Belfast city centre has undergone significant change in the past two decades, with major retail shifts.
While some brands have departed, stalwarts like Primark and JD Sports continue to excel, surpassing their counterparts nationwide, says Martina Connolly, the new chief executive of Belfast One.
And where some retailers have literally fallen out of fashion, new tenants of diverse genres have emerged, such as hospitality venues like the Ivy Collection and the Avenue Cinema, the latter now occupying the former Debenhams store.
With a growing residential population more centrally based thanks to Ulster University’s relocation, the city is, today, thriving beyond just retail, says Martina.
She recently assumed leadership at Belfast One, established in 2016 as an independent not-for-profit dedicated to boosting footfall through diverse initiatives, irrespective of the city’s tenancy mix.
“Our mission is to create a vibrant, welcoming, and thriving city centre,” she begins.
“We aim to drive footfall and foster a sense of community in the heart of Belfast.”
Her journey to the role began in the north of the city, where she grew up and studied at Dominican College, Fortwilliam.
She later completed a business studies degree at Ulster University, Jordanstown, and while studying, worked in fashion retail in the very city centre she will now promote and protect.
Her post-grad career includes a role with Coca-Cola, and a post making significant contributions at Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce.
“My experience has given me an understanding of the challenges businesses face and living and working here, I’ve seen the changes and opportunities.
“There are now 15,000 students living on the edge of the BID area, using the city in different ways.
“More cinemas and cafes are opening later, contributing to a new dynamic urban environment.”
Despite the positive changes, she acknowledges there are challenges ahead, most prominently a misconception about safety.
“Footfall was up by 3.4% in June, and we’ve seen an influx of cruise ships bringing tourists to the city and that’s all really positive.
“We’ve come back from the pandemic and we’re welcoming big names in retail and entertainment.
“However, addressing perceived safety concerns remains a challenge.
“Belfast is a safe city, but we need to continue working on complex issues related to safety and inclusivity.”
According to Visit Belfast, the city is among Europe’s safest, with Northern Ireland boasting the continent’s second lowest crime rate.
It underscores her view that safety concerns are more about perception than reality.
Regardless, she plans to tackle these challenges by working alongside the city’s stakeholders, including the PSNI, Belfast City Council, MLAs, and local businesses.
The recent appointment of hospitality veteran Michael Stewart as Night Czar for Belfast, shows that the city’s night-time economy and reputation is a key focus for the organisation, including addressing public transport accessibility after hours.
By day, Martina says, “We are working on several initiatives to make the city more enticing and welcoming.
“These include the Belfast Summer Cinema, scheduled for August 10-11, which is expected to draw over 7,000 people to Belfast City Hall.
“We also have Halloween celebrations, fashion shows, and Restaurant Week — which offers steeply discounted menus — in the autumn, and we will encourage more restaurants to participate to attract even more footfall.”
Other projects include the ‘Grey to Green’ initiative, aimed at creating more green spaces, and the Belfast City Centre gift card, covering 200 retailers and generating over £500,000 in revenue since its inception.
“Our commitment is to make Belfast the best place to work and play in. The city’s compactness and ease of movement, combined with a younger demographic, have changed how the city feels.
“There’s a buzz about the place now.”
She says Belfast One is also prioritising “addressing gaps”, including collaborating with London developer Castlebrooke on the slow-starting Tribeca project in the Royal Avenue-Donegall Street area.
“We have to celebrate the developments too, and there have been many. For example, the Clover Group, behind White’s, Margot, and The Jailhouse, has truly enhanced experiences in the city.
“We also have the relocation of some of our biggest employers including PwC to Merchant Square, bringing more than 2,000 workers into the city.
“And we have new investment in Queen’s Arcade, with top brands brought in like Tudor, Breitling, and Gucci among others.
“Donegall Place is going through a revival too. We have interest in vacant units there, the Ivy restaurant is coming later in the year, there will be some relocations to there.
“Change is happening, and it’s all for the good. There are new pockets and more movement,” she says.
