3. Picking up where we left off
Engagement is an ongoing, ever-evolving aspect of the Belfast Stories programme.
We want everyone to have an opportunity to shape Belfast Stories.
We will keep engaging throughout each stage of the development process up to the opening of Belfast Stories in 2030 and beyond.
Our conversations will cover many aspects of the project including design, story development and how we propose to operate and manage the building. We capture what we hear and continue to use it to inform the decisions we make.
We’ve already carried out two public consultations on the project, with a third due to take place as part of the planning process from November 2025 to February 2026.
Belfast Stories first public consultation took place between August and November 2022. We asked the public and stakeholders what they thought about our early plans before any design work started.
By 2024, we had appointed our design teams and wanted to hear views on early concept designs.
A second public consultation took place from November 2024 to March 2025.
The feedback from these consultations and how we have responded to what we’ve heard are available on our online consultation hub (link opens in new window)
What people said
- 84% of local people would visit
- 58.5% Definitely or probably share their story
- 82%of people asked were likely to recommend Belfast Stories to a friend visiting Belfast.
- 74% of international consumers tested would consider visiting
- 83% of international consumers tested felt Belfast Stories was exciting
This is our third public consultation on the Belfast Stories project and is a legal requirement as part of the planning process. We anticipate submitting our planning application in April 2026.
Activities include:
- Site visits
- Information sessions
- Workshops
- Drop-in clinics
- Online webinars
- Survey
