Bangor Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a delegation from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Chamber to Bangor as part of a growing cross-border partnership between the two coastal business communities.
Organised by Bangor Chamber and Ards & North Down Borough Council, and made possible through the Shared Island Initiative, the visit brought together representatives from both regions to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
In their first trip to Bangor, the delegation toured the city, including a stop at Queen’s Parade to see the progress being made at Marine Gardens.
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the transformation taking place along Bangor’s waterfront, including a new public realm space, recreational facilities, and events area being delivered as part of the wider Queen’s Parade regeneration scheme.
The visit follows the signing of a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding between Bangor Chamber of Commerce and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Chamber earlier this year. The agreement established a Shared Island Economic Partnership for 2026-2030, aimed at strengthening economic links between the two regions.
The partnership is focused on developing Bangor and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown as complementary coastal hubs, with opportunities for collaboration across the blue economy, tourism, sustainable enterprise, innovation and placemaking.
Frank Shivers, President of Bangor Chamber of Commerce, said:
“Bangor and Dún Laoghaire share many similarities as ambitious coastal communities with strong maritime identities and waterfronts undergoing major transformation.
We were delighted to welcome the delegation to Bangor and to give them an opportunity to see the investment and regeneration taking place across the city.”
A spokesperson for Bangor Marine said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome representatives from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Chamber to Marine Gardens and share the progress being made at Queen’s Parade.
With Dún Laoghaire’s waterfront undergoing its own transformation, the visit gave us a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and hear fresh perspectives on how coastal regeneration can support economic growth and tourism.”
Bangor Chamber and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Chamber will continue to develop the partnership through reciprocal visits, business engagement and joint initiatives designed to create new connections and opportunities across the island.
