IN/1053

Devastating fall-out for businesses after bomb
ECONOMY RATING - 5/10
By Gary McDonald, Business Editor

THINK of Omagh and invariably thoughts drift back to its darkest day in August 1998 when 29 people and unborn twins were killed after a Real IRA car bomb exploded in the town. It took the best part of a decade for the town to get back on its feet as regards investment and jobs. Then in April this year, the town was plunged back into grief when Catholic policeman Ronan Kerr (25) died in a booby-trap car bomb blast.
The human cost of these tragedies aside, there has been also been a devastating economic fall-out for Omagh.
The town has little major outside investors.
One of the few that did come -Taiwanese disk manufacturer Ritek - pulled the plug on its operation in March 2005 and all 85 staff were made redundant. It had set up in the town in 2002. investing £27.7 million in its factory with £3.5m backing from Invest Nl.
Yet there remains an unerring resilience among Omagh's business community. A £10.5m town centre regeneration scheme was completed earlier this year, and Omagh is also working through the first phase of major regeneration plans which aim to create a dynamic, attractive and prosperous town centre. The Omagh Town Centre Masterplan identifies and illustrates unprecedented opportunities for major regeneration and development. It sets out a framework for the creation of new homes, business premises, multi-storey car parking, public squares, bars and restaurants, social activities and transport and pedestrian improvements. The document states that increased developer interest in Omagh town centre, coupled with the release of substantial areas of the 140-acre former army base at Lisanelly, present exciting opportunities for the future of Omagh.
The masterplan proposes that Campsie become a more defined community area to its residents and traders, and more of a specialist retail area to Omagh and visitors.
Among other proposals. Omagh's high street will be underpinned as the town's principal shopping and leisure area, complemented in time with new developments nearby. Its historic fabric of churches, narrow streets and barrack buildings such as the courthouse will be conserved and revitalised to become a vibrant part of the town. But even the masterplan document acknowledges that realising Omagh's regeneration opportunities will be a demanding process.
"Achieving our vision will not be easy given the many challenges that lie ahead," it says. "The current economic climate and changes to public administration are currently identified as two factors that will influence the way in which delivery can occur. "But these must not be allowed to derail the critical process of successfully regenerating Omagh's town centre.
"Proactive management, a close working relationship between stakeholders and a genuine, ongoing dialogue with residents hold the key to realising a dynamic and prosperous Omagh town centre."