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Date: 9 May 2025
Category: City centre
It wasn’t just plants and flowers that flourished at The BUG (Belfast’s Urban Garden) during its first year, but friendships and community connections too.
That’s what Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Andrew McCormick remarked on at a celebration of The BUG’s first year on the Belfast Stories site, Kent Street today, Friday May 9.
Over 20 groups and over 2,300 people have been involved in onsite activities during the twelve months of the successful demonstrator project.
The BUG is one of several ‘Grey to Green’ city centre projects funded under the Department for Infrastructure’s £400,000 Blue~Green capital grant programme, administered by Belfast City Council, with The BUG also receiving funding and support from the Public Health Agency (PHA).
Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Andrew McCormick said: “There’s been such a rich harvest from The BUG – Belfast’s Urban Garden – over the past year, not only in terms of the fresh produce it has grown, but also the fantastic, free opportunity it’s provided for people to connect with nature and community right in the heart of Belfast city centre.
“I’d like to congratulate our partners The Conservation Volunteers NI for engaging with such a diverse range of people during this demonstrator project, including those facing mental health challenges, schools, and local communities. Together, they’ve made The BUG a truly welcoming, shared space for all to enjoy.
“In line with our Bolder Vision, The BUG is all about helping to enhance biodiversity, combat pollution, and improve the city centre’s appeal and liveability. We’ve also been delighted to hear about the positive mental health and wellbeing impacts experienced by those who’ve enjoyed the horticulture and conservation workshops.
“The BUG has amply demonstrated how urban gardening with proactive community engagement can create a sense of community ownership, whilst sustainably greening a city centre site. And we’ll carry that learning forward as we start to prepare this site for Belfast Stories. When it opens in 2030, it will be a gathering place for everyone; a visitor attraction where we can clearly communicate the spirit of the city, its past, its present and its future; and a creative hub where writers, musicians, artists and film makers will collaborate, developing stories to sustain us – made possible with investment from the Belfast Region City Deal.”
Sharon Crainey, Operations Leader, The Conservation Volunteers NI, said: “It’s been a joy to see The BUG flourish – thanks to over 20 groups we’ve engaged with, our weekly gardeners and volunteers – and we’re really looking forward to seeing what’s next on our growing journey as we seek a new partner and location for the garden’s next phase.”
David Tumilty, Senior Health Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “The programmes that the PHA funds through The Conservation Volunteers connect with communities at greatest risk of health inequalities. Engaging people in activities that help improve physical and mental wellbeing is so important. We have seen the benefits of people coming together at the BUG, helping to address issues of social isolation, developing community bonds through this connection, and people getting more active by being in the gardens, which have had such a positive impact throughout the past year.”
For more information on ‘Grey to Green’ projects supported by the Council, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/greytogreen.