A street in Belfast city centre is set to become fully pedestrianised from this week on.
In what was initially part of an experiment amid a revitalisation scheme, parklets, lighting, and street furniture were installed on Union Street.
Following the success of this experiment, with businesses in the area reporting higher footfall and turnover, as well as additional businesses looking to move into the area, the pedestrianisation will be made permanent from Sunday, December 11.
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The Cathedral Quarter revitalisation scheme is funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), Department for Infrastructure (DfI), Belfast City Council and Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District.
Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: “This scheme is such a positive move for the city centre – and another important step forward in realising our Bolder Vision for Belfast in terms of providing the right infrastructure to support the development of sustainable and active travel, as well as supporting the city centre offer and encouraging new city centre living.
"It’s enhanced both the area’s ambience and people’s safety when they’re enjoying neighbouring hospitality venues, which are also ambitions of our Future City Centre Programme.
“Lighting and artwork have also been installed in Exchange Place and Warehouse Lane, as well as a retractable canopy to support resident businesses’ and organisations’ outdoor activities.
"I’m delighted to hear local businesses reporting a full recovery to their pre-pandemic footfall levels as a result, and in some cases, the investment has driven additional footfall. You can really feel the pride in the area, with many businesses already upgrading their premises, or planning to invest in further enhancing their properties."
Tzvetelina Bogoina, Chairperson of the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), who helped facilitate the project, added: “We’re so proud of our staff who have worked tirelessly with our partners from inception to delivery of this initiative.
"It’s been particularly gratifying to see the increase in footfall and that one new business has already opened on Union Street, with at least another two businesses interested in locating here in future.
“We’re confident that this regeneration scheme will be a catalyst for further development not only in the Cathedral Quarter, but in the wider area. It’s a fine example of what can be achieved when all project partners have a shared vision!”
Allen Gordon, PR & Entertainments Manager at Union Street Bar said: "The new parklet area has transformed Union Street in a very positive way. Post pandemic, the desire to sit outside has increased dramatically and the ability to allow people this choice has been invaluable to us as a business.
"It's great to enter the street and see people from all hospitality businesses sitting outside and bringing the area to life. This part of town needed, and still needs, a drastic improvement but the new parklet has brought us more in-line with the City Centre vibe and offered us a ‘rejuvenation’ starting point from which we can build on in the near future.
"We are delighted with the business it has brought to the area and it also helps with encouraging tourists to come to this part of the city. It allows us to compete with the likes of Dublin and many other major cities in the UK and Europe."
Mark Hassan, Operations Officer at The Maverick, said the parklet has helped increase footfall. He said: "After an extended difficult period for the hospitality sector, the addition of an outdoor facility has helped to drive footfall into the area.
"We're pleased to see customers enjoying the space at all times and look forward to maximising the use of the area.
"As a result of the increased footfall in the street, we were pleased to have been able to expand with the opening of The Reporter bar, a nod to the journalism heritage of the area."
Leigh-Anne Sloan is one of the Company Directors of Spaghetti Arms restaurant. She said: "We're pleased to see more visitors and increased activity on the street since the parklets were installed. It's been great.
"It has also allowed us to adapt the way we operate to include sit-in dining. Visitors to Union Street tend to support a number of the businesses when they are here."
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