Construction work begins to transform site of former Co Antrim PSNI station


Work to transform the site of a former PSNI station in Co Antrim into an entrepreneurial hub has begun.

The site of the former Glengormley PSNI station which closed in 2012 has lay vacant since the council purchased the land from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in 2015. Now, it is set to be the home of a new £8.6million Workspace Hub.

Funding for the project was granted under the UK Government's Levelling Up scheme which allocated £3.88million to the project alongside £4.7million from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

Read more: NI town's dereliction issue a 'long term problem' that needs to be fixed

Read more: MLA hits out as Stormont vote to delay free hospital parking

Once complete the Hub will have a maximum capacity of 300 people. The Council’s vision is that this increase in day-time population will bring a vibrancy and economic boost to the many other businesses and eateries in the town.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Majella McAlister, Director of Economic Development and Planning at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said that they purchased the site to begin a "major regeneration" of the town.

"It was bought to really stimulate growth and bring more investment into the town centre. What we wanted to do was to provide a really modern, accessible, high-quality space for entrepreneurs. At the minute we don't have this kind of offering in Glengormley or this area and if we want to attract people in then we are going to have to create the spaces for them.

"Importantly what we want to do is create an environment where we are able to bring the services to those businesses and entrepreneurs. Those may be council services that we are running, it may be projects that are offered by InvestNI and our local enterprise agencies and really wrap those around those entrepreneurs and those early start businesses to really give them the best chance whenever they are getting up and going."

Majella McAlister, Director of Economic Development and Planning at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council speaking to Belfast Live -Credit:Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live
Majella McAlister, Director of Economic Development and Planning at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council speaking to Belfast Live -Credit:Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live

This development is part of a broader plan to enhance the workspace landscape across the Borough. Alongside similar hubs set to open in strategic locations in Antrim and Ballyclare, the Glengormley Workspace Hub promises to revolutionise workspace amenities, providing wrap-around professional support, empowering local entrepreneurs and small businesses with best in class facilities.

Michael McKenna, Deputy Director of Investment at the council said: "This project will be a really high quality workspace and we think that it will be attractive to businesses of all shapes and sizes. We think that there will be so much on offer for people who want to take their first steps into starting a business.

"Equally, for businesses that want to grow in a high quality space and take advantage of the support network that will be in the building, we think it will be so attractive.

"This building will have a real combination of flexible workspaces. We will have a high degree of collaborative space which can be rented out on an individual basis where you can come in and hotdesk for the day. Equally, there is also dedicated office space as well.

"Central to the building will be our atrium space which runs the full three stories and really what that will do is provide a central activity space for presentations, for workshops and bring a real buzz to the community of businesses in the building."

Michael McKenna, Deputy Director of Investment at the council -Credit:Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live
Michael McKenna, Deputy Director of Investment at the council -Credit:Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live

The Department for Communities played an important role in the preparation of the site for this exciting project, providing funding and supporting the delivery of a meanwhile use space on the site.

Gordon Lyons, Minister for Communities added: “I welcome this investment in Glengormley to create a modern Workspace Hub on the former Police Station site which will drive inward investment and create opportunities for people.

"I was excited to be on site today to mark the beginning of the construction phase, and to hear about the other ambitious regeneration projects my Department and Council have planned for Glengormley.”

The Glengormley Workspace Hub is integral to a larger regeneration project in the town, including the renovation of shop front facades, major enhancements to the Farmley Road Car park and commercial area, and a new right-hand turning lane at the junction of Church Way and Glenwell Road.

A significant public realm scheme will also commence in early 2025 and will include new footpaths, street furniture, lighting and increased pedestrian space.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.