Business

Visitor centre aims to drive tourists to east Belfast

Martin Graham from Tourism NI, Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Brian Kingston, and Maurice Kinkead, chief executive of EastSide Partnership at the new visitor centre
Martin Graham from Tourism NI, Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Brian Kingston, and Maurice Kinkead, chief executive of EastSide Partnership at the new visitor centre Martin Graham from Tourism NI, Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Brian Kingston, and Maurice Kinkead, chief executive of EastSide Partnership at the new visitor centre

NEW tourism hub EastSide Visitor Centre will open its doors tomorrow in east Belfast.

The facility, developed by Landmark East is adjacent to both Connswater Community and Comber Greenways, a series of pathways which connect to green and open spaces throughout the EastSide and to the city centre.

The centre includes a coffee bar named after the area’s most famous author, CS Lewis, who was affectionately known as Jack to his close friends and family.

JACK Coffee Bar will be operated by award-winning Belfast entrepreneur Linzi Rooney, the innovator of creative design hub and café - Studio Souk, located in Belfast city centre.

Officially opening the new centre, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Brian Kingston, said: “This is the latest in a number of positive improvements to the infrastructure in east Belfast, building upon the great work delivered through the Connswater Community Greenway project, for which the council has been at the forefront.

"As one of the biggest recipients of our Local Investment Fund, with an award of £250,000, this visitor centre has the potential to make a real and lasting difference to this part of our city, offering a ‘one stop shop’ from which visitors can then explore the rich environment and heritage of east Belfast.”

Supporting the opening of EastSide Visitor Centre John McGrillen, chief executive Tourism NI added: "Tourism Northern Ireland in conjunction with the ERDF Sustainable Competitiveness Programme has been closely involved with the EastSide Visitor Centre project and I am delighted that we were able to contribute funding support to this important tourism facility.

"The centre presents a unique offering to visitors, the interactive orientation hub located in the heart of East Belfast will tell the stories of the East side’s famous faces, places and industries, further enhancing the local tourism product.

"As part of the engaging brand and destination strategy for East Belfast the centre will also play a key role in providing advice and guidance to local tourism providers to help capitalise on additional visitor footfall. The East Belfast visitor offering will further increase as the Connswater Greenway and CS Lewis Square developments take shape.”

Maurice Kinkead, Chief Executive of EastSide Partnership, added: “The opening of the EastSide Visitor Centre represents the commitment, hard work and dedication of a cross section of organisations and partnerships working together to help make east Belfast a better place.

"We gratefully acknowledge and thank all our key funders for it is due to their support that Landmark East has been able to deliver the vision for the centre. We are working very hard to ensure that east Belfast is a must visit destination on the tourism trail which will have huge benefits to everyone living and working in the EastSide.”