Purple Flag Places -
BELFAST

The area comprises of Cathedral Quarter and Victoria Square and is characterised by its more intimate, architectural variety representing stages in the city's history, creative and cultural activity and potential for a pedestrian and cycle-friendly public realm. Against the backdrop of some of the city’s oldest places, newest wide streets, its narrow cobbled streets, laneways and squares invite conversation, exchange of news and chance encounters.

As shared space in the city centre The Cathedral Quarter is home to community and community arts organisations which work across the city and to engage people in the life of the city. Organisations such as Belfast Circus School, the Community Arts Forum, New Belfast Community Arts Initiative, Northern Visions, Belfast Print Workshop, Opportunity Youth and others host numerous public events and activities which are free of charge and open to all, as well as opportunities for life-long learning, and skills development.

Across from Cathedral Square, Victoria Square runs world class events, host art exhibitions and offer ambient entertainment to all who walk through Victoria Square in the evenings based on a piece of commissioned market research that detailed the wants of our shoppers and to encourage diverse groups of people through the area.

The Assessors and Panel were impressed by specific polices and actions including:

• Clear police presence without being over-whelming and quick to respond if needed.
• A positive level of local entrepreneurship in terms of music, entertainment and food venues. The Belfast offer is on par with Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Temple Bar in Dublin or the Bastille in Paris.
• A commendable balance of chain bars, restaurants and pubs coupled with local independent operators.
• High regard and every credit for Circus School for the work it does with local community, peace work and the commendable contribution to the cultural diversity of the Purple Flag area.

Centre Contact
Tom Smith
City Safe Officer
Belfast City Centre Management
T: 02890 242111
E: t.smith@belfastcentre.com

Information Files:

Belfast Case Study
Filesize: 277 Kb