Restoration work has begun on Northern Ireland’s last remaining Art Deco picture house – Strand Arts Centre. The £6.5 million redevelopment will preserve and enhance the cherished east Belfast cinema, which dates back to 1935.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said he is ‘looking forward to catching a movie’ in the new look Strand when it reopens next year.
“It is so positive to kick off 2025 with work to restore one of Belfast’s most striking and beloved buildings, coinciding with Heritage Treasures Day today,” he said.
“Council is pleased to have helped Strand Arts Centre secure the funding needed to preserve this treasured asset for future generations and to deliver this project which will boost both our arts sector and the local community, through outreach programmes and job and training opportunities.”
Once completed in the summer of 2026, the revamped venue will include state-of-the-art cinema facilities, a licensed café, creative learning studios and new performance spaces within the current balcony screen and front stall areas. There will also be an interactive exhibition where guests can experience the cinema as it was in pre-war Belfast and learn about the Strand’s unique place amongst the city’s other iconic picture houses. Original architectural features, including the famous façade, entrance and foyer, will all be retained, along with improvements to disability access to cater for a diverse range of audiences and multi-purpose spaces available for community and charity hire.
Mimi Turtle, Chief Executive of Strand Arts Centre, said: “The Strand has always been a treasure for east Belfast—a symbol of community, creativity and shared memories, spanning 89 years. This refurbishment ensures that its legacy endures, blending rich heritage with a bright future that celebrates the arts for generations to come.”
The work is funded by the UK Government, Belfast City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside corporate and public sponsorship driven by the Strand team.
Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations and this treasured 90-year-old Art Deco building is integral to east Belfast’s social history. “We’re grateful to National Lottery players who are contributing to its revitalisation as an accessible and sustainable venue – a place to gather, be entertained, learn about our local cinema heritage and connect with the Strand stories.”
