The £475,000 fund will help independent businesses outside the city centre.
Ballyhackamore, in East Belfast, will benefit from a new local business fund. The Supporting Vibrant Business Destinations fund aims to support businesses outside the city centre.
Among other things, the money from the fund will go towards a new events space in the area. Locals hope this will boost the local economy by increasing footfall and sales in the area.
Supporting Vibrant Business Destinations fund – support for businesses outside the city centre
Belfast City Council launched the Supporting Vibrant Business Destinations programme this year to support and promote suburban businesses that cannot rely on the high-street footfall that a city centre location provides.
Its central goal is to strengthen the competitiveness of existing businesses and foster an environment in which new businesses can thrive.
Belfast City Council will work with local traders associations to address local concerns and enhance each area’s profile. The council also aims to help deliver marketing programmes to attract customers.
Chair of the council’s City Growth and Regeneration committee, Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, said, “Retailers, particularly those who are not in our city centre, have been hit hard by the pandemic and a much more challenging economic landscape recently”.
Nic Bhranair also underscored the council’s commitment to “growing a diverse and inclusive economy” that supports “start-ups, independent retailers, social enterprises, and cultural and voluntary organisations”.
Other locations set to benefit from the fund include other eastern areas Cregagh, Woodstock, King’s Square, and Cherryvalley. While Cavehill, Cliftonville, and Oldpark will benefit in North Belfast.
Plans for Ballyhackamore – an outdoor events space
Ballyhackamore is the first area to benefit from the fund, and the Ballyhackamore Traders Association (BTA) outlined its plans for the money.
Doreen McKenzie from BTA revealed that part of the money would go towards a marketing campaign. The campaign will include the development of sustainable promotional goods.
McKenzie wants “to raise Ballyhackamore’s profile as a fantastic place to eat, shop, and live” and hopes that this will in turn “support our local businesses’ growth and development”.
The money will also fund the building of a covered outdoor events and market space and the relaunch of a once-popular local food tour.
East Belfast – an increasingly popular spot
East Belfast has enjoyed something of a resurgence in recent years, with the likes of Banana Block and the now-moved Vault Artist Studios making it a cultural hub.
Central to the east’s increasing popularity is Ballyhackamore. The Times labelled this area of the Upper Newtownards Road “the brunch capital of Belfast”. But Ballyhackamore offers so much more than mimosas and avocado toast.
Some of the best restaurants in Belfast are found in Ballyhackamore, as well as some off-the-beaten-path pubs. Hearth was recently named the best bar in Northern Ireland at the UK National Pub and Bar Awards.
