09/01/2004

Jobs fears as Waterfront Hall to trims posts

Eleven posts at Belfast's Waterfront Hall are to be relocated after Belfast City Council today revealed efficiency plans for the venue.

The move is part of plans to increase opportunities for national and international conference planners and concert and event promoters.

The proposals, which will result in a £400,000 annual reduction in operating costs, follow a strategic review of operations at the award winning venue. They will be submitted by the Waterfront Hall Board to the full council for approval in February.

Paul Maskey, Chairman of the Waterfront Hall Board, said: “The Waterfront has now been operating for around seven years. There have been major market changes during that time with the opening of other facilities, including the Odyssey.

“It is prudent to review your business practices in response to such developments and we firmly believe that these proposals will not only consolidate Waterfront Hall’s position in the market place but provide the springboard for even more success in the future.”

Councillor Maskey said that while the proposals would lead to 11 redundancies out of a total workforce of 58, most, if not all staff, would be redeployed within the Council, as it was the council’s policy to avoid compulsory redundancies where possible.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 December 2023
Belfast Waterfront Promenade Proposal Unveiled
A new vision to make Belfast "one of the world's great waterfront cities" has been unveiled by the Belfast Waterfront Task Group. The Belfast Waterfront Promenade proposal provides a framework to ensure that future regeneration of the city's waterfront, one of the largest in Europe, follows an agreed set of design principles.
14 November 2005
Former S Club star to light up Belfast’s festive season
Sparkling Rachel Stevens is inviting everyone to “come and get it” when she lights up Belfast’s Christmas season next week. The chart-topping singer will join the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Wallace Browne, to switch on the city’s Christmas lights next Tuesday evening (November 22).
30 January 2014
Major Extension For Waterfront Hall
Funding has been secured for a proposed extension of Belfast's Waterfront Hall, Belfast City Council has announced. The council will put up £11m of the £29.5m needed for the project, which will include a conference and exhibition centre. The remaining funds will see £14.
21 October 2013
Lottery Draw For Van Morrison Concert
Free tickets for a Van Morrison concert, which is being organised to celebrate the singer being granted the freedom of Belfast, will be drawn from a lottery. The singer is due to be awarded with the honour on Friday 15 November and following the ceremony, he will perform a free concert at the Waterfront Hall in the city.
22 April 2009
Council Helps Local Businesses Defeat Recession
Substantial support is being offered to local businesses in the Belfast area with a special 'Meet the Buyer' event, which is taking place in June. This aim is to give local suppliers much-needed assistance in facing today's tough economic climate.