Good data is boost for Belfast city centre after months of worry

Press Association this week reported that footfall for the week beginning December 10 was 19% up on the 2017 figure.

The data, if representative, is a huge boost for the heart of Northern Ireland’s capital city. The fire at the historic Bank Buildings in August led to massive disruption, with the main thoroughfare in Belfast closed fully to traffic and, for several months, closed to people on foot too.

Getting from Royal Avenue to Donegall Place was tedious and involved long diversions. Meanwhile, the loss of Primark meant that many people were not coming into Belfast at all. Now, however, there is a covered walkway linking those two key stretches of road, which protects pedestrians if the damaged facade at Bank Buildings falls.

There is a slide for children, stalls, a food bar and a stage on the closed sections of road. It has the feel of an extension to the Christmas Market, and adds to the festive spirit.

Meanwhile, the extension to Primark has opened to bustling trade, and the business has resolved to a full return to the city centre in the future.

For a while it seemed like the blaze might be a hammer blow to the long-term future of central Belfast. Now, thank goodness, it seems that the public is as wedded as ever to the idea of coming into our attractive city centre to spend money and leisure time.