David Mitchell

This time last year, I did a blog post about depressing buildings and ‘public realm’ in the much sought-after seaside towns of Portstewart and Portrush. It got a big response, and I wrote some follow up thoughts. A week later, it appeared to inspire a supportive opinion piece in the Belfast Telegraph.

Naturally, as this year’s holiday approached, I was curious as to whether anything would have changed, for better or worse. And it turns out, it has got better! Marginally!

So here are a few ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots.

In the first blog, I pointed out the post-apocalyptic desolation of the children’s play park at the front of Portstewart. Happily, it has been spruced up. This wall…

…has had a nice lick of paint…

There are new seats and plants…

…and the prison yard lighting is now softened by this bunting.

The paddling pool also now looks healthier, and there is a new climbing frame, replacing the old broken one.

I had some pics of grim-tastic signage last year, and it was good to find these fresh new notices, even if they are a bit biohazard-y.

Another of my themes had been the assortment of plain weird buildings, one of which was this Portrush block of flats…

But it now looks like this. Ta-daa:

Round the corner at Ramore Head, the recreation area, where I have fond memories of playing tennis and crazy golf back in the 90s, had fallen into a long decline. But in the past year, it’s been regenerated, with this superb new play park…

Look closely, though, and you can still see that miserable little shelter up on the path.

In 2022, I also focused on the many dilapidated and frankly terrifying flights of steps in the two towns. They are as they were, apart from this one at the harbour in Portrush…

.

…which has a gleaming new railing, part of other public realm improvements in the vicinity.

Lastly, I’d had a big moan about the prevalence of pebble-dash finish on so many buildings in the area. I am pleased to report one success in the fight against this scourge. My exemplar, this one…

…is now history, and the building under development.

Overall, some good improvements. The bad news is that every one of the derelict buildings I photographed last year remains exactly as it was.

But credit where credit is due, small steps, etc.

Before I go, given that I’m currently drunk on my remarkable influence, I’ll just shout this out in the void: any chance of pedestrianizing Portstewart Promenade and Portrush Main Street? Only sometimes? Even remove one row of car parking from each? Just one??