North Street: Belfast pub fears further desertion on city centre street with removal of parking spaces

The manager of a Belfast city centre pub says the street it is located on could face further desertion due to the removal of car parking spaces in the area.

The Department for Infrastructure say new temporary bus lanes have been introduced in parts of the city centre due to public realm improvement works being carried out as part of the work to open the new Belfast Grand Central Station.

As part of the works, car parking spaces have been removed from North Street in the city centre, much of which has fallen into dereliction in recent years as the controversial Tribeca project has stalled.

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David Neely, Operations Manager at The Deer’s Head which is located in the area, told Belfast Live the removal of parking spaces is the latest blow to hit an area of the town which is suffering. He said many visitors to the venue will be put off from coming as buses from the city centre stop at 11pm.

“The night time economy, which, as we all know, is a major topic of concern for the wider hospitality industry would be helped, if we had a later bus service and the number of taxis returning to pre-covid levels,” David said.

“That’s not happening for the foreseeable, and until it does driving and parking close to our venue is very important to us. Many of our live shows go on after 11pm so safe car parking close to our venue is very important. We are also saddened with the loss of the disabled spaces next to our venue.

“On an evening, if you stand at the bottom of North Street at the Waring Street & Bridge Street Junction, with this new bus lane, you will now be looking up an empty, deserted and badly lit street. Not an inviting street for visitors to our city.

“We are all for a better transport system. More buses and later buses will bring life to the city. Lower North Street is well serviced by Translink, but losing the parking spaces will result in less footfall in the evening time, in an already depressed area.”

The publican added that the decision to remove the parking spaces was typical of recent actions which have neglected the area.

“We have been frustrated with the lack of investment in the surrounding area for the last number of years,” he said.

“The inactivity of the proposed Tribeca development has resulted in more of our neighbours in the lower end of North Street permanently close their doors, which has the knock-on effect that the area has fallen deeper into disrepair.”

The Department for Infrastructure says the bus lane on North Street will operate from 7am to 7pm, from Bridge Street to Royal Avenue and encouraged people visiting the city centre to avail of public transport.

“These measures will reduce congestion by providing a viable alternative to the car,” a DfI spokesperson said.

“The Department would recommend that anyone coming into Belfast city centre over the coming months uses active travel or public transport networks where possible, for a faster journey.

“These lanes will ensure that emergency services can continue to access and move through the City Centre. They also play a vital role in creating a modern and effective transport network and contribute to a reduction in congestion and environmental pollution.

“The lanes will be available to buses, motorcycles, bicycles and permitted taxis during the periods of operation and to all vehicles at other times. Lanes will be clearly marked with white lines and the associated signs. And any accessible parking spaces that are affected will be relocated.”

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