STRATHROY Community Enterprises was one of the nine finalists and runner-up in this year's British Urban Regeneration Association Awards (BURA).

Martin McColgan, Chairman of Strathroy Community Association, Michael Kelly, Omagh District Council's Urban Community Support Officer, Ivan Armstrong, Housing Executive District Manager and Colm McDaid from Northern Ireland Tenants Action Project (NITAP) travelled to London to receive the prestigious award in the House of Lords.

Strathroy Community Enterprises was opened in 2002 and is based in the former Housing Executive maintenance depot having been converted into seven workspace units.

The BURA Charitable Trust presents the annual awards for community inspired regeneration at a national level. Sponsored by Communities and Local Government the awards are a celebration of communities which have identified and tackled issues in their neighbourhoods and in so doing have improved the quality of life of local people.

Delighted to have received the BURA award, Martin McColgan, Chairman of Strathroy Community Association said, "We are extremely pleased to have received this award which is a real boost to the estate and all the agencies involved in setting up the Strathroy Community Enterprises.

"Our vision was to target the employment, economic and community development needs of the area by providing enterprise development space for the locality. This award recognises the efforts of all concerned and that partnership is the key to the success of the Strathroy Community Enterprises."

Housing Executive District Manager, Ivan Armstrong, paid tribute to the venture and said that it sets an example to the wider community of what can be achieved when a local community works together with statutory and voluntary bodies in order to achieve their goal.

"The units and their central position in the Strathroy estate have a visual impact which has also helped to convey a positive image for the area, and encouraged its regeneration. As well as regenerating the physical infrastructures of the area the Strathroy Community Enterprises has contributed to the economic prosperity of the community and has truly empowered the local people by providing them with this enterprise opportunity.

I am delighted that the Housing Executive has been able to facilitate the Community Association on what is a very worthwhile and beneficial project."

The Chairman of Omagh District Council, Councillor Sean Begley congratulated Strathroy Community Enterprises on the achievement as runner-up in the award, and said he was delighted with the success of the project.

"It is the fruition of partnership working between various agencies to strengthen and empower communities. The Council recognises the value in such partnership working, and will continue to work with the Strathroy Community Enterprise and Strathroy Community Association to bring further development and prosperity to the community".