Developers and Property Owners Invited to Apply for £3 Million Office Development Grant Scheme to Drive Newry City Centre Regeneration

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted to announce the reopening of its £3 million Office Development Grant Scheme. Part of the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment, the scheme aims to stimulate private sector investment in high-quality Grade A office developments and support Newry City Centre’s ongoing programme of regeneration.

Funded by the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Communities (DfC) as part of the £1 billion Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) programme of investment, the aim is to incentivise developers and property owners to invest in Grade A standard office accommodation, and in turn foster economic development, job creation and urban regeneration.

As one of Northern Ireland’s key regional centres, Newry sits at a pivotal point on the Dublin–Belfast Economic Corridor. This makes the city particularly attractive to firms requiring dual-market access, especially in sectors such as logistics, financial services, legal services, and consultancy.

As Newry City continues to grow and perform across the regional economy, the need for high-quality office space that reflects best professional standards is becoming increasingly important. 

With increasing demand for sustainable, high quality and technologically advanced workspaces, the scheme will provide the capital support needed to turn ambitious blueprints into landmark realities for Newry City Centre. This will include new build developments or the reuse of vacant or derelict buildings, aligning with the Council’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the creation of modern, energy-efficient workspaces.

The grant scheme will also address changing workplace expectations for buildings that support hybrid working, employee wellbeing, and corporate image.

The Council’s Grade A Office Development Grant Scheme is open for standalone developments or multi-use developments that integrate Grade A office space with residential, retail or leisure components.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said, “The Department for Communities welcomes the opening of the second tranche of the Grade A Office Development Grant Scheme. It represents a significant opportunity for new companies to establish themselves in the city and for existing ones to expand their footprint, creating new jobs that will boost the local economy and foster sustainable urban regeneration.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell, said, ”This Belfast Region City Deal investment is one of several initiatives that the Council has in place to promote Newry, Mourne and Down as a place that business can invest and prosper in. Newry has a premier location along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. By creating the right market conditions, the Office Development Grant Scheme aims to attract new investors who will see the value of having Newry City as a base which allows them to easily connect to the whole island’s economy.”

Whilst the scheme will remain open for applications until 20 November 2026, interested developers and businesses are encouraged to engage early to allow applicants sufficient time to prepare design proposals and planning applications. Council officers will be available for one-to-one consultations and will be hosting information sessions over the coming months to support potential applicants’ understanding of the scheme's requirements, including planning, sustainability (BREEAM standards), and business case expectations.

Further details on the Grade A Office Development Grant Scheme, including criteria, applicant guidance notes and information session details are available on the Council’s website: www.newrymournedown.org/grade-a-office-accommodation-grant-scheme