Agenda item

            The Committee was reminded that the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau and the Council had appointed Tourism Transport Consult, in association with Allan Balnaves, to assess the rationale for relocating the Belfast Welcome Centre.  The report had examined three options, that is, the move to the former Northern Bank, 8-10 Donegall Square North or to the Belfast Central Library or to remain at the current location in Donegall Place.

            The potential for a relocation of the Welcome Centre had undergone a Strategic Review Starting Gate, which the Council applied to the procurement of infrastructure, information technology, property and goods and services.  Through that process, it aimed to improve procurement discipline and outcomes by encouraging better performance in project planning, development and execution.  The Strategic Outline Case had received an overall rating of Green for the project suggesting that the successful delivery of the project to time and cost quality appeared highly likely, subject to more detailed assessment and Council approval.  The detailed assessment required an economic appraisal to be undertaken for each of the options.  ASM Horwath Consultants had been tasked with undertaking the economic appraisal and had been invited to attend to present the draft report to the Committee.  Each of the three options had been appraised against a range of financial factors, including floor area, rental costs, income, increased footfall, income opportunities, fit-out costs, partnership opportunities and opportunities to purchase.  The sites had been assessed also against non-monetary factors, including the gateway role of a Welcome Centre, acceptability, timelines, accessibility, minimum disruption and flexibility.

            It was reported that Messrs. M. Williamson and J. Parker, representing the Consultants, were in attendance and they were welcomed by the Chairman.

            With the assistance of visual aids, Mr. Williamson reviewed the role of the Belfast Welcome Centre and the background to its establishment.  He then proceeded to outline the number of enquiries received at the centre during its opening period, the targets for the next two financial years and the income which had been generated at the centre.  He referred to each of the options which had been considered and the pros and cons associated with each of the sites, the cost of fit-out, the operating costs and revenues, the wider economic benefit and the cost to benefit ratio.  He indicated that each of these options had been ranked in the following order:

(1)    relocate to Donegall Square North (the former Northern Bank Building);

(2)    remain at Donegall Place and refurbish;

(3)    remain at Donegall Place and do nothing; and

(4)    relocate to Belfast Central Library.

            He stated that the next steps for the Council were to decide on its preferred location, firm up any capital costs and agree any capital spend, decide on the future funding model for the Centre and, if required, set a date for the move. 

            The deputation then answered a number of questions from the Members in relation to the costs of the fit-out of each of the venues, the estimated number of enquiries and whether the regeneration of surrounding areas had been taken into account in the economic appraisal.

            The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the deputation for attending and they retired meeting. 

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and that a further report in relation to the findings of the economic appraisal would be submitted to the Committee for consideration in due course.