An unprecedented opportunity is being offered to the public to shape the future image of Belfast at home and abroad.

International brand consultants, Lloyd Northover, who have been tasked with creating a new brand for the city by Belfast City Council, have set up an online questionnaire online to assist in its development.

Hundreds of interviews have already been undertaken to assess the opinions of people from across the business, development, hospitality and tourism industry as well as key members of the media.

Councillor Michael Browne, chairman of the City Council’s development committee said: "This is a really exciting time for Belfast as it is rapidly changing for the better and it needs a new image, a new brand to reflect this new era.

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"We want to hear what Belfast means to people who live and work here, to people who have visited the city for pleasure or business and even to those who have not yet been to Belfast but are interested in the city. All these views will play a key role in developing a new image and brand of which we can all have ownership.

"I would urge as many people as possible to log on the online survey and give us their views before the 8th November. It will just take 10 minutes of your time to help shape the image of Belfast for years to come," added councillor Browne.

Councillor Diane Dodds from Belfast City Council's strategic policy and resources committee said: "There is major investment in Belfast currently and our tourist figures are at an all time high but we need to build on that success and establish Belfast for the long term as a world class location to live, work, invest and visit.

"We want to develop a brand that can be used widely and help us to develop a 'one city' approach to marketing Belfast. The success of this exercise will have far-reaching results for inward investment and tourism throughout Northern Ireland so everyone here will benefit and therefore everyone should have the opportunity to comment."

To have your say on a new brand for Belfast, simply log onto www.yourviewsonbelfast.com before the deadline of 8 November 2007.

(JM)