Thanks to a detailed prescription of colours and finishes from paint manufacturer Johnstone's and a stunning interior restoration programme, Belfast City Hall has been given a new lease of life.

Joining forces with family-run painting and decorating contractors, Corlin Painting & Decorating, Johnstone's was tasked with giving the magnificent building a paint specification befitting of its £11million refurbishment.

During an extensive period of detailed planning and preparation, Johnstone's experienced colour consultants helped to carefully match and recreate existing colour schemes.

In addition the Johnstone's Technical Specification Team was on hand to advise and produce a bespoke specification to cover the many diverse surfaces requiring decoration. This involved numerous visits to site and meetings with both decorating and main contractors and project architects to ensure that the painting programme progressed smoothly throughout. Areas that benefitted from this were the main rotunda, main council chambers, banqueting hall, staircases and access corridors.

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As the stunning centrepiece to the building and standing over 185 feet high, the main rotunda presents itself as a grand umbrella to the interior. Access to this impressive feature could only be gained by scaffolding and much of the painting was carried out using brushes due to the intricacy of the panels and mouldings. Prior to any painting commencing, all surfaces were thoroughly prepared and washed down with Mangers Sugar Soap, following which Johnstone's Ultra Primer Sealer from the Performance Coatings range, was applied to surfaces where required.

Over 500 litres of Acrylic Durable Matt from the Advanced Technology range was used with its water based formulation meaning that it is fast drying and low in odour, ensuring there was minimal disruption.

With its robust finish providing outstanding durability and a stain resistant surface that that can be repeatedly cleaned, Johnstone's Acrylic Durable Matt was an outstanding match for the breathtaking civic building. Further to this, 575 litres of Acrylic Eggshell provided a durable mid-sheen finish to interior surfaces.

Decorative wood throughout the building also received a makeover in the form of 225 litres of stain and varnish from Johnstone's Woodworks range, which worked to enhance the wood's natural beauty.

Clare Winter, Specification Market Manager, said: "For such a large scale project to be carried out on a building steeped in history and with such intricate details was an exceptional accomplishment by the Co Tyrone-based Corlin and their team on site. Johnstone's products played an integral role in ensuring an exceptional finish that would do justice to the magnificent building.

"This was achieved by specifying quality, hardwearing and durable interior and exterior finishes. Combining this with unrivalled support from Johnstone's Technical Advisory Department who provided outstanding technical support and colour specification advice, this is a project that everyone involved with can feel very proud of."

(GK/BMcC)