Pictured from left, are: Barrister Fiona Bate; Linda Sheridan, Department of Rural and Community Development, Ireland; Gina McIntyre, CEO of SEUPB; Communities Minister Gordon Lyons; Jayne Taggart, CEO of Enterprise Causeway; and Barrister David Bate. Photo credits: Ciaran Clancy
The Courthouse Shared Space Creative Hub in Bushmills, designed by Hamilton Architects, has been officially opened, marking a significant milestone for the community, creatives and entrepreneurs on the North Coast.
Supported by the EU PEACEIV Programme, the refurbished and extended Grade B1 Georgian listed building features retail shops, hospitality spaces and bespoke studios for makers and creatives.
The ground floor of the repurposed building is home to The Designerie retail store and Bistro at the Courthouse, which features locally-sourced produce. On the first floor, 12 studio spaces offer artisans the chance to create and sell their work on-site.
The entire top floor is dedicated to events spaces, with stunning original 19th century features including stone floors, beams and lime rendered walls.
In the newly built 15,600sq ft extension, flexible rooms for hire include the MacNaghten Hall with its distinctive Demo Bar, ideal for live cookery demos, supper clubs, and hands-on workshops, as well as designated workshop rooms for meetings and crafts.
Community Minister Gordon Lyons said: “Our historic assets offer us an opportunity to learn about and better understand our past and to bring communities together, into the future, through that understanding… I am confident that this new Shared Space will be a well-used community asset.”
Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development, which provided match-funding along with the Department of Rural and Community Development Ireland, said the project had produced a state-of-the-art, iconic shared space.
“This new common area will undoubtedly improve opportunities for communication between individuals and communities of all backgrounds and will contribute to local economic recovery through the provision of programmes of activities and spaces for start-up and micro businesses.”
