Bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues are part of a £3 million plan to regenerate the Union and Smithfield area of Belfast City Centre.
Vertigo Group said it has submitted plans for its recently purchased site which include the Haymarket bar and surrounding units on the corner of Royal Avenue and Gresham Street in the city.
It had previously leased the Haymarket which had most recently been known as the Hudson bar.
The project spans 24,000 square feet and will create a “dynamic network of nightlife spots” on a site which has lain vacant for a number of years.
Around 40 jobs will be supported during the construction phase while the company said the new venues will see the create of 50 new permanent jobs once up and running.
Gareth Murphy, Chief Executive of Vertigo Group, said the plans are transformational for the area.
“Following the success of Haymarket, we plan to create a dining and nightlife hotspot with several restaurant and bar areas within the site catering to a variety of different customers. Through the project we hope to attract footfall to the Union and Smithfield area and to attract more investment into expanding the city’s night-time economy.
“The location will further benefit from Belfast City Council’s plans to build the ‘Belfast Stories’ cultural hub in the former Bank of Ireland building on the opposite corner, drawing additional footfall to the area.”
He said the plans take into consideration the history of the site which was, as the name suggests, a hay market back in the 19 th century.
“Our commitment to the development of Belfast as a leisure and tourist destination is at the heart of our organisation and we are thrilled to be rejuvenating such an iconic area. We have taken care to ensure that the regeneration plans maintain the integrity and celebrate the history of the site. This city is full of stunning architecture and a rich history, and as part of our plans we have included tributes to the area’s past to preserve and honour that history.”
