Belfast: a city which reinvented itself through community

For many of a certain age, Belfast was a city which almost lived in a different universe. It was a city which depicted violence, anger, danger and a deep social divide.

Last week, it was announced that Hasting Hotels Grand Central had just been awarded 5-star status which maybe a news item in itself but represents also just how far the city has evolved since the days of old.

Today, Belfast is home to a vibrant start-up community as well as many great old landmarks being refurbished including the Titanic Museum and a £12m investment in the Grand Opera House. Belfast is once again competing on a global marketplace in a way which never could have been envisaged even 30 years ago.

Even the old so-called “peace lines” or walls which were erected back in the early 70s to physically separate Catholic and Protestant neighbourhoods in order to decrease the sectarian bloodshed are today pieces of history which people do want to view.

The lesson of Belfast is just how a city placed its troubles to one side and has rebuilt itself. It has been progressive, patient and shown faith in its people as the process has evolved. The troubles and tensions are seemingly never far away which one can easily see from the political landscape but somehow one senses that it is the community and people who drive a new agenda which does want to see a new image and story for Northern Ireland and the City.

One of the strange lessons on 2022 is that it does seem that society and politics do live in different worlds. Society has become global and almost now moved beyond the political world; it is communities which drive rebuilding. Is society and communities now more progressive than those in politics? Not hard to argue this case after the various stories of 2022.

One wonders whether today Hospitality is an international language which is central to prosperity and communities to a level it never has been previously? Belfast had its hospitality figureheads over the years but it is the industry which has played a central role in the reimagining of the city. This can be equally true all across the world and is a common language which brings people together.

The level of rebuilding and reimagining should not be underestimated. It came from a deep low. It is estimated that 3,600 people were killed during the troubles in Northern Ireland. It was a constant story of human sadness which lasted close to thirty years. The story of modern Belfast is how successfully it has rebuilt. Hospitality and tourism have played a central role in the rebuilding process. The City has had 20 years of tourism growth which was hard fought to achieve. This in turn attracted new business ventures and a vibrant enterprise economy which has seen Belfast prosper. The city became relevant once again.

The story of the Grand Central Hotel is illustrative of the new Belfast. It reopened its doors in 2018 after a two-year refurbishment. It now has five-star status. It is a story of success within an even greater story.

Stephen Meldrum, General Manager of the Grand Central Hotel Belfast said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded a five-star rating by the AA and I would like to pay testament to every single member of staff as it is because of them that this recognition has been made possible. It is great, not only for Hastings Hotels but also for tourism in Northern Ireland as we continue to produce a first-class offering both in terms of the product and the people.

When we opened the doors of the Grand Central in June 2018, we wanted to bring a different experience to Belfast and we have achieved that. From the very beginning, we have provided a 5-star proposition, so it is fantastic for this to have been made official. We offer first-class service, luxurious accommodation and a fabulous selection of dining options serving an array of culinary delights using the very best of local provenance. And the pièce de résistance is the Observatory on the 23rd floor, which is the tallest cocktail bar in Ireland offering breathtaking views over Belfast and beyond.”

Belfast today is a historic yet modern city which has moved on. It is an example of what can be achieved by a community.