Pictured (L-R) are Denis Rooney, International Fund for Ireland, Mervyn Hempton, East Belfast Enterprises, and Colin Lewis, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

CityEast, a £2.9m workspace development in East Belfast, was officially opened today (15^th January) by Colin Lewis, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), Denis Rooney, International Fund for Ireland, and Mervyn Hempton, East Belfast Enterprises.

Supported by EU Peace & Reconciliation (Peace II) funding administered by DETI, the International Fund for Ireland and East Belfast Enterprises, the landmark development delivers much anticipated workspace for new and established small and medium-sized businesses. CityEast is situated on the Newtownards Road and provides a shared space that is expected to contribute to the regeneration of the area.

The Deputy Secretary for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), Colin Lewis said: “I am delighted that DETI has been able to provide financial assistance towards the development of the CityEast complex, and am pleased that more than one third of the fifty six workspace units within the complex have already been leased, resulting in the creation of over 70 jobs.

“CityEast provides an environment in which businesses can flourish and grow. I am confident that it will continue to contribute to the growth of the local economy and play an important role in the long term prosperity of the area."

Denis Rooney CBE, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, congratulated East Belfast Enterprise on the completion of CityEast and said: “This is a very impressive building, which is ideally situated to serve the whole community of East Belfast. It offers a truly shared space, and fits well with the Fund’s key objective to encourage Unionists and Nationalists to work, learn and live together as part of a shared future.

“I have no doubt that CityEast will promote economic and social advance in the surrounding area for many years to come.”

Margaret Ritchie, Minister for Social Development, said: “I welcome the redevelopment of this site and the new opportunities it provides in terms of business creation and employment. My Department’s contribution to the project by providing the land is evidence of my commitment to encourage economic growth in East Belfast.

“This significant landmark building on the ‘Gateway’ site to East Belfast comes after consultation with the local community. It is a great example of how local initiatives and Government Departments can help stimulate regeneration and bring about much needed jobs to the most deprived neighbourhoods of Belfast.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Naomi Long also attended the opening event. She said: "I am delighted to be here today to welcome this significant investment to the East of the city. In the current financial climate, it is essential we do everything we can to support local business and encourage growth, particularly in the small business sector.

"The CityEast development will provide a gateway to East Belfast and will hopefully be a catalyst for further investment in the area. The news that this project will help create up to 90 new jobs over the next five years is also very welcome, and will provide a real boost to the local economy."

Chairman of East Belfast Enterprises Ltd, Mr Mervyn Hempton said, “We are proud to be officially opening CityEast, the new £3 million Business Centre located on the Lower Newtownards Road, which has been designed to encourage enterprise, assist regeneration and facilitate opportunities in this important East Belfast location. The Business centre offers 20,000sq ft of office space consisting of 56 new hi-spec office workspace units.

“CityEast has already had a regenerating impact on the area and has the potential to create 90 jobs as a result of investment by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the International Fund for Ireland and East Belfast Enterprise.”

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