Coleraine enterprise zone status ‘expired’
Critics say campus did not live up to its promise and secured just one tenant
ENTERPRISE zone status for a location close to Ulster University in Coleraine has expired after a decade in existence, Economy Minister Conor Murphy has said.
The zone in part of land leased by Ulster University and where a high-speed internet link with the US is located had been given special tax status in order to attract businesses
But in the 10 years since it was established, the campus has cost at least £3m and attracted a sole tenant, Prescient Data Centre.
An Assembly question by SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead Mclaughlin asked the Economy Minister whether the Coleraine Enterprise Zone is now closed or is to be closed.
Its closure has been anticipated to make way for a £150m enhanced investment zone announced for Northern Ireland in the January deal between the DUP and government to restore power-sharing.
In his response to Ms Mclaughlin, Conor Murphy said: “The enterprise zone designation at Coleraine expired on March 16 2024.”
A DFE spokesperson told Business Telegraph: “The British government has committed to rolling out an enhanced investment zone in the north of Ireland, working in partnership with the NI Executive.
“The Minister has indicated that officials will work collaboratively with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) in London to develop a proposition that could make use of the available funding in line with his economic vision.”
But Ms Mclaughlin, the SDLP opposition economy spokesperson, said: “It’s fair to say that the Coleraine enterprise zone has failed to live up to expectations and as we await news of a new ‘enhanced investment zone’, I know many people will be concerned that it will become another wasted opportunity.
“I have made it clear to the
Economy Minister that he cannot wash his hands of this proposal from the British government that could help bring jobs and investment to places that have been left behind in Northern Ireland.
“He should make robust representations to the Treasury to ensure that it is targeted towards the North West City Region in order to make a maximum impact to the prosperity of Northern Ireland.
“Although this intervention is
led by the British government, the Minister has a duty to fight for the investment that Northern Ireland needs in a way that will work best for the region. Months after it was announced, I am concerned that there is still a total lack of clarity in the department on the location or expected impact of the zone.
“So far, the levelling up agenda led by the government has abjectly failed.”
Economic commentator Paul Gosling said the zone generated capital investment through the presence of the data centre but that the centre itself had brought few jobs.
“This was a problem more generally with the enterprise zone model. There were also criticisms that the footprint was too small, even in terms of the area of Coleraine it covered.”
In June last year, the council advertised for expressions of interest in setting up in the enterprise zone through commercial property agents NRE Properties. Colin Mcaleese from NRE told