Belfast City Council Agrees £2.85m Deal for Historic Assembly Rooms

Belfast City Council is preparing to purchase the historic Assembly Rooms, one of the city's oldest buildings, for around £2.7 to £2.85 million. The Assembly Rooms, located at the corner of North Street and Waring Street, date back to the 18th century and have served various historic roles, including hosting the 1792 Belfast Harp Festival and later functioning as a bank. The building has been vacant since 2000 and is listed on the Heritage at Risk Register due to its derelict condition. The council's purchase would include the Assembly Rooms and associated lands such as parts of the North Street car park and nearby listed buildings. This move has been welcomed by local politicians and heritage groups, who view it as an opportunity to restore the site for public use and contribute to the cultural and economic regeneration of Belfast's city centre. The deal is subject to ratification at the council's upcoming full meeting.