Menu
15/03/2024
Gresham Street Building Brought Back Into Use After 20 Years
A vacant property on Gresham Street in Belfast's Smithfield area has been brought back into use after 20 years as independent barbershop, High Society Cut Club opens for business.
On Thursday, 14 March, the business opened on the ground floor of 29 Gresham Street, with the support of a Belfast City Council Vacant to Vibrant capital grant, bringing the property back into use after 20 years of vacancy.
Councillor Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee said: "It's fantastic to see our Vacant to Vibrant capital grant scheme supporting small businesses, independent retailers, social enterprises, and cultural and voluntary organisations to transform vacant spaces.
"It's the creativity and unique style of independents like High Society who help to make Belfast a more attractive, diverse, and inclusive place to visit, socialise, study, work, live, and invest in. As well as restoring an old building which has lain vacant for 20 years, this Vacant to Vibrant grant is helping to sustain jobs, create new employment opportunities, and improve the quality of our streetscapes.
"The Smithfield area is going to be absolutely transformed in the lead up to our landmark visitor experience Belfast Stories opening just across the way in 2029. So I'm looking forward to seeing many more applications coming through so we can help people get established in the city centre. These local businesses and organisations are providing employment, helping to deliver an authentic Belfast experience, and fostering a greater sense of pride in the city."
High Society Cut Club owner Hannah McShane said: ‘'We're thrilled to open our traditional barber shop in a part of the city that encapsulates Belfast's rich culture and artistic heritage. Building on this, we have created an authentic experience for our customers that will take them on a journey back in time. This move to the city centre wouldn't have been possible for us without support from property owners, Bywater, and Belfast City Council – we can't wait to see what the future holds for us as city-centre living continues to grow."
Bywater have used the funding to complete external and internal works, including replacing the shopfront, front door, signage, and external rendering, as well as carrying out internal repairs and decoration. The opening of High Society Cut Club is part of their ongoing commitment to responsibly bring this historic part of the city back to life by supporting independent retail businesses across their portfolio of properties in the area.
Next year, High Society Cut Club plan to repurpose the first floor of the property to develop a training academy, offering a beginners' training programme, creating additional employment opportunities and pathways to employment.
High Society Cut Club join Verona Bridal, Skull and Bones Tattoo Studio, Hench Gym and Flax Art Studios in the roster of 19 successful Vacant to Vibrant applicants to date who are breathing new life into Belfast city centre, with many more progressing – ranging from retail, beauty and food and beverage offerings.
Vacant to Vibrant is a key project in Belfast City Council's Future City Centre Programme, which aims to create a vibrant, unique, and thriving place where people spend time, live, work, study, visit and invest. The £1 million pilot capital grant scheme opened in July 2022 in response to the high levels of city centre vacancy, aiming to incentivise both property owners and potential occupiers to bring vacant Belfast city centre spaces back into use, while supporting the city centre's revitalisation and ensuring sustainable rates growth.
As part of the council's wider programme to tackle vacancy, and to support the Vacant to Vibrant scheme, council also provides a matchmaking service through a partnership approach with commercial agent Frazer Kidd, linking businesses with potential units, with the opportunity to access capital funding through the scheme.
Applicants on the scheme also benefit from wrap around support from council's Enterprise and Business Growth team, providing resources to support the start-up or expansion of the business or organisation, including access to one-to-one mentoring and workshops to help with growth and long-term sustainability.
Grants of up to £2.5k are available for pop-up ground floor use (minimum four months), up to £15k for active floor usage up to 150m², and up to £25k for active floor usage over 151m².
For more information, and to watch a video featuring Skull and Bones on North Street, Verona Bridal on Bruce Street and Flax Art Studios on Bedford Street, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/vacanttovibrant
Individuals and organisations wishing to find out more about the Vacant to Vibrant scheme can email the team at vacanttovibrant@belfastcity.gov.uk
On Thursday, 14 March, the business opened on the ground floor of 29 Gresham Street, with the support of a Belfast City Council Vacant to Vibrant capital grant, bringing the property back into use after 20 years of vacancy.
Councillor Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee said: "It's fantastic to see our Vacant to Vibrant capital grant scheme supporting small businesses, independent retailers, social enterprises, and cultural and voluntary organisations to transform vacant spaces.
"It's the creativity and unique style of independents like High Society who help to make Belfast a more attractive, diverse, and inclusive place to visit, socialise, study, work, live, and invest in. As well as restoring an old building which has lain vacant for 20 years, this Vacant to Vibrant grant is helping to sustain jobs, create new employment opportunities, and improve the quality of our streetscapes.
"The Smithfield area is going to be absolutely transformed in the lead up to our landmark visitor experience Belfast Stories opening just across the way in 2029. So I'm looking forward to seeing many more applications coming through so we can help people get established in the city centre. These local businesses and organisations are providing employment, helping to deliver an authentic Belfast experience, and fostering a greater sense of pride in the city."
High Society Cut Club owner Hannah McShane said: ‘'We're thrilled to open our traditional barber shop in a part of the city that encapsulates Belfast's rich culture and artistic heritage. Building on this, we have created an authentic experience for our customers that will take them on a journey back in time. This move to the city centre wouldn't have been possible for us without support from property owners, Bywater, and Belfast City Council – we can't wait to see what the future holds for us as city-centre living continues to grow."
Bywater have used the funding to complete external and internal works, including replacing the shopfront, front door, signage, and external rendering, as well as carrying out internal repairs and decoration. The opening of High Society Cut Club is part of their ongoing commitment to responsibly bring this historic part of the city back to life by supporting independent retail businesses across their portfolio of properties in the area.
Next year, High Society Cut Club plan to repurpose the first floor of the property to develop a training academy, offering a beginners' training programme, creating additional employment opportunities and pathways to employment.
High Society Cut Club join Verona Bridal, Skull and Bones Tattoo Studio, Hench Gym and Flax Art Studios in the roster of 19 successful Vacant to Vibrant applicants to date who are breathing new life into Belfast city centre, with many more progressing – ranging from retail, beauty and food and beverage offerings.
Vacant to Vibrant is a key project in Belfast City Council's Future City Centre Programme, which aims to create a vibrant, unique, and thriving place where people spend time, live, work, study, visit and invest. The £1 million pilot capital grant scheme opened in July 2022 in response to the high levels of city centre vacancy, aiming to incentivise both property owners and potential occupiers to bring vacant Belfast city centre spaces back into use, while supporting the city centre's revitalisation and ensuring sustainable rates growth.
As part of the council's wider programme to tackle vacancy, and to support the Vacant to Vibrant scheme, council also provides a matchmaking service through a partnership approach with commercial agent Frazer Kidd, linking businesses with potential units, with the opportunity to access capital funding through the scheme.
Applicants on the scheme also benefit from wrap around support from council's Enterprise and Business Growth team, providing resources to support the start-up or expansion of the business or organisation, including access to one-to-one mentoring and workshops to help with growth and long-term sustainability.
Grants of up to £2.5k are available for pop-up ground floor use (minimum four months), up to £15k for active floor usage up to 150m², and up to £25k for active floor usage over 151m².
For more information, and to watch a video featuring Skull and Bones on North Street, Verona Bridal on Bruce Street and Flax Art Studios on Bedford Street, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/vacanttovibrant
Individuals and organisations wishing to find out more about the Vacant to Vibrant scheme can email the team at vacanttovibrant@belfastcity.gov.uk
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 July 2023
New 'Vacant To Vibrant' Scheme To Benefit Belfast City Centre
Four Belfast-based businesses have been selected to benefit from the 'Vacant to Vibrant' scheme, a new Belfast City Council capital grant scheme designed to revitalise the city centre.
New 'Vacant To Vibrant' Scheme To Benefit Belfast City Centre
Four Belfast-based businesses have been selected to benefit from the 'Vacant to Vibrant' scheme, a new Belfast City Council capital grant scheme designed to revitalise the city centre.
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.
16 November 2023
New Spaces And Places To Redefine Belfast City Region
A new initiative to drive the development of new spaces and places that sustainably boost employment, improve tourism and cultural infrastructure, deliver homes and support community and neighbourhood regeneration has been announced, with the redefinition of the Belfast City Region.
New Spaces And Places To Redefine Belfast City Region
A new initiative to drive the development of new spaces and places that sustainably boost employment, improve tourism and cultural infrastructure, deliver homes and support community and neighbourhood regeneration has been announced, with the redefinition of the Belfast City Region.
08 July 2022
New Grant Scheme Aims To Revitalise Belfast City Centre
Belfast City Council has announced a new two-year pilot capital grant scheme to incentivise property owners and potential occupiers to bring vacant Belfast city centre spaces back into use and support the city centre's revitalisation.
New Grant Scheme Aims To Revitalise Belfast City Centre
Belfast City Council has announced a new two-year pilot capital grant scheme to incentivise property owners and potential occupiers to bring vacant Belfast city centre spaces back into use and support the city centre's revitalisation.
-
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.
