BUSKFEST 2005

Due to the success of the first Buskfest street busking event held last June in Banbridge Town Centre, plans are underway to make the event even bigger and better for June 2005, including the development of two new evening events - Friday night musicfest - live music in the pubs and Saturday night gigfest - end of event concert held within the town centre.

There is good support for Buskfest among traders following the success of last years festival. An evaluation report carried out after the 2004 event highlighted the following figures.

48% overall increase in visitor numbers on the day

50% of businesses experienced an increase in turnover on the day

23% of visitors had travelled over 10 miles to visit the event

100% of traders support the development of the event for future years

72% of visitors to the town were aware of the event prior to arrival

61% of visitors intended to stay longer than usual in the town centre

It is anticipated that the additional entertainment will widen the appeal of the festival and benefit the town by attracting new visitors to the town centre.

   'GET HOME SAFE' CAMPAIGN

Banbridge is well known for it's thriving night time scene, with increased numbers of young revellers coming to the town each weekend. In response to this, the Night traders Association and Town Centre Manager have taken steps to promote the personal safety of visitors after they leave their premises by launching the town's first ever 'Get Home Safe' Campaign.

The association are keen to develop the night time economy in a safe and responsible manner and working to ensure the safety of all visitors is key to this development.

The project, encourages young people heading out to think twice about how they will get home at the end of the evening. As part of the campaign small cards providing advice to young people on how to plan their evening and get home safe will be available from all night time venues, takeaways and taxi companies. The card which has been designed to slip into a wallet or purse, contains a list of contact numbers for taxi companies and the police. There is also a reminder that Banbridge has a CCTV system.

The 'Get Home' Safe' campaign has been funded by Banbridge District Community Safety Partnership through the Northern Ireland Office's Community Safety Unit.

Banbridge District Policing Partnership aims to launch an initiative early in 2005 which will compliment this campaign.

The Partnership hopes to work with second year students from the Upper Bann Institute and the local crime prevention Officer in order to develop a video / DVD promoting personal safety when out at night.

The video will be made available to all nightclubs and pubs throughout the district.

   A TASTE OF FRANCE

Visitors to Banbridge were able to sample some Gallic delights at a French Market held in Solitude Park in the Town Centre. The market which has proved popular in the South of Ireland made its debut visit to the North in Banbridge. The traders are mainly from the North of France and will be touring throughout the island for several years.

From wild boar sausages to traditional French crepes, endless varieties  of olives, perfumes, soap and household goods the continental visitors brought a splash of colour and exotic smells to Banbridge.

SHOP WATCH PROJECT TO GO AHEAD

Banbridge businesses have been successful in their bid for funding for a town centre radio shop watch scheme. The Community Safety Unit has announced that the 30-radio scheme would receive a funding package in the region of £13,000 over a period of three years. The scheme, which aims to improve communication between the business community, PSNI and CCTV will be a major step forward in detecting and preventing town centre crime. See future projects for further details.

BUS STATION REMAINS TOP PRIORITY

At a recent meeting between –Banbridge Community Regeneration Ltd,-Director of Development for Banbridge District Council, and Translink, plans for the development of a bus station for Banbridge were progressed. Following the meeting, John Dobson- chairman of the regeneration company commented “' Banbridge is one of the fastest growing towns in Northern Ireland with a large number of people commuting daily to work in Belfast. It is essential that the infrastructure is put in place to support this increased population and a bus station is an integral part of transportation plans'.“ Translink have identified several sites in the town centre as possible locations and a full appraisal of each site concluding with a recommendation of the costs and benefits of each option will be prepared.