Business

Thompsons Garage secure planning approval for major expansion of Belfast nightclub

Endless Music set to create new focal point on Upper Arthur Street for popular venue

A digitally rendered visual impression of how Thompsons Garage's new expanded premises will look from Upper Arthur Street.
A digitally rendered visual impression of how Thompsons Garage's new expanded premises will look from Upper Arthur Street. (McCreanor Company Architects)
By Ryan McAleer

The owners of one of Belfast’s best known nightclubs have been given the official green light to carry out a significant expansion of their city centre venue.

Belfast City Council has granted approval to Endless Music Ltd to extend Thompsons Garage into Upper Arthur Street, with a new first floor space complete with terrace and balcony, capable of holding around 120 people.

The hospitality business, owned by Stephen Boyd and Mark McCourt, is also planning to open a new street level kiosk to sell “smoothies, shakes, coffees, hot food and light snacks”.

Their plans will create a new more focal entrance for the Patterson’s Place venue.

The rest of the ground floor area is set to be used to reorganise reorganise the nightclub’s toilet facilities.

A digitally rendered visual impression of the new street level kiosk on Upper Arthur Street.
A digitally rendered visual impression of the new street level kiosk on Upper Arthur Street. (McCreanor Company Architects)

The proposal also details new public art and digital internal window display screens will also be visible on the street.

The nightclub duo launched the development plan after acquiring the former solicitor’s offices at 51-53 Upper Arthur Street.

Industry monitor CIS Ireland estimates the project involves an investment in the region of £500,000.

Endless Music said they expect the expansion will see its workforce grow from 60 to 75 people.

The plans by the well-known nightlife venue comes after it hit the headlines worldwide in January, when Manchester United star Marcus Rashford was pictured enjoying a midweek night out after missing training for the Premier League club.

The former solicitor's offices on Upper Arthur Street, set to be transformed into a new night venue.
The former solicitor's offices on Upper Arthur Street, set to be transformed into a new night venue. (Google)
A digitally rendered visual impression of how Thompsons Garage's new expanded premises will look from Upper Arthur Street.
A digitally rendered visual impression of how Thompsons Garage's new expanded premises will look from Upper Arthur Street. (McCreanor Company Architects)