Menu
16/02/2010
Berry Street To Ripen?
Shoppers and businesses in Belfast city centre may soon see benefits as a famous old street that once led from west Belfast into the city centre looks likely to be reopened.
A group called the Forum for Alternative Belfast is currently lobbying business owners with ideas which would make Bank Square - just behind Royal Avenue (pictured) - "the best urban space in the city".
As well as ideas for the city centre square for new buildings, the reopening of once-thriving Berry Street, which was crudely walled-off when CastleCourt was built in the late 1980s, has been mooted too.
The Forum for Alternative Belfast is a not-for-profit organisation of architects and planners. The Forum seeks to affect change to Belfast's built environment. They offer an independent forum for discussion and development of ideas on buildings, spaces and the streets we use every day.
According to the Andersonstown News, Mark Hackett, Forum co-founder, said: "In this case we are essentially lobbying the various owners in the area with an idea for a vibrant square made of buildings with active uses on ground floor – this is essential if the square is to succeed.
"We are also lobbying the Department for Social Development (DSD) to ensure their plans enable this reconfiguring of buildings to happen.
"DSD have commissioned a design for the square paving – but the Forum believes this needs to extend to helping resolve all the building issues and problems in the square.
"It is vital that a design can lead this process and that a good design for the buildings and the space can help solve all the multiple problems currently in the area," he added.
They said that Berry Street should re-open as an 'active street' – with shops and cafes both sides – leading into a square which has new and repaired buildings on all sides.
"Because of this authentic and vibrant potential mix of uses and businesses, Bank Square could quickly become the best urban space in the city – there is no doubt about that," said Mark.
"There are funds there to pave the space, all the private owners around the space are interested in building and therefore it just takes the final step of coming together to say, let's make this happen. It is in all our interests," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
A group called the Forum for Alternative Belfast is currently lobbying business owners with ideas which would make Bank Square - just behind Royal Avenue (pictured) - "the best urban space in the city".
As well as ideas for the city centre square for new buildings, the reopening of once-thriving Berry Street, which was crudely walled-off when CastleCourt was built in the late 1980s, has been mooted too.
The Forum for Alternative Belfast is a not-for-profit organisation of architects and planners. The Forum seeks to affect change to Belfast's built environment. They offer an independent forum for discussion and development of ideas on buildings, spaces and the streets we use every day.
According to the Andersonstown News, Mark Hackett, Forum co-founder, said: "In this case we are essentially lobbying the various owners in the area with an idea for a vibrant square made of buildings with active uses on ground floor – this is essential if the square is to succeed.
"We are also lobbying the Department for Social Development (DSD) to ensure their plans enable this reconfiguring of buildings to happen.
"DSD have commissioned a design for the square paving – but the Forum believes this needs to extend to helping resolve all the building issues and problems in the square.
"It is vital that a design can lead this process and that a good design for the buildings and the space can help solve all the multiple problems currently in the area," he added.
They said that Berry Street should re-open as an 'active street' – with shops and cafes both sides – leading into a square which has new and repaired buildings on all sides.
"Because of this authentic and vibrant potential mix of uses and businesses, Bank Square could quickly become the best urban space in the city – there is no doubt about that," said Mark.
"There are funds there to pave the space, all the private owners around the space are interested in building and therefore it just takes the final step of coming together to say, let's make this happen. It is in all our interests," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 May 2003
Marathon organisers warn of traffic disruption
Organisers of this year's 22nd Belfast City Marathon are warning motorists of the expected traffic disruption throughout most of Bank Holiday Monday. Disruption can be expected along the routes of both the main Belfast City Marathon and the associated Fun Run which begins at City Hall.
Marathon organisers warn of traffic disruption
Organisers of this year's 22nd Belfast City Marathon are warning motorists of the expected traffic disruption throughout most of Bank Holiday Monday. Disruption can be expected along the routes of both the main Belfast City Marathon and the associated Fun Run which begins at City Hall.
17 January 2013
Belfast City Centre Works Announced
Motorists who use Belfast city centre could be in line for delays at the end of January, following the approval of the next phase of roadworks. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that the next phase of the Belfast on the Move works will begin on 28 January.
Belfast City Centre Works Announced
Motorists who use Belfast city centre could be in line for delays at the end of January, following the approval of the next phase of roadworks. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that the next phase of the Belfast on the Move works will begin on 28 January.
28 October 2003
Belfast braced for Hallowe’en ‘spooktacular’
Belfast is preparing to ‘vamp it up’ for a Hallowe’en 'spooktacular' on the evening of Friday, October 31.
Belfast braced for Hallowe’en ‘spooktacular’
Belfast is preparing to ‘vamp it up’ for a Hallowe’en 'spooktacular' on the evening of Friday, October 31.
28 March 2024
Rates Suspension And Refunds For Victoria Square Apartment Owners
The owners of the disputed Victoria Square Apartments will no longer be charged rates, with refunds to be issued for rates paid since April 2019. The valuation of properties within the Victoria Square apartment block has been subject to review by Land & Property Services (LPS) as part of an ongoing valuation appeals process.
Rates Suspension And Refunds For Victoria Square Apartment Owners
The owners of the disputed Victoria Square Apartments will no longer be charged rates, with refunds to be issued for rates paid since April 2019. The valuation of properties within the Victoria Square apartment block has been subject to review by Land & Property Services (LPS) as part of an ongoing valuation appeals process.
10 December 2013
Bomb Scare In Belfast City Centre 'A Hoax'
A bomb scare beside Belfast City Hall this morning that led to the closure of streets in the city centre has been declared a hoax by police. Army bomb experts were sent to Donegall Square West this morning. Upper Queen Street and Donegall Square West were closed to traffic and pedestrians. Wellington Street was also closed to pedestrians.
Bomb Scare In Belfast City Centre 'A Hoax'
A bomb scare beside Belfast City Hall this morning that led to the closure of streets in the city centre has been declared a hoax by police. Army bomb experts were sent to Donegall Square West this morning. Upper Queen Street and Donegall Square West were closed to traffic and pedestrians. Wellington Street was also closed to pedestrians.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
