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23/05/2019
Other News In Brief
SDLP Call For Pedestrianised City Centre
The SDLP Group Leader on Belfast City Council, Councillor Donal Lyons, has called for a review of pedestrian access in the city centre.
It comes as the Primark cordon was reduced this morning, 23 May, opening up the Castle Place junction for traffic, nine months after a blaze ravaged the historic Bank Buildings.
Cllr Lyons said the pedestrianisation of areas had been a huge success and created a more vibrant, welcome and liveable city.
He commented: "Traders in the city centre have endured months of reduced access and reduced business opportunities as a result of the fire at Bank Buildings. Belfast City Council has been coordinating an effort following the fire to stimulate economic activity.
"In the middle of this disaster, however, we've had a glimpse of how we can reimagine our streetscapes to make the city centre more vibrant, welcoming and liveable. The pedestrianisation of routes around Bank Buildings has created new opportunities for street commerce, children's play and has made this area of the city safer for people going about their daily business.
"Rather than fall back onto the old vehicle thoroughfare model, this is an opportunity to carry out a review of city centre access. We should be exploring active travel options, providing further options for street trade and looking at a full transformation of the heart of Belfast.
"That's why we're calling on the council to pedestrianise the area around Castle Place and Donegall place, noting a Department for Infrastructure consultation on the future use of this space. We need to be ambitious and creative about how we create a better Belfast."
Spring Continental Market Opens In Belfast
Crowds have gathered at Belfast City Hall today for the opening of the Spring Continental Market.
Open throughout the bank holiday weekend, the event showcases a range of treats from across the world, in similar fashion to the popular Christmas market.
Opening hours are as follows:
• Thursday 23, Friday 24 and Saturday 25- 10am to 10pm
• Sunday 26- 12noon to 6pm
• Monday 27- 10am to 6pm
County Antrim Cliff Path Wins Major Infrastructure Award
County Antrim's famous Gobbins cliff path has been praised for its ambitious infrastructure with a major industry award.
The Islandmagee route was recognised at the AECOM Excellence Awards, fighting off competition from the likes of Irish Water in the project delivery category.
The Northern Ireland tourist attraction is a 1.2 mile-long cliff walk which weaves its way along the basalt cliffs of the world famous Causeway Coast across a suspension bridge, tunnels and along pathways.
The attraction was celebrated for the innovative techniques and collaborative working applied by the project team to successfully re-open the coastal path ahead of schedule following its temporary closure after severe storms in 2016.
Paul McAleese, Project Director, AECOM, said: "The Gobbins cliff path is a spectacular project location, but it also presented a number of engineering challenges for our team. Working closely with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the project’s contractor, we were able to introduce a number of innovations that enabled us to speed up delivery of this complex project and reopen the attraction before peak tourist season. We're delighted the project has been recognised with an excellence award, which is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved."
Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Anne Donaghy added: "This award is testament to the hard work and commitment of the teams of people involved to bring this project to fruition. The area continues to reap the benefits it brings in terms of footfall, economic traffic and investments.
"The ongoing success of The Gobbins and Mid and East Antrim's other key tourism sites has had an invaluable knock-on effect for the local economy, boosting investment and creating jobs. This prestigious award reinforces the decision to invest in this attraction's future, with council committing a portion of the £80million investment from City Deal to bolster its position as one of Northern Ireland’s top tourism attractions."
(JG/CM)
The SDLP Group Leader on Belfast City Council, Councillor Donal Lyons, has called for a review of pedestrian access in the city centre.
It comes as the Primark cordon was reduced this morning, 23 May, opening up the Castle Place junction for traffic, nine months after a blaze ravaged the historic Bank Buildings.
Cllr Lyons said the pedestrianisation of areas had been a huge success and created a more vibrant, welcome and liveable city.
He commented: "Traders in the city centre have endured months of reduced access and reduced business opportunities as a result of the fire at Bank Buildings. Belfast City Council has been coordinating an effort following the fire to stimulate economic activity.
"In the middle of this disaster, however, we've had a glimpse of how we can reimagine our streetscapes to make the city centre more vibrant, welcoming and liveable. The pedestrianisation of routes around Bank Buildings has created new opportunities for street commerce, children's play and has made this area of the city safer for people going about their daily business.
"Rather than fall back onto the old vehicle thoroughfare model, this is an opportunity to carry out a review of city centre access. We should be exploring active travel options, providing further options for street trade and looking at a full transformation of the heart of Belfast.
"That's why we're calling on the council to pedestrianise the area around Castle Place and Donegall place, noting a Department for Infrastructure consultation on the future use of this space. We need to be ambitious and creative about how we create a better Belfast."
Spring Continental Market Opens In Belfast
Crowds have gathered at Belfast City Hall today for the opening of the Spring Continental Market.
Open throughout the bank holiday weekend, the event showcases a range of treats from across the world, in similar fashion to the popular Christmas market.
Opening hours are as follows:
• Thursday 23, Friday 24 and Saturday 25- 10am to 10pm
• Sunday 26- 12noon to 6pm
• Monday 27- 10am to 6pm
County Antrim Cliff Path Wins Major Infrastructure Award
County Antrim's famous Gobbins cliff path has been praised for its ambitious infrastructure with a major industry award.
The Islandmagee route was recognised at the AECOM Excellence Awards, fighting off competition from the likes of Irish Water in the project delivery category.
The Northern Ireland tourist attraction is a 1.2 mile-long cliff walk which weaves its way along the basalt cliffs of the world famous Causeway Coast across a suspension bridge, tunnels and along pathways.
The attraction was celebrated for the innovative techniques and collaborative working applied by the project team to successfully re-open the coastal path ahead of schedule following its temporary closure after severe storms in 2016.
Paul McAleese, Project Director, AECOM, said: "The Gobbins cliff path is a spectacular project location, but it also presented a number of engineering challenges for our team. Working closely with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the project’s contractor, we were able to introduce a number of innovations that enabled us to speed up delivery of this complex project and reopen the attraction before peak tourist season. We're delighted the project has been recognised with an excellence award, which is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved."
Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Anne Donaghy added: "This award is testament to the hard work and commitment of the teams of people involved to bring this project to fruition. The area continues to reap the benefits it brings in terms of footfall, economic traffic and investments.
"The ongoing success of The Gobbins and Mid and East Antrim's other key tourism sites has had an invaluable knock-on effect for the local economy, boosting investment and creating jobs. This prestigious award reinforces the decision to invest in this attraction's future, with council committing a portion of the £80million investment from City Deal to bolster its position as one of Northern Ireland’s top tourism attractions."
(JG/CM)
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20 January 2023
Irish Language Tours Of Belfast City Cemetery Announced
Belfast City Council has announced two free tours of of Belfast City Cemetery delivered in Irish, taking place this February and March. The tours will focus on the city's development in the nineteenth century and the people behind the revival of the Irish language, including the role of Protestant Irish enthusiasts.
Irish Language Tours Of Belfast City Cemetery Announced
Belfast City Council has announced two free tours of of Belfast City Cemetery delivered in Irish, taking place this February and March. The tours will focus on the city's development in the nineteenth century and the people behind the revival of the Irish language, including the role of Protestant Irish enthusiasts.
19 September 2018
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
15 March 2004
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
02 March 2022
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
23 July 2009
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
