Belfast: Council completes buy of historic Assembly Rooms

Councillor Natasha Brennan, chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, mentioned the Assembly Rooms is one among Belfast’s most historic property.

“So this is both a significant and a symbolic purchase,” she mentioned.

“Belfast’s success depends on a successful city core – that’s why we’re focusing a range of initiatives to make our city centre the best it can be.”

The Assembly Rooms was the location of the well-known Belfast Harp Festival in 1792, which led to the preservation of the traditional custom of Irish harping.

It was additionally the place plans to ascertain a slave buying and selling firm had been rejected in 1786 and the place Henry Joy McCracken was sentenced to dying in 1798.

In spite of the constructing’s historic and cultural significance, it had fallen out of use prior to now 20 years and positioned on an inventory of worldwide ‘in danger’ heritage websites earlier this 12 months by the World Monuments Fund.

Potential future makes use of for the constructing are at present being explored.

The council has additionally agreed a plan to enhance the Cathedral and northeast quarter of the town.

It focuses on defending the realm’s historical past whereas including new properties and companies round a inventive hub.

A public session is to be held this autumn.