Pilot project aims to transform Belfast's Linen Quarter

by Gráinne Connolly

A pilot project's underway in Belfast's Linen Quarter to help transform the area and make it more appealing to the public in the long term.

The Better Bedford Street scheme is trialing some physical changes, including widening the footway, introducing public seating and increasing bicycle parking. 

LED street lighting is also being installed in a bid to make the area more attractive for pedestrians. 

A programme of supporting animation activities are also running in the street throughout this week, including live street music at lunchtime, daily walking tours and a series of events from Linenopolis.

The street will also host a live music event on Friday 21 September as part of Belfast’s Culture Night.

This project is the result of a partnership working between central and local government, the business community and a range of other stakeholders.

Councillor Matt Garrett, chair of Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee, said:

“We’ve committed in our Belfast Agenda to help shape a city that is vibrant, attractive, connected and environmentally sustainable; so it’s important that as a city, we look at new and innovative ways of changing how we do things for everyone’s benefit.

“We want our city centre to be open, to create space for people to come together and enjoy time outdoors. Our vision for Belfast is that we are the best we can be for those who live, work, socialise in or visit.”

Ciarán Fox, Director Royal Society of Ulster Architects, one of the main supporters of the Better Bedford Street campaign, said:

“If we are serious about making places more attractive for people we need to put people first and we have to be willing to try new things.

"Over the next two weeks small changes will be taking place in the street which will hopefully make it a more welcoming place for people. I encourage everyone to come down, play a board game, enjoy the music and share your thoughts using #BetterBedfordStreet.

“Thanks to all the architects and landscape architects who have volunteered their time to help make this project happen.

"As a city it is important that we put good design at the heart of our plans for the future as it can deliver long term benefits to the whole community. This project will help inform projects across the city and beyond.” 

The temporary measures are being introduced on a trial basis for around three months, after which time it will be reviewed and ‘lessons learned’ fed back to the strategic group.

In addition to the pilot project for Bedford Street, the pop-up visitor experience ‘Linenopolis’ is at Bedford House until the end of September.

Located opposite the Grand Central Hotel, it’s the first ever experience on the island of Ireland wholly dedicated to linen – providing both an insight to its social, economic and cultural history and a showcase for the best in contemporary linen brands as part of the first Linen Biennale.