What is it?
We are redeveloping a 5,000m² site at the top of Royal Avenue, incorporating the historic and much-loved former Bank of Ireland building.
We are working with experienced partners both locally and internationally to create a building and surrounding spaces that people want to visit, relax in and talk about.
Belfast Stories is part of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD).
We aim to open Belfast Stories by 2030....
Belfast Stories is not just a building, it’s an idea.
We have started to map existing stories and record other stories from across the city through writing, audio recording, filming and music.
We are designing new ways for people to record and share stories, creating an archive that will live both inside and outside the building.
You can keep up to date with how we’re getting on through our social media channels.
Visitor attraction
Belfast Stories is a visitor attraction which clearly communicates the spirit of the city – its past, its present and its future.
Do we really need another big tourist attraction?
Yes we do! There were 1.7m overnight trips to Belfast in 2023 but to grow this the city needs to develop the depth and range of its visitor attractions.
Belfast Stories is a unique way to help visitors get their bearings and tell them about the real heart and history of the city.
The interactive exhibitions will be visually and creatively stunning, making Belfast Stories distinctive and memorable for visitors.
Belfast Stories will tell the story of Belfast and its people in a uniquely inspiring way, boosting tourism and growing the city’s international reputation.
This is an opportunity to offer visitors a cultural experience unlike any other, using contemporary storytelling to express the city’s personality in a way that helps people understand and respond to its history and its people.
Public space
Belfast Stories is a public space where people can gather, to share their diverse cultures and ideas.
Proposals include different types of open space in the heart of the city centre for people to relax and enjoy. At various times these spaces will be brought alive by programming that will celebrate film, music, art, dance, food, drink; and well, just being alive.
Don’t we have loads of places for that already?
Well, yes, we have some, but nothing that is centred on the stories of Belfast’s people, as well as the mavericks, misfits, legends, local heroes and moments in time that may otherwise be forgotten.
Also, the Belfast Region City Deal has given us the chance to create something truly unique and of lasting significance in terms of its spirit, architecture and cultural and economic impact.
So why wouldn’t we?
Belfast Stories will bring people together in unique and inspirational ways that reflect the diversity of cultures and communities within the city.
We are working with a range of cultural and community groups to explore how best to programme and produce events that reflect the full diversity of identities and ideas in the city and how they can be explored and celebrated through filmmaking, art, music and other creative industries.
Creative hub
Belfast Stories is a creative hub where writers, musicians, artists and film makers can meet and work creating new stories that Belfast can bring to a global audience.
What’s the big deal about the creative industries?
The creative industries contribute over £1.3 billion a year to Northern Ireland’s economy and are a fast-growing part of our cultural and business worlds.
Belfast is gaining a reputation for being a world-class production centre for film, TV, games, art, music and writing.
It is attracting practitioners in these disciplines from all over the world who recognise that Belfast has a hugely creative energy, a distinctive independent attitude and is a fantastic place to live, work and spend time in.
We need to keep investing in that idea.
Belfast Stories will provide access to storytelling and content creation, growing the creative economy.
We will design activities, events, and programmes of learning and provide new opportunities to engage with emerging technology and support our next generation of creatives.
We will also offer facilities for showcasing, networking, and business development.
Belfast Stories public consultation
Belfast Stories Public Consultation - 19 November 2024 to 23 February 2025
We are carrying out a public consultation for 14 weeks from Tuesday 19 November 2024 until Sunday 23 February 2025.
Complete the Belfast Stories consultation on YourSay (link opens in new window)
Consultation documents
Belfast Stories Public Consultation HTML document