22/10/2004

Council urges people to ‘spend a penny for Belfast’

Belfast City Council is urging people to “spend a penny” on behalf of one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

For the cost of a single penny Belfast City Council is urging people to vote for St George’s Market, which is one of three National Lottery projects that has been shortlisted for the ‘Amazing Space’ awards.

The last surviving Victorian market in Belfast, St George’s Market, which is owned by Belfast City Council, was designed by Belfast Corporation’s city surveyor JC Bretland, and was completed in 1896.

Once the commercial heart of the rapidly expanding City of Belfast, by the early 1990s it had fallen into such decline that demolition was considered. However, recognising its importance to the city, the council undertook a major restoration of St George’s Market in the 1990s, at a cost of £3.2 million, with £2.3million of this coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

‘Amazing Spaces’ is one of four categories in the National Lottery Helping Hands awards, being presented in November as part of the Lottery’s 10th birthday celebrations. The number to call to vote for St George’s Market is 0871 872 1906 with a October 31 voting deadline.

(MB/GMCG)

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