30/01/2014

Major Extension For Waterfront Hall

Funding has been secured for a proposed extension of Belfast's Waterfront Hall, Belfast City Council has announced.

The council will put up £11m of the £29.5m needed for the project, which will include a conference and exhibition centre. The remaining funds will see £14.5m come from the European Regional Development Fund and the £4m will come from the tourist board.

BCC have said that they expect work to begin in the summer, with all work estimated to be completed by December 2015.

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said: "This is great news for both tourism and the economy, following on the heels of the newly opened Visit Belfast Welcome Centre.

"It will also provide employment opportunities with up to 400 construction jobs created during the building phase and the contract will include social clauses to provide placement opportunities for the unemployed, apprentices, students and trainees."

Alderman Gavin Robinson, Chairman of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, added: "Business tourism is recognised as being a significant growth area for Belfast during the next 10 years and we believe the new facilities will enable the Waterfront to attract 50,000 conference delegates to Belfast every year – twice the current rate.

(MH/CD)

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