SAVING THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS

The Assembly Rooms located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is the city’s most historic building. Originally built as a single storey market house in 1769 an additional storey was added in 1776 transforming it into the Assembly Rooms. As such it lay at the very centre of the eighteenth century town.

It was also central to the cultural life of the town during its enlightenment era. It was the venue for the famous Harp Festival of 1792, the defeat of the proposal to set up a Belfast based slave trading company, the foundation of the Ballast Board, forerunner of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, and for the court martials of United Irish prisoners, including Henry Joy McCracken, at the time of the 1798 rebellion.

It was converted into a bank in 1845 in work undertaken by Belfast’s most celebrated nineteenth century architect, Charles Lanyon. That has left us with the legacy of a magnificent banking hall.

The bank closed in 2000 and the building has been vacant ever since. Despite its grade B1 listing it had to be placed on the ‘at risk’ register in 2003. Even in deteriorating condition it was used in the early years of this millennium by theatre companies, for concerts, and exhibitions, an indication of its future potential if only it can be saved.

Latterly the Assembly Rooms became part of the wider Tribeca project promoted by developers, Castlebrooke. They proposed that this historic building should become a boutique hotel, in any case a truly inappropriate use

As with the rest of the properties embraced by the Tribeca scheme nothing has been done. Instead according to a survey undertaken in January of this year the Assembly Rooms are now in a close to catastrophic condition with dry rot rampant and water ingress accelerating the destruction. As the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society says; ‘ It is shocking that such an architecturally important and historically significant building … can come to be treated as a mere derelict eye sore.’

The City Council should use its powers immediately to intervene to ensure that remedial action is taken.

Castlebrooke are in the process of submitting an application for renewal of their existing planning application. Given their failure to date this must not be passed on the nod.

Far better that Castebrooke should donate the Assembly Rooms to the people of Belfast.

Failing that the City Council may come to the rescue. They have indicated an intention to acquire the Assembly Rooms sooner rather than later whether by vesting or by purchase. This is a welcome development provided that they pursue appropriate future uses for the building.

If the Council fails to act then others of us will seek to act independently.

This petition has been launched by the Assembly Rooms Alliance The Alliance was established in February 2023 with the objective ‘to preserve the Assembly Rooms and to secure them for

public use as a facility for arts and heritage purposes and for other community uses.’ Those involved include a range of cultural organisations, potential users of the building, and individuals with particular expertise.

The Alliance has developed proposals for the future use of the building and as follows;

1. The Banking Hall.

This is a particularly fine space at the front of the building dating from the 19th century conversion of the building into a bank. It is capable of accommodating an audience of up to 300.

This should provide a semi-permanent display on the remarkable history of the building, This should be demountable to facilitate other major events.

Otherwise the space should provide a multi-purpose venue for cultural, arts, and community events. These might include concerts, conferences, drama, exhibitions, lectures etc/ etc. It would also serve as tour venue.

2. The rest of the building.

Extensive accommodation lies behind the Banking Hall.

Our current proposal is that this should accommodate the proposed Museum of the Troubles and Peace. This enlightened vision has a wide range of distinguished supporters. It is one that will avoid any single overarching narrative. Rather it will provide a multi-faceted experience for visitors to explore.

MoTaP will certainly provide the opportunity for in depth exploration by our own communities but will also attract visitors from afar.

This petition isn't just about reclaiming a building; it's about reclaiming our heritage and ensuring that future generations have access to tangible pieces of their past. Please sign this petition if you believe in preserving historical landmarks like the Assembly Rooms for public use.