Belfast City Council has worked with World Monuments Fund (WMF) on a conservation initiative that includes a conservation management plan by Belfast-based James Grieve Architects. The plan sets out a framework for the building's long-term care, upkeep and sustainable use, and has informed a new trilingual (English, Irish and Ulster Scots) display of 29 panels mounted on the exterior.

The content charts the site's evolution from its 18th-century beginnings as an Exchange or market hall, through its heyday as the Assembly Rooms at the heart of Georgian Belfast's social life, and later its years as the Belfast Banking Company's headquarters, a role it held until the bank closed in 2000.

Councillor Joe Duffy, Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: "It's fantastic to see the history of the Assembly Rooms being shared with Belfast residents and visitors alike through this interpretation project – and I'd encourage anyone with memories of this wonderful building to get in touch to share them.

"We're very grateful for the World Monuments Fund's support which has allowed us to draw on James Grieve's expertise and knowledge to raise awareness of this iconic building's past and to give us guidance on the building's conservation. These beautiful panels show why the Assembly Rooms is one of Belfast's most historic and culturally significant assets, and we want to conserve, reinvigorate and reuse it in a way that will not only benefit our citizens, but act as a catalyst for further city centre regeneration.

"In the next few years, we're going to see this part of the city centre transformed. As well as bringing the Assembly Rooms back to life and giving it purpose and relevance for generations to come, we'll be opening Belfast Stories, a stunning new public space, visitor attraction and creative hub on Royal Avenue in 2030. By next year, we'll have transformed Cathedral Gardens beside Ulster University into a world-class public space for people to gather, relax and play, and in the coming years, our partnership with GRAHAM is set to deliver £280m worth of residential-led, mixed use developments, providing much needed city centre living." Developed with James Grieve Architects, the interpretation also spotlights key figures linked to the building, such as Dr James McDonnell (1763–1845), the 'Father of Belfast Medicine' and organiser of the 1792 Belfast Harp Festival, and Martha McTier (1742–1837), a leading reformer who helped found one of the city's earliest maternity charities. A collaboration with the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) highlights three architects who shaped the landmark.

James Grieve said: "The research has revealed just how many layers of Belfast's history are contained within the Assembly Rooms. It has been especially rewarding to see those stories brought together and shared publicly, helping people understand how this remarkable building has evolved over more than 250 years."

Recent remedial work to the façade uncovered new insights, including a 'ghost sign' — a faded hand-painted remnant hinting at past uses — which the panels encourage passers-by to look up and notice. The scheme also points out a more recent feature that may be unfamiliar to younger visitors: the night safe, a secure after-hours deposit point once common in banking but now rarely used.

Magnus von Wistinghausen, Executive Director at WMF Britain, explains: "These discoveries are a reminder that, even after more than 250 years, there is still more to learn about the Assembly Rooms. The conservation management planning process is not only about protecting the historic fabric, but also about ensuring that people can understand and connect with the places around them. Research into the Assembly Rooms provided the foundation for this engaging interpretative scheme. We encourage people in Belfast and beyond to learn more about this remarkable historic building and contribute their own memories, helping to ensure its significance is carried forward for future generations."

As research continues, WMF is inviting the public to share memories, photographs and stories that shed light on the building's more recent life — whether you banked there, worked in the premises, attended events, or have family ties to the site.

These contributions will help capture the building's social history, especially its long period as a bank, at a time when in-branch experiences are increasingly part of the historical record due to the rise of online banking. The material gathered will deepen understanding of the site and support ongoing conservation and interpretation.

More than 250 years on, the Assembly Rooms is embarking on a new chapter, continuing to adapt to serve future generations of Belfast.

Share your memories: www.wmf.org/assemblyroomsmemories