Bangor city centre building plan: Women's group seeks funding to make former bank into community and business centre

A North Down women’s group is seeking funding to turn a derelict Danske Bank in Bangor into a community and business centre.

Last year Kilcooley Women’s Centre acquired the iconic listed Victorian building on Main Street Bangor, and since then have been investigating sources of funding to revitalise the building and support a programme of interventions, while attracting more footfall into the centre of Bangor.

In July, an opportunity arose to apply for funding within a very short window, under the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Community Ownership Fund, with a closing date of 12 July.

Alison Blayney, Chief Executive of Kilcooley Women’s Centre contacted the Ards North Down Council Head of Economic Development seeking a letter of support for the application. The endorsement will also help with funding from sources such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Biffa Awards.

The council letter of support to the women’s centre states: “The building has been placed on the ‘Heritage at Risk’ list by the Department of Communities Historic Environment Division, and we are keen to assist and support the Women’s Centre’s reversal of this designation, through the refurbishment and innovative programmes it delivers to the community.

“This type of multi-function building, open to the community and businesses, will not only bring footfall to the Main Street and city centre, but will be a valuable contribution to the regeneration of Bangor.

“As you are aware, Ards and North Down Borough Council is currently working on and supporting projects to redevelop and transform Bangor waterfront and the surrounding area.

“Your project will enhance and complement all efforts being made to revitalise and renew the city centre and we would support your application, as the repurposing of this key city centre asset will be of benefit to the wider Bangor community. We hope and look forward to your application being successful and to work being able to start the building’s transformation as soon as possible.”

The former Northern Bank building, which dates back to the 1800s is at the junction of Hamilton Rd and Main Street. The building was originally a market place, then a courthouse, then around 1890 it was transformed into Ward Male, Female and Infant School.

In 1933 it became Bangor’s town hall, until 1952, was then sold to the Belfast Banking Company, and later became the Northern Bank, and finally the Danske Bank.

At the most recent meeting of the full Ards and North Down Borough Council, DUP Councillor Alistair Cathcart told the chamber: “This is terrific. I have recently been in the former Danske Bank, or Market House as it is again being called, and there are indeed workspaces upstairs where people can co-work.

“For self-employed people and people who are based in their own home but may not have the space, this provides an ideal location in the heart of Bangor. I am aware of a gentleman from Bangor who will be the first to set up there, and I wish everyone all the very best on the regeneration. It will be great to see this place active again, it is such an iconic building in Bangor.”

The results of the Kilcooley Women’s Centre’s application for the Shared Prosperity Community Ownership Fund is still pending.

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