BCC Launch Projects To Continue Regeneration And Development Of City Centre

Belfast City Council has announced a range of projects to continue the regeneration and development of the city centre, one year on from the Primark fire.Working in partnership with Belfast Chamber, Belfast One and Visit Belfast, the council, Belfast business community and other stakeholders have been continuing the successful work carried out in the wake of the fire, which began in the run up to last Christmas helping increase footfall across much of the city at the peak of the festive period.Already underway is a marketing campaign Make it Belfast, funded by a £300,000 council investment. Led and delivered by Visit Belfast, the Make it Belfast campaign promotes the unique attractions and benefits of central Belfast to shoppers and visitors, and highlights the unique mix of retail on offer, from independent shops to international brands.In addition, the marketing campaign will highlight events planned in the run-up to Christmas. These include events programmed by Belfast One, such as the popular Belfast Restaurant Week.At a recent meeting of the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, members agreed to support a number of initiatives which will continue to attract footfall and revitalise the city centre. Among the initiatives agreed by committee, are:• Developing concept proposals for additional pop-up parks at locations in the city centre to encourage a range of users into Belfast and increase the time they spend there; • developing a lighting and dressing strategy for the city;• improving accessibility and connectivity by enhancing the city’s entries and lanes;• more family-friendly events; and• providing funding to enhance a number of cultural events, e.g. expansion of Culture Night to include Culture Day.