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Street set to reopen when convent partially demolished

David WilsonBBC News NI
BBC a badly damaged building sits in the middle of a row of gerogian era buildings. metal fencing is around it and a crane can be seen nearbyBBC
Work to remove the shipping container was being undertaken on Thursday

A street in Londonderry partially closed for more than a year due to safety concerns over one of the city's most historic buildings could reopen "within the next two weeks", a Stormont department has said.

The former Convent of Mercy on Pump Street, a Georgian listed building dating back to the early 1800s, had been in a state of disrepair for some time and was further damaged in Storm Amy in October 2025.

Work to remove barriers and shipping containers in place near the building was being carried out on Thursday.

That, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said, will facilitate the building's partial demolition, adding the road will reopen to traffic once that work is complete.

"The road closure permit currently in place for Pump Street is due to expire mid-November," a DfI spokesman said.

"The demolition of the building should be complete within the next two weeks and once this work is complete the road will be reopened to traffic," he added.

Large shipping containers stand upright in a narrow pedestrianised street. Shops line both sides of the street. A number of crash barriers are in front of the container.
Large shipping containers have been placed outside the building since last year

Last month Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) granted consent for phased demolition and repairs on the building.

BBC News NI has asked the Martin property group, who own the building, for comment.

In a statement on Thursday, DCSDC said the removal of the shipping containers is continuing and it continues "to liaise with the owner, local businesses, DfI and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the current works are concluded as soon as possible and to discuss the next steps once this initial work has been completed."

The building's owners, the council said, have 24 months to carry out the works in accordance with the approved plans and conditions.

Traders in the area, some of which have previously said the area had become a no-go zone, are hopeful footfall will increase.

Eoghan Devine stands outside his cafe. The shopfront windows are decorated for Halloween. He is wearing a black jacket with the word Hive written on it.

Cafe owner Eoghan Devine says he is "very happy" the containers are gone.

He said he had seen a "massive difference" in the number of people in the area since their installation.

"It makes the street look a lot better, opens it up… I think now that it's opened up it'll drive more people in that direction," he said.

Pauric Lawne is standing in a shop doorway, wearing a green wollen jumper. He has short blond hair and beard.
Pauric Lawne says it will be nice to see the streets clear of machinery

Pauric Lawne owns a craft shop in the area.

"It's going in the right direction," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"Just unfortunately it was a bit late for Halloween. But it would be nice now to see the street clear of all the machinery and the containers, obviously, and hopefully Christmas markets will go ahead," he said.

For a full year, he added, Pump Street has neither been "safe or inviting" for shoppers.

David Thomas stands outside his goldsmith ship. He has thick black rimmed glasses, balding gray hair, and is wearing a grey hoodie.
The removal of the shipping container is most welcome, David Thomas said.

David Thomas, who runs a goldsmiths on London Street said, also welcomed the removal of the container.

But he said further clarity is needed on the long term plan.

"I'm very happy the shipping containers have gone but on the other hand I haven't got a clue what's going on now," he said.