – we are taking a very significant and exciting step forward.

“The redevelopment plan represents an investment of £50M in a mixed-use scheme that will deliver commercial and retail premises, a range of housing, a hotel and a family entertainment complex. As such it offers features and opportunities for those who live in, work in and visit our area; and will no doubt attract further investment into the town.

“Public interest in the plan is high and moving forward there will be a 12-week period of community engagement prior to any formal planning submission being made. This will give the public an opportunity to comment on what is being proposed.

“We look forward to working with Bangor Marine, alongside colleagues from the Department for Communities, to progress the plan and help make Bangor a vibrant, attractive and cohesive place for everyone to enjoy.”

Aran Blackbourne, Managing Director of the Karl Group said “The Bangor Marine team are delighted to have signed the Development Agreement to deliver this prestigious and life changing development for the people of Bangor and beyond. This Joint Venture, between Farrans and Karl, has worked hard with the design team, DfC and the Council to bring the project to this stage, and we are very excited that we can now up the momentum and engage with the public and all stakeholders to help make Bangor reach its full potential.

Bangor Marine has been given the unique opportunity to create Northern Ireland’s premier public waterfront space at Queen’s Parade. Bangor is ideally located to be the coastal day out of choice for the growing capital city of Belfast.”