Pay
Report
Apply
Date: 13 November 2025
Category: Belfast Stories
Public invited to have their say on proposals for Belfast’s new landmark destination.
Belfast City Council will launch the next phase of consultation on Belfast Stories from 13 November 2025, inviting residents and stakeholders to continue to shape its future.
The project, described as a public space, visitor attraction and creative hub, is expected to open by 2030 at the Art Deco former Bank of Ireland building and the surrounding 5,000 square metre site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street.
The multi-purpose destination will aim to attract more than 700,000 visitors per year, with up to 760 jobs supported during the construction and launch phases.
Running until February 2026, this latest consultation builds on feedback from the previous Public Consultation which ran between November 2024 and February 2025 and informed the concept designs and visitor experience plans for the £100 million project. As part of the latest consultation process, updated proposals and designs will be shared for public comment in advance of a planning application being submitted in 2026.
Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said:“This next phase of consultation marks another important milestone for Belfast Stories and I would encourage everyone to attend one of the local community events to meet the project team or to see the latest concept designs displayed in 2 Royal Avenue throughout the consultation period. Belfast Stories is the flagship tourism and regeneration project in the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment, and has the genuine potential to bring people together, boost tourism, enhance the city’s international reputation and grow the local creative economy.”
Belfast Stories will play a pivotal role in delivering inclusive economic growth, supporting regeneration in Belfast and contributing to a balanced spread of benefits across the city, region, and Northern Ireland.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to view updated concept designs, explore how feedback has influenced the project so far, and contribute further as the design progresses through Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Stage 3. This stage is known as Spatial Coordination, where the feedback on the design concept in Phase 2 is developed into a coordinated architectural, structural, and services plan. The planning application is also due to be submitted during this stage in April 2026.
The Belfast Stories project team will be hosting a series of public events, exhibitions and workshops throughout the consultation period, details of which are published online at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfaststories
Eimear Henry, Creative and Strategic Lead for Belfast Stories, added: “This is a pivotal moment for Belfast Stories as it takes shape and form. The vision is for the destination to become a landmark within Belfast's built environment and to have a positive impact for many generations and that’s why this consultation is important. It’s a chance for everyone to help shape the look and feel of Belfast Stories before a planning application is submitted.”
The design team supporting Belfast Stories includes a partnership between Oslo-based architects Snøhetta and Belfast-based TODD Architects, who are leading on the architectural and structural design.
For more information and to take part in the consultation from 13 November 2025 – 5 February 2026, visit yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfast-stories
Follow Belfast Stories on Instagram @belfast_stories
Contact the Belfast Stories team at [email protected] or on 028 9032 0202. Find out more at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfaststories