After nearly five years and more than one million visitors, 2 Royal Avenue is preparing to celebrate the final weeks of its successful community and cultural programme with a variety of festive events and activities.
The popular venue is inviting residents and visitors to enjoy its remaining celebrations before the temporary-use programme comes to an end on 31 December.
The landmark building is set to enter an exciting new phase of development in 2027, including the delivery of Belfast's first dedicated LGBTQIA+ Hub on the first floor supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and emerging plans for a new not-for-profit civic and cultural space on the ground floor, set to launch later next year.
Five Years of Meanwhile Use
Since acquiring 2 Royal Avenue in 2021, Belfast City Council has led the transformation of one of the city's most recognisable buildings into a thriving civic and cultural destination. Working in partnership with MayWe, council funded the successful meanwhile use of the building's ground floor as a community and cultural space, including the café operated by Yallaa Catering, while exploring longer-term uses for the venue that preserve the spirit of the space and ensure its future financial sustainability.
Through an ambitious meanwhile use programme, the building grew into a vibrant and inclusive space that has welcomed visitors, supported artists, community groups and local organisations, and played a key role in reimagining Belfast city centre.
Plans for the Future
As the meanwhile use programme draws to a close, the Council is finalising plans to secure a sustainable long-term future for the building that builds upon the thriving cultural and civic destination that has been created. Following an Expression of Interest process earlier this year, elected members have agreed to progress proposals with a new occupier with plans to deliver a not-for-profit civic and cultural space, alongside Belfast's first dedicated LGBTQIA+ Hub, creating an exciting new era for 2 Royal Avenue and the city centre.
Reflecting on 2 Royal Avenue's journey, Councillor Joe Duffy, Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said:
We want to place on record our sincere thanks to MayWe and Yallaa for working with us on this pilot project which explored how we could transform this city centre asset into a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive civic and cultural space. Their commitment, energy and professionalism in delivering 2 Royal Avenue's first chapter over the past five years has been outstanding.
2 Royal Avenue's success has exceeded our expectations. It has brought so many people together, fostered new cultural and community partnerships, supported artists and organisations, and demonstrated the vital role that accessible, inclusive and creative spaces play in city life. The project has generated invaluable learning for the Council and laid strong foundations that are shaping the building's future.
We're proud of everything that has been achieved through this pioneering initiative and look forward to continuing our partnership with MayWe through future cultural programmes and events, including PEACEPLUS.
Now, 2 Royal Avenue is getting ready to enter an exciting new era. The evolving proposals will retain and enhance the elements that have made the space so successful, while adopting a sustainable operating model that secures its long-term future. Culture, community, and a warm Belfast welcome will remain at the heart of the venue, ensuring 2 Royal Avenue continues to serve as a place where people can connect, create and belong for years to come.
Closure and Festive Events
2 Royal Avenue will temporarily close from early January 2027 to allow for work starting on the LGBTQIA+ Hub, along with a much-needed programme of work to help protect and enhance the venue for the future.
In the meantime, there is still plenty to enjoy at 2 Royal Avenue throughout November and December, with a range of festive events alongside Santa's Post Office delivered by Belfast One Bid, where young visitors can meet Santa's elves and enjoy free seasonal activities.
The Council is currently working with MayWe to ensure all those who use and enjoy 2 Royal Avenue at present are aware of upcoming changes.
Arrangements are still being finalised for 2 Royal Avenue's new era and venue updates will be posted on Belfast City Council's website and social media in the coming months.
