Cookstown District Council
Town Centre Regeneration
Cookstown Town Living Initative (LOTS) Scheme
The Town Centre Living Initiative (LOTS) Scheme is an integral part of Cookstown Town Centre Regeneration Strategy. It is spearheaded by Cookstown District Council in conjunction with Cookstown Town Centre Forum and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive The broad aim of the Cookstown Town Centre Living Initiative (LOTS) Scheme is to offer grant assistance to provide private rented residential accomodation within vacant or under utilised upper floors of shops and other buildings within the Town Centre area of Cookstown.A 75% grant towards eligible costs up to a maximum of £25,000 where one flat or house is created or £30,000 where there is more than one flat. Properties suitable for conversion will be those that have the potential for creating good quality housing, have a commercial aspect on the ground floor and can provide separate access to the upper floors.
The Scheme offers significant physical, economic and social regeneration benefits to Cookstown, including:
-Improved housing choice
-Increased vitality in Town Centre
-Conservation of heritage / townscape
-Improved security and build on the neutrality of the Town Centre
-Income stream & capital appreciation for property owners
-Complementary to other town centre initiatives as outlined in Cookstown's Town Centre Regeneration Strategy.
Since the official launch of the scheme almost 55 enquires have been received to date, of which 9 properties have been renovated creating multiple accomodation units per property. One further scheme is under construction and a number of other schemes are expected to gain NIHE approval in the months ahead.
Click here to download the Town Centre Living Initiative (LOTS) Scheme Brochure
Cookstown Marketing & Promotion
The Cookstown brand illustrates everything that makes Cookstown a special place, the strength of the rural aspect of the town, the urban component offering great shopping and infrastructure and the sights to visit which bring many tourists to the area.
Our strapline Looking Good, Looking Great refers to Cookstown's future prospects, a town growing in stature with a very positive outlook for the future and warm welcoming people full of dynamism and enthusiasm.
Cookstown's Town Centre Marketing and Promotion initiative focuses on promoting Cookstown as the 'Retail Capital of Mid Ulster' and to help create a family friendly town for visitors, businesses and investors alike, incorporating the following multi media solutions:
-Television
-Radio
-Press
-Outdoor Campaign
-Transport Campaign
The latest Marketing and Promotion Campaign was carried out at Christmas 2009 and included a television campaign with sponsorship from local businesses. Printed media was also used including a number of cross border papers. Plans are currently underway for the 2010 campaign.
Cookstown Urban Design Strategy
Cookstown has recently developed an Urban Design Strategy which outlines a clear physical framework for new development, investment and environmental improvement in the town centre following a period of consultation during 2005/06.
The strategy outlines a range of inspirational and strategic urban design interventions for Cookstown in the short, medium and long term to assist with ongoing town centre regeneration through the following proposals:
Network Place Strategy, Arrival Strategy, Streetscape Strategy, Design Guidance, Outdoor Cultural Strategy, Land and Buildings Strategy, Building Facelift Strategy.
Click here to download Urban Design Executive Summary Brochure
Cookstown Baseline and Healthcheck
A comprehensive healthcheck of Cookstown was undertaken in 2007 and the key facts and figures emanating from the healthcheck will be helpful for future strategic planning.The healthcheck considers key performance indicators assessing the town's vitality such as traffic flow, retail mix, rental values, vacancy levels, employment, commercial investment, etc.
-There are currently 356 businesses identified in the town centre,
-Approximately 66% of businesses in the town are independents,
-Over 100 different types of business were recorded, the most common were clothing/footwear retailers, hairdressers/barbers and fast food take aways,
-Over 26% of businesses in the town centre were established since 2001,
-During the same period, 25% of businesses have relocated within the town centre, with many moving to larger premises; Since 2001, 634 additional employees have been employed in the town,
-This consists of 400 in established businesses and 234 in new businesses, Employment in businesses that were operating in 2001 and 2007 has increased by 20% and the overall level of employment has increased by 31%,
-Approximately 42% of businesses in the town own their own premises,
-The number of vacant/derelict business properties in the town centre has decreases from 47 to 30, equating to a reduction of 36% since 2001
-Commercial space has increased by approximate 110,000 sq ft since 2001, while retail space has increased by approximate 178,000 sq ft in the same period, equating to a combined investment of approximate £35 million,
-Approximately 200 new residential dwellings have been built within or close to the town centre between 2001 and 2007, with an approximate value of £40 million.
Cookstown Environmental Improvement Schemes
Burn Road
The Burn Road Environmental Improvement Scheme has been designed to create a new civic focus for the Burn Road area and complement existing civic buildings, creating a more useable space to facilitate hosting outdoor events.
The scheme has its origins in the Cookstown Urban Design Stratgey (2006) which identified areas where improvements could be made to the Burn Road as a nucleus of the town's commercial activity.
Construction work commenced in September 2009 following sewage infrastructure improvements by NI Water. Work included newly reconstructed footpaths, extensive carriageway resurfacing, improved street lighting, new street furniture, undergrounding of some services and new tree planting.The majority of work was carried out between the William Street and Park Avenue junctions and has significantly transformed the streetscape.
A29 Town Centre Gateway Project
This iconic scheme involved environmental improvements and landscaping works utilising public art at one of Cookstown’s key strategic entry/exit points at the A29 Dungannon Road Roundabout.
Work at the roundabout will result in the creation of a new central mound replacing planting. On this mound is a stainless steel stone and ring sculpture depicting Beaghmore Stone Circles. The mound itself represents the Sperrins, grades down to gravel, interspersed with planting to form a representation of a scree slope before stopping to revert to grass. It is hoped this key landmark will showcase our unique local tourism heritage at a key gateway to the Retail Capital of Mid Ulster. DSD provided significant financial support for both Environmental Improvement Schemes.
Evening and Night Time Economy Strategy and Action Plan
A new Strategy and Action Plan was finalised in 2009 and provides a comprehensive and robust framework to better manage and develop Cookstown’s evening and night time economy both in the short and long term. The action plan highlights a broad range of actions that could be taken forward by a variety of stakeholders. One such action is ‘Code of Conduct’ training for those businesses who sell alcohol.
In March 2010 practical Code of Conduct training endorsed by the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade (FRLT) was offered to Cookstown vintners and off-sales. Its objective is to address the increasing problem of underage drinking by raising awareness and offering support to the relevant businesses. It also aims to reduce alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.
Discussions are underway with key stakeholders including Cookstown Community Safety Partnership to carry out further initiatives aimed at improving Cookstown's night-time economy during 2010-2011.
Retail Training and Development Programme
The training and development needs of traders in Cookstown town centre were reviewed during 2009. Subsequently an organisation was commission to deliver a practical and results focused training and development programme aimed at improving the viability and competitiveness of fourteen retail businesses in Cookstown town centre in these challenging economic times.
A baseline assessment was carried out for each participating business along with a mystery shopper visit. This resulted in a customised Action Plan to support business development and growth delivered through intensive one-to-one mentoring.
Town Centre Map and Guide
A new town centre guide and map focusing on retail and car parking has been commissioned to profile what Cookstown has to offer to Shoppers and visitors alike. It is hoped the publication will be available in April/May 2010.
Shopmobility Cookstown
Since 2009 extensive work has been carried out to establish a committee and secure funding for the establishment of a Shopmobility Scheme in Cookstown. Following receipt of funding the scheme was launched in May 2010 and is located on the ground floor of the Burnavon Arts & Culture Centre.
The scheme is operational from week commencing 7 June 2010, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Efforts are underway to appoint a Project Co-ordinator, in the interim all enquiries or to become a volunteer with Shopmobility Cookstown, please contact Cookstown Rural Community Transport on 028 86767766. To use equipment it is recommended you book in advance.
Cookstown Masterplan
Preparation of a new Masterplan for Cookstown Town Centre commenced in June 2010. The consultant team appointed by DSD is Scott Wilson. The Masterplan is expected to take approximately 9 to 12 months to complete and will include a six week public consultation period, and consultation with other key stakeholders. The new Masterplan will provide the basis and justification for DSD’s future decision making, or Council' s, on the promotion, implementation and timing of future urban regeneration and town centre management initiatives over the next 10-15 years.
For more information on any of the above projects email terry.scullion@cookstown.gov.uk