Belfast City Council has launched the next phase of public consultation for Belfast Stories, inviting residents and stakeholders to have their say on the city’s future landmark destination from 13 November 2025.

The £100 million project is set to open by 2030 at the Art Deco former Bank of Ireland building and the surrounding 5,000 square metre site at the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street. Designed as a public space, visitor attraction, and creative hub, Belfast Stories is expected to attract more than 700,000 visitors annually and support up to 760 jobs during the construction and launch phases.

Running until February 2026, this consultation builds on feedback from a previous public consultation held between November 2024 and February 2025, which helped shape concept designs and visitor experience plans. Updated proposals and designs will be shared for public comment ahead of a planning application due in April 2026.

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Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said: "This next phase of consultation marks another important milestone for Belfast Stories and I would encourage everyone to attend one of the local community events to meet the project team or to see the latest concept designs displayed in 2 Royal Avenue throughout the consultation period. Belfast Stories is the flagship tourism and regeneration project in the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment, and has the genuine potential to bring people together, boost tourism, enhance the city’s international reputation and grow the local creative economy."

Belfast Stories will play a key role in delivering inclusive economic growth, supporting regeneration across the city, and contributing to a balanced spread of benefits throughout Northern Ireland. Members of the public will be able to view updated designs, see how feedback has influenced the project, and contribute further as the project progresses through RIBA Stage 3, known as Spatial Coordination, where architectural, structural, and services plans are developed.

The design team for the project includes a partnership between Oslo-based architects Snøhetta and Belfast-based TODD Architects, who are leading on architectural and structural design.

Public events, exhibitions, and workshops will be hosted throughout the consultation period. For more information and to take part, visit yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfast-stories.