Talks ongoing over Derry Tourist Centre

The talks centre around a relocation of the current Visit Derry premises on Foyle Street to a more central location on Waterloo Place.

It is understood that negotiations are taking place over potential match funding for the project, which will be partially paid for by the local council. A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed: “Discussions are currently ongoing with a range of partners including Tourism NI and the Department of Finance regarding the development of a new Tourist Information Centre for the city.

“Visit Derry works in partnership with over 260 tourism providers and plays a pivotal role in building the profile of the North West as a unique and exciting visitor destination in national and international markets.”

She added: Council is committed to supporting Visit Derry in its bid to establish a new and accessible city centre base which will become a hub for tourism activity for the region.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Tourism, Councillor Mickey Cooper, said he was satisfied that the required shortfall funding of £1 million will be released to allow the project to go ahead.

“While Council funding had already been ring-fenced a shortfall in the required funding caused a delay of almost two years in moving the project forward.

“This will be a state of the art facility which is what international visitors expect and which will contribute to the positive marketing of the City and region.”