Major redevelopment works totalling £6.5 million have commenced on the historic Strand Arts Centre in Belfast.

The restoration work will preserve and enhance Northern Ireland's last remaining Art Deco picture house, in what is its 90th anniversary year, and create a new home for the arts in east Belfast.

Once completed in summer 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.

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The UK Government, Belfast City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund are funding the work, alongside corporate and public sponsorship driven by the Strand team. 

Discussing the project, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said: "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 (Tuesday, January 14).

"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, though outreach programmes and job and training opportunities.

"Finding sustainable uses for our city's built heritage is so important, and other council-led projects, including the nearby Templemore Baths, show what’s possible with vision and commitment. I look forward to catching a movie in the new look Strand when it reopens next year."

UK Government Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, added: "It is fantastic to see work is kick-starting on the Strand Arts Centre refurbishment that will provide a new purpose and access to the arts for the community, while keeping the iconic Art Deco character of this historic picture house.

"I look forward to hearing how the project comes along and continuing to work closely with communities across Northern Ireland in our shared mission to boost growth."