Carla Lockhart MP and Lord Mayor Margaret Tinsley Welcome Minister Jacob Young to Banbridge to Discuss FE McWilliams successful Leveling Up Bid

Carla Lockhart MP • April 16, 2024

Carla Lockhart, MP for Upper Bann, and Lord Mayor Margaret Tinsley were delighted to host Minister of State Jacob Young, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities, in Banbridge’s FE McWilliams Gallery and Studio. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the expansion plans for the Council’s key art and tourism facility, following the recent success of a £3.6 million Leveling Up funding bid.

The invitation extended by Carla Lockhart MP facilitated a fruitful discussion on the transformative potential of the allocated funding. The proposed plans aim to enhance and extend the existing facility by introducing additional exhibition space, improved education facilities and conferences space. It is hoped that the current visitor numbers of 50,000 per year will increase to 90,000 per year as a result.

Carla Lockhart MP expressed her gratitude for Minister Jacob Young's visit, stating, "I was pleased to welcome Minister Young to Banbridge to discuss the exciting expansion plans for our art and tourism facility. This funding presents a tremendous opportunity to enhance our cultural landscape and bolster our local economy. It will continue to showcase Upper Ban at the very heart of our UK Government. I want to attract money from the Leveling Up Fund for several other projects and therefore take every opportunity I can to highlight the needs.”

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