Menu
14/08/2009
Café To Boost Refurbished City Hall
The multi-million pound Belfast City Hall refurbishment is to have an entirely new facility when it re-opens - a new coffee shop.
Recalling Belfast's spinning and weaving heritage, the new coffee shop will be called The Bobbin and will be open to customers when the City Hall itself re-opens at the beginning of October.
More than 1,400 people voted in an online poll to name the facility with The Bobbin topping the poll with almost half the votes cast via the Belfast City Council website.
White Linen proved the second most popular choice, with almost 460 votes, followed by The Foundry and then The Blackstaff.
The new name was inspired by the city's history as a centre of the linen industry, which was the first in Belfast to become mechanised during the industrial revolution in the 1820s.
The bobbin - a spindle or cylinder, with or without flanges, on which yarn or thread is wound - was a lowly but essential part of the linen industry.
Bobbins were also used on a larger scale in other industries like the Ropeworks, another of Belfast's world-beating industries.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long, (pictured at the City Hall putting an Ulster linen tablecloth to good use as she enjoys a cup of coffee) welcomed linking the title of the new coffee shop to the city's proud industrial heritage.
"It is important that we recognise the contribution of ordinary working men and women who helped shape Belfast into the city that it is today," she said.
"Thanks to the hard work and creativity of her citizens, Belfast was recognised on a world stage for its industrial innovation.
"Now, centuries later, another chapter in history is being made, built on those same strengths - and this vote was a great opportunity to let people have their say in the naming of what undoubtedly will become an important attraction for both local people and visitors alike," she said.
The Bobbin coffee shop, and its associated exhibition space, will open to the public in October.
Belfast City Hall has been closed since October 2007 for major refurbishment.
The £11m renovation project included re-roofing, asbestos removal, drainage improvements, the installation of computer and associated network systems and the replacement of heating, mechanical and electrical systems.
Public-facing services, such as the Cemeteries Office and Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships, will return to City Hall at the end of September.
A full programme of activities for all the family to celebrate the City Hall re-opening is being planned for mid October.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Museum is to re-open on 22 October, officials have said.
Visitors to the museum can look forward to seeing a new exhibition featuring a 70 million-year-old dinosaur.
Staff are also bringing back other artefacts which have been in storage for three years.
The museum's Dr Jim McGreevy said the date marked the 80th anniversary of the original Stranmillis Road building's official opening.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Recalling Belfast's spinning and weaving heritage, the new coffee shop will be called The Bobbin and will be open to customers when the City Hall itself re-opens at the beginning of October.
More than 1,400 people voted in an online poll to name the facility with The Bobbin topping the poll with almost half the votes cast via the Belfast City Council website.
White Linen proved the second most popular choice, with almost 460 votes, followed by The Foundry and then The Blackstaff.
The new name was inspired by the city's history as a centre of the linen industry, which was the first in Belfast to become mechanised during the industrial revolution in the 1820s.
The bobbin - a spindle or cylinder, with or without flanges, on which yarn or thread is wound - was a lowly but essential part of the linen industry.
Bobbins were also used on a larger scale in other industries like the Ropeworks, another of Belfast's world-beating industries.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long, (pictured at the City Hall putting an Ulster linen tablecloth to good use as she enjoys a cup of coffee) welcomed linking the title of the new coffee shop to the city's proud industrial heritage.
"It is important that we recognise the contribution of ordinary working men and women who helped shape Belfast into the city that it is today," she said.
"Thanks to the hard work and creativity of her citizens, Belfast was recognised on a world stage for its industrial innovation.
"Now, centuries later, another chapter in history is being made, built on those same strengths - and this vote was a great opportunity to let people have their say in the naming of what undoubtedly will become an important attraction for both local people and visitors alike," she said.
The Bobbin coffee shop, and its associated exhibition space, will open to the public in October.
Belfast City Hall has been closed since October 2007 for major refurbishment.
The £11m renovation project included re-roofing, asbestos removal, drainage improvements, the installation of computer and associated network systems and the replacement of heating, mechanical and electrical systems.
Public-facing services, such as the Cemeteries Office and Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships, will return to City Hall at the end of September.
A full programme of activities for all the family to celebrate the City Hall re-opening is being planned for mid October.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Museum is to re-open on 22 October, officials have said.
Visitors to the museum can look forward to seeing a new exhibition featuring a 70 million-year-old dinosaur.
Staff are also bringing back other artefacts which have been in storage for three years.
The museum's Dr Jim McGreevy said the date marked the 80th anniversary of the original Stranmillis Road building's official opening.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 March 2004
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
12 October 2004
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
29 November 2022
Ulster-Scots Language Week Celebrated At City Hall
Belfast City Council have hosted a special event at City Hall to mark Ulster-Scots Language Week featuring Ulster-Scots music, poetry and storytelling. The event was organised by community development organisation, Small Steps, with support from the Ulster-Scots Agency and in partnership with Belfast City Council.
Ulster-Scots Language Week Celebrated At City Hall
Belfast City Council have hosted a special event at City Hall to mark Ulster-Scots Language Week featuring Ulster-Scots music, poetry and storytelling. The event was organised by community development organisation, Small Steps, with support from the Ulster-Scots Agency and in partnership with Belfast City Council.
19 September 2018
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
Primark Donates £500,000 To Support Businesses Affected By Fire
Retailer Primark is donating £500,000 to Belfast City Council's City Recovery Investment Fund. The fund is being set up after a number of businesses have been severely affected by the fire at the Bank Buildings which happened over three weeks ago. A cordon remains in place and 14 firms have been closed for up to four months.
14 December 2012
Foster's Flag Violence Condemnation 'Long Overdue'
The SDLP Chair of the Assembly's Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee Patsy McGlone has branded Arlene Foster’s condemnation of the ongoing violence in Northern Ireland as "long overdue".
Foster's Flag Violence Condemnation 'Long Overdue'
The SDLP Chair of the Assembly's Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee Patsy McGlone has branded Arlene Foster’s condemnation of the ongoing violence in Northern Ireland as "long overdue".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry and sunny start but cloud bubbling up with a few showers developing from late morning. Becoming dry and sunny along the east coast in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Showers gradually die out to leave good clear spells in the evening and overnight. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
