A plan to transform the old Austins Department Store on the Diamond in Derry into a community and cultural hub is to be considered by Derry City and Strabane District Council.
NI Libraries have confirmed they are in discussions with the trust and the Department for Communities in regards to a possible role in the redevelopment.
Last year, the Inner City Trust bought the building, which closed more than ten years ago.
In a statement this afternoon, Foyle MP Colum Eastwood says the redevelopment of Austins has been at the forefront of discussions on the regeneration Derry city centre and these new plans mark exciting progress in the quest to bring this historic building back into public use.
Generations of Derry people have happy memories of visiting Austins with friends and family, he says, and now young people will be able to make their own memories as it is reimagined as a community and cultural hub.
Following on from the announcement of work on the old Danske Bank building, Mr Eastwood says this is another vote of confidence in Derry city centre. He pledges to continue lobbying both the British and Irish Governments for additional funding to enhance the city-centre and bring historic buildings back into public use.
