Planners set to back Odyssey Pavilion transformation

Major proposals to transform Belfast’s Odyssey Pavilion have been recommended for approval after the project was deemed to be “very much in keeping with the character” of the complex.The Odyssey is located at a key gateway into the Titanic Quarter and sits on the chain of regeneration that links the area to the capital’s city centre of Belfast. Opened in 2001, the Pavilion comprises a number of bars and restaurants, a nightclub, a bowling alley, a 12-screen cinema and a 3D Imax facility.It connects on its eastern side to the SSE Arena Belfast; Northern Ireland’s largest indoor venue.Proposed is a project designed to “improve the overall visual quality of the Pavilion, making it a much more attractive and user-friendly destination”.It hopes to address key issues such as vacant units, an “underused” central courtyard, some sites not generating activity beyond their shopfront and access to upper levels being unclear, among other identified concerns.A number of proposals have been put forward, the main one being to create a more dynamic image for the building when seen from the city/M3 road and make it more inviting.The main mall would be reorganised to open it up to the fast-developing Titanic Quarter, while a “strong commercial anchor” would also be established at the north end of the site in a bid to pull visitors “deep into the plan, resulting in greater footfall in front of the restaurant and leisure units that are more remote from the main city entrance”.Also proposed is increasing the restaurant frontage on two levels, with clear defined routes to the upper level cinema and arena. A flexible framework which would accommodate a variety of unit sizes and configurations – facilitating future change in response to market conditions and tenancy requirements – is lined up too.Elsewhere, the entrance towards the south of the Pavillion would be widened and given “more visual prominence” as part of efforts to “create a more attractive first impression on approaching and entering”.A health centre and climbing wall are also lined up.A report to Belfast City Council ahead of the authority’s planning meeting on 13 February states: “The proposed changes/alterations are very much in keeping with the character of this established complex and are appropriate to its city centre location.”It has therefore been recommended for approval.