We're keen to help visitors get around the city centre as easily as possible in the aftermath of the fire at Bank Buildings. Just follow the yellow dot trail.
We've created a downloadable map which shows the pedestrian route around the black zone, including streets and areas that are accessible. The black zone marked on the map is currently closed to pedestrians and vehicles.
The cordon around the affected area is expected to stay in place for about four months after the incident.
A temporary walkway reconnecting Royal Avenue to Donegall Place is open.
The following businesses around the Castle Place junction are also open:
- McDonald’s
- Skechers
- Argento (Argento also remains open in Cornmarket)
- DV8
- Spar (reduced opening hours).
The new Primark store, at Commonwealth House on Castle Street, and the new Guineys store at Castle Place are now open.
City Picnic (extra market stalls in Donegall Place) and Abacus Beads (Queen's Arcade) will continue to trade from their temporary premises.
The Cookie Box at Castle Place will open from Saturday 15 December.
The British Heart Foundation is set to open a pop-up shop in 23 Fountain Street on Thursday 20 December. They are appealing for new donations of stock to fill the shop.
You can drop items into the new Fountain Street Belfast shop from Friday 14 December, which can include:
- unwanted clothes
- accessories
- shoes
- handbags
- books and DVDs
- household goods
- bric-a-brac
- toys
- records.
You can also drop your donations into the BHF Bow St Lisburn shop or contact them on 028 9267 0793 to arrange a free collection from your home at a time convenient to you.
Zara and Tesco Metro remain closed while works continue to secure Bank Buildings.
Look out for new signage and maps across the city centre, showing which businesses have reopened and highlighting those near the remaining cordon areas.
This information is correct as of Wednesday 12 December, 2.53pm.
Find your way
Here's a map to help you get around.
Shops and businesses in the Bank Buildings area
The following shops and businesses are in and around the Bank Buildings site and they are open.
Please note that this list only includes businesses in close proximity to the site. Other shops and businesses are open beyond these areas.
Castle Street
|
Royal Avenue
|
Donegall Place
|
| Hercules Bar |
Santander |
JD Sports |
| The Money Shop |
Ulster Reform Club |
The Body Shop |
| Hair Apartment |
H&M |
GAP |
| Gordons |
HSBC |
Chopstix |
| Belfast Cookery School |
Obento |
Beaverbrooks |
| La Taqueria |
Argento
|
Clarks |
| Mace Express |
Phone Boutique |
Disney Store |
| Café West |
Diamond House |
KFC |
| Primark |
Spar |
|
| Fruiterama |
Castle Place
|
McDonald's |
| Conway Opticians |
Carrolls Irish Gifts
|
Skechers |
| Pizza Boutique |
Barclays
|
Abacus Beads
*Temporarily moved to Queen's Arcade from Castle Street |
| |
DV8 |
City Picnic
* Temporarily relocated from Castle Street |
Oxfam
|
GAME
|
Fountain Street
|
| Sink the Ink tattoos |
HMV |
Pic & Mix
|
| Executive Barbers |
TK Maxx |
White Dragon Tattoo |
| Maggie Mays |
Sports Direct |
Voodoo |
| Shop Mobility |
Costa Coffee |
Jumon |
| Timescape |
Phoneworks |
Fountain Tavern |
| IPhix |
Guineys |
Bank Square
|
| Premier Meats |
|
Kelly's Cellars
|
|
|
Mourne Seafood Bar |
| |
|
Havana Bank Square |
| |
|
Manny's Fish & Chips |
| |
|
Northern Vape |
| |
|
The Holy Shop |
| |
|
The Sagart |
These businesses are currently closed.
Read the information messages and contact details from all the affected businesses.
| Business name |
Abacus Beads
*Temporarily moved to Queen's Arcade |
Cookie Box |
| Aldo |
|
British Heart Foundation
|
|
City Picnic
*Temporarily relocated to Donegall Place |
Tesco Metro |
| Coffee Kiosk |
Zara |
If you are a business in Belfast city centre, please visit our Bank Buildings page for information on:
Getting around the city
City centre entertainment programme
Street animation will take place over the festive season in the city centre. This will include city centre attractions, tours, live music and street theatre.
Road closures
Due to the road and path closures around Castle Place and Royal Avenue, your travel may be disrupted. The yellow dot trail map shows you the streets that are accessible near the Bank Buildings site.
Translink travel updates
Translink has launched a Festive Fare campaign with a range of special offers. These include day travel across the city for just £2 (£1 child), a £5 family ticket and additional bus, coach and train services including midnight departures.
Translink Metro services have been disrupted due to the road closures around Castle Place and Royal Avenue.
Ulsterbus services operating to and from Belfast will also be subject to delays and possible disruption. Diverted services will be updated by Translink.
Shuttle bus
Translink has set up a free Belfast city centre shuttle service. It connects St Georges Market, City Hall and Royal Avenue with a new stop in North Street.
The service operates every 10 minutes on Monday to Saturday and every 20 minutes on Sundays.
Rail travel
Get the train into either of Belfast's main train stations - Great Victoria Street or Lanyon Place Station.
Car parking
If you are travelling to Belfast by car, you can find out where our car parks are located.
Special offers
Many shops, eateries and other businesses are offering special deals to entice people into the city. Show your support for #YourBelfast and enjoy everything the city centre has to offer.