Major Refurbishment For Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Hall is set to temporarily close for up to two years from early November 2007 to enable major refurbishment work can be undertaken.

Renovations will include replacing heating, mechanical and electrical systems, re-roofing the building and installing computer network systems, with the building due to re-open in late 2009.

Services currently located in City Hall are moving to a new building, Adelaide Exchange, at 24-26 Adelaide Street. Councillors will also be relocated to this building, where all meetings of council will take place during the refurbishment period.

A ceremony room for weddings and civil partnerships is also located on the ground floor of the new building. The Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor, High Sheriff and their staff, will temporary move to offices at Clarendon Dock.

Councillor Diane Dodds, chairman of the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "Last year, Belfast City Hall celebrated its centenary and the essential maintenance work due to be carried out now will ensure that our building is fit for purpose for the next 100 years.

"As we move out of the building we would hope that there will be minimal disruption to services, however we would ask for your patience during this time and trust that residents will not be inconvenienced."

Although the City Hall building will close, it is planned that the grounds will stay open for visitors and events, including the annual Remembrance Day commemoration and the popular Christmas activities and Continental Market.

The council’s telephone numbers are staying the same.

The main switchboard telephone number is 028 9032 0202. The number for Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships is 028 9027 0274. The Cemeteries Office number is 028 9027 0296.

Further information on the temporary closure and the new offices can be found at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/cityhall. Alternatively, telephone 028 9027 0477 or use the textphone number, 028 9027 0405.

(JM)