AQW 5610/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 06/02/2024
Answered On Date: 12/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to outline the rationale behind the decision to close the Ballycopeland Windmill Visitor Centre and Ability Cafe.

Answer:

My Department has not taken a decision to close the Ballycopeland Windmill Visitor Centre and Ability Café.

Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL) currently manages the site, and the Department has worked during 2023/24 to attempt to address a subsidy request to support USEL’s continued operation from 2024/25 to 2026/27.

To this point, officials in the Department have not been able to confirm this subsidy due to budget uncertainty beyond this financial year. Unfortunately, this has meant that USEL cannot renew their Service Level Agreement with the Department to continue their Ballycopeland operation beyond 31 March.

I have directed my officials as soon as possible to bring forward recommendations on how best to maintain access to this important heritage asset and the café. I understand the significance of the Windmill and café to the local community and its importance in attracting visitors to the area.