Agenda item

            Mr. G. Copeland, City Events Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The City Events Manager outlined to the Committee that Belfast City Marathon Limited (Ltd.) had advised the Council of its proposed changes to the city’s marathon course and for the event to be staged on a Sunday, instead of May Day, from 2019 onwards.

            He reminded the Members that Belfast City Marathon Ltd. was a free-standing, legally constituted organisation which had no legal connection to the Council other than funding arrangements.  He explained that the Council funded the Marathon through the City Events Unit’s budget, where the contribution for the 2018 event was £26,000.

            He reported to the Committee that, over the last 36 years, the marathon had used various routes throughout the City and, given its increased popularity, that there had been calls from the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce for the Marathon to be held on a Sunday.  He explained that the recent request for the event to be moved to a Sunday was due to the level of traffic disruption created on what was now an important day in the retail calendar.

            The City Events Manager advised the Members that a new route had also been proposed for the marathon, which included key iconic locations across the city.

            He explained that the Belfast City Marathon Ltd had requested the Council’s support for the new route and the change of day which would see the event taking place on Sunday, 5th May, 2019 and then annually on the Sunday of the first May Bank Holiday weekend.

            It was highlighted to the Committee that Belfast City Marathon Ltd intended to consult widely on the proposed new course and on the move to a Sunday.  He advised that the consultation would include stakeholders and the various places of worship which would be affected by the new course both directly and indirectly.

            The City Events Manager outlined that Belfast City Marathon Ltd had advised that the timeframe in which to develop and deliver the proposed changes would need to be implemented 12 months in advance of the 2019 event taking place.

            During discussion, a number of Members expressed concerns in relation to the proposed new route, particularly that the Ormeau Road had been almost entirely removed.  A number of Members stated that the change would have a detrimental economic impact on the traders along the Ormeau Road, which had historically been an area of the course with a high number of supporters.  A further Member stated that the route within the north of the city was disappointing.

            In relation to the proposed change of day, a Member expressed some concerns in relation to the number of churches which would be impacted along the route.  He stated that there were other churches which were not listed within the report which would need to be consulted about the proposed changes to the day and the route.

            A number of Members suggested that Belfast City Marathon Ltd. be invited in to discuss the proposed changes at a future Committee meeting.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     agreed that it would reserve its position on the proposed changes to the Belfast City Marathon at this stage;

2.     agreed that Belfast City Marathon Limited be invited to attend a future meeting to discuss the proposed changes to both the route and the day;

3.     agreed that it would consider its position on the proposed changes after the public consultation had concluded; and

4.     noted that the Belfast City Marathon Limited was a free standing, legally constituted organisation that had no legal connection to Belfast City Council, other than funding arrangements.