Local councils in Northern Ireland have painted fake shop fronts and covered derelict buildings with huge billboards to hide the economic hardship being felt in towns and villages near the golf resort where G8 leaders will meet this month.

Northern Ireland's government has spent £2m (€2.3m) tackling dereliction over the past two years, the environment department said.

Some buildings have been demolished and others have been given a facelift in an attempt to make areas more attractive.
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In the one-street town of Belcoo, the changes are merely cosmetic.

At a former butcher's shop, stickers applied to the windows show a packed meat counter and give the impression that business is booming.

Across the street, another empty unit has been given a makeover to look like a thriving office supply shop. Locals are unimpressed.

"The shop fronts are cosmetic surgery for serious wounds. They are looking after the banks instead of saving good businesses," said Kevin Maguire, 62, an unemployed man who has lived all his life in Belcoo.

"Where would you see a shop front in Northern Ireland like this anyway? It's more like something you'd find in Belgravia or Chelsea," he said, referring to elite districts of London.
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discipline posted:

lmao