Love Strabane has launched an ambitious new five-year Business Plan, setting out a bold vision for the future of the town centre and calling on local businesses to support the upcoming BID renewal ballot.
The vote will help shape the organisationโs strategic direction for the years ahead.
The new Business Plan, which will guide Love Strabane's work from 2026 to 2031, has been shaped directly by consultation with local businesses and introduces five strategic pillars designed to support growth, enhance the town centre experience and ensure Strabane continues to thrive in the years ahead.
Formerly known as Strabane BID, Love Strabane has spent more than a decade championing the interests of local businesses, delivering projects and initiatives that have enhanced the town centre, promoting local enterprise and helping to strengthen Strabane's reputation as a vibrant place to live, work, visit and invest.
The launch comes ahead of the organisation's renewal ballot, with eligible businesses set to receive voting papers and a copy of the Business Plan in early September. Businesses will have six weeks to consider their vote, with postal ballots closing on 15 October.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uรญ Niallais said it was vital that businesses support the continuation of Love Strabane at a pivotal moment in the town's development.
She said:
Love Strabane has played an invaluable role in championing and supporting local businesses, helping to create a stronger, more vibrant and more resilient town centre. Through its work it has successfully provided a collective voice for businesses and delivered real benefits for the town. This renewal ballot comes at a hugely important time for Strabane. Significant investment is already transforming the town through major public realm improvements, while the City Deal Strabane regeneration programme will bring once in a generation opportunities for growth and economic development.
โOn top of all this, the town's ambitious bid to become Town of Culture 2028 demonstrates the confidence and ambition that exists across the wider community. To maximise these opportunities, it is essential that businesses have a strong representative organisation that can advocate on their behalf, support collaboration and ensure the business community is at the heart of Strabane's future success. I would therefore encourage all eligible businesses to take the time to review the Business Plan and support the renewal ballot so that Love Strabane can continue the excellent work it has delivered to date and help shape the next exciting chapter for our town.
Chair of Love Strabane, Dr Kieran Kennedy MBE, said:
This ambitious yet achievable Business Plan has been developed directly from feedback received from local businesses and sets out a clear vision for the future of Strabane town centre. As the only organisation dedicated to representing the collective voice of businesses in the town, Love Strabane plays a vital role in promotion, advocacy and support. I would encourage all eligible businesses to carefully consider the proposals and support the continuation of Love Strabane by voting YES in the upcoming renewal ballot.
The new Business Plan reflects changing business needs, evolving town centre dynamics and the opportunities presented by major public investment programmes. It sets out a roadmap for supporting businesses, increasing footfall, enhancing the town's profile and creating a thriving town centre that benefits businesses, residents and visitors alike.
Businesses can view the full Business Plan and find out more about the renewal ballot process by visiting Love Strabane's website - Love Strabane โ Your place for Strabane Gift Cards
