£1.69m package agreed to boost Belfast footfall

Belfast city centre has been badly hit by the impact of a major fire at Primark in Bank Buildings. Credit: PA

A major investment package aims to help Belfast city centre get back on its feet, with a host of attractions, improvements and a possible extension to the Christmas Market.

Belfast City Council has agreed a £1.69m funding boost to bring in attractions like a ferris wheel, ski slope, amusements and family zones.

Improvements will also be made to the city centre’s open spaces, with better outdoor seating and tables, street lighting and art to improve the landscape.

It comes after the major fire at Bank Buildings, which housed Primark - the impact of which has been widely felt by traders, with many reporting that footfall is down.

A programme of planned events with include Halloween tours and the Monster Mash, the Red Bull F1 Showdown and Eddie Irvine Racing, a mini Mela, a mini Festival of Fools, and a Victorian fair.

According to the council, the popular Christmas Market at City Hall could be extended, subject to interest from traders.

Efforts are still being made to further reduce the Primark cordon, in a bid to restore pedestrian access between Donegall Place and Royal Avenue as soon as possible.

Alderman Jim Rodgers, chair of the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: “We know that businesses around the cordon are really suffering from a drop in footfall.

“This programme of activity will enhance what Belfast has to offer and help to bring people into the city centre, particularly in the run up to Christmas.

“We want to see Belfast bustling with shoppers and families and having these major attractions will help to bring people into the areas which have been most impacted by the fire at Bank Buildings.”