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13/11/2019
Green Light For Redevelopment Of Primark Site
A bid submitted by Primark to restore its former city centre home at the historic Bank Buildings has been granted approval by Belfast City Council's planning committee.
Councillors passed the multi-million pound redevelopment scheme for the site on Tuesday, with plans for a like-for-like restoration.
The historic nineteenth century building was gutted by a fierce blaze in August 2018 and has been vacant ever since.
SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown welcomed the planning approval and revealed the work could take two to three years to complete.
"When complete, the building will once again take its place as a major landmark in our city centre," the Botanic representative said.
"The Primark fire was devastating not only for the built heritage of the historic Bank Buildings, but also for the wider area, with a significant section of the city centre closed off and businesses badly affected. Now that plans have been approved to restore Bank Buildings to its former glory, this should act as a catalyst to improve the neighbourhood generally, driving forward a vision of what our city centre should be.
"The plans will see the restoration of the building in its totality, with the inclusion of a new fourth floor café with views over the city. Significant effort has gone into stabilising the building and cataloguing stonework that had to be removed. The restoration work is due to replicate the design and finish of the original building, so it will once again feature as an architectural treasure in the heart of Belfast.
"I understand the work will be painstaking and will take two to three years to complete."
Cllr McKeown added: "With the green light now given for the restoration of Bank Buildings, as a city we must look to how it can take its place in an improved city centre. One silver lining from the devastation of the fire was the discovery of just how vibrant Donegall Place and Castle Place could be without vehicles.
"We need a vision for how this area can be transformed into one where pedestrians and cyclists come first, and where there is a safe space for events such as markets and street entertainment to attract a wide range of people into town to enjoy everything it has to offer. This would breathe new life into the area, and make it one where people want to spend time rather than just travel through."
(JG/CM)
Councillors passed the multi-million pound redevelopment scheme for the site on Tuesday, with plans for a like-for-like restoration.
The historic nineteenth century building was gutted by a fierce blaze in August 2018 and has been vacant ever since.
SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown welcomed the planning approval and revealed the work could take two to three years to complete.
"When complete, the building will once again take its place as a major landmark in our city centre," the Botanic representative said.
"The Primark fire was devastating not only for the built heritage of the historic Bank Buildings, but also for the wider area, with a significant section of the city centre closed off and businesses badly affected. Now that plans have been approved to restore Bank Buildings to its former glory, this should act as a catalyst to improve the neighbourhood generally, driving forward a vision of what our city centre should be.
"The plans will see the restoration of the building in its totality, with the inclusion of a new fourth floor café with views over the city. Significant effort has gone into stabilising the building and cataloguing stonework that had to be removed. The restoration work is due to replicate the design and finish of the original building, so it will once again feature as an architectural treasure in the heart of Belfast.
"I understand the work will be painstaking and will take two to three years to complete."
Cllr McKeown added: "With the green light now given for the restoration of Bank Buildings, as a city we must look to how it can take its place in an improved city centre. One silver lining from the devastation of the fire was the discovery of just how vibrant Donegall Place and Castle Place could be without vehicles.
"We need a vision for how this area can be transformed into one where pedestrians and cyclists come first, and where there is a safe space for events such as markets and street entertainment to attract a wide range of people into town to enjoy everything it has to offer. This would breathe new life into the area, and make it one where people want to spend time rather than just travel through."
(JG/CM)
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Seventeen businesses affected by the Primark building fire have been removed from all business rates liability while the Bank Building has been removed from the Valuation List. Northern Ireland Civil Service departments are continuing to work with Belfast City Council and other agencies in response to the fire at Belfast's Bank Buildings.
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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.
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15 March 2004
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08 August 2003
Protest continues on prison roof
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Protest continues on prison roof
Four prisoners are continuing their protest on the roof of Maghaberry Prison today in protest in support of the segregation of paramilitary inmates at the Co Antrim jail. The prisoners began their protest on Thursday night and at one point unfurled a large sheet with the words 'Segregation Now'.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
