Businesses back Love Strabane for third five-year term
Love Strabane, formerly known as Strabane BID, will enter its third term in November 2026 with the new term running until October 2031.
STRABANE businesses have overwhelmingly backed Love Strabane to continue delivering for the town centre for a further five-year term.
A total of 93 per cent of businesses voted Yes in the renewal ballot with 96 per cent of the total NAV voting Yes.
The positive ballot result means Love Strabane, formerly known as Strabane BID, will enter its third term in November 2026 with the new term running until October 2031.
The result provides Love Strabane with a renewed mandate to deliver its ambitious five-year Business Plan, developed through extensive consultation with local businesses and focused on increasing footfall and strengthening the collective voice of the business community.
Chair of Love Strabane, Dr Kieran Kennedy MBE, thanked businesses across Strabane for their support and confidence in the organisation.
Dr Kennedy said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received such a significant level of support and confidence of the Strabane business community to continue the work of Love Strabane for a further five years.
“This result represents a clear endorsement of the role the organisation plays in supporting and promoting businesses across our town.
“I want to sincerely thank every business that took the time to engage with the renewal process and cast their vote.
“We are conscious of the responsibility that comes with this mandate and are determined to repay that confidence by delivering on the priorities set out in our new Business Plan.
“The next five years present huge opportunities for Strabane, with major public investment and regeneration plans for the town and we look forward to working with our business community, council and partners to ensure Strabane is best placed to take advantage.”
The renewal comes at a particularly significant time for Strabane, with major public realm improvements underway, the City Deal regeneration programme progressing and the town continuing its ambitious bid to become Town of Culture 2028.
The new five-year Business Plan represents an investment of approximately £650,000 directly into Strabane town centre, supporting initiatives including targeted marketing campaigns, footfall-driving events and festivals and dedicated business support.
Love Strabane will also continue to operate the popular Love Strabane Gift Card and provide a dedicated Town Centre Manager to represent the interests of local businesses and advocate on their behalf on a range of operational and strategic issues.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, councillor Grace Uí Niallais, who campaigned for a Yes vote and visited local businesses around the town ahead of the ballot, welcomed the result and congratulated Love Strabane and the local business community.
“I am delighted to see Love Strabane receive the support of the local business community for a further five-year term,” she said.
“This result demonstrates the confidence businesses have in the organisation and its ability to represent their interests and deliver positive initiatives for Strabane town centre.
“Love Strabane has played an invaluable role in championing local businesses and helping to create a stronger town centre.
“A united business community will be central to maximising those opportunities and I look forward to seeing Love Strabane continue to play a significant role in shaping the town’s future.”
Further information on Love Strabane and its Business Plan is available at www.lovestrabane.com.