What Belfast One got up to during lockdown

While Belfast One cannot overestimate the harmful impact the Coronavirus pandemic has had on our City Centre, many businesses have proven how adaptive and re-active they can be. Without a doubt this has been a challenging year for everyone and the team at Belfast One have been on hand to provide support and guidance to businesses.

Belfast One stepped up to the mark at all phases, and with a pragmatic and operational approach, we have continued to help our businesses. Projects including campaigns to increase footfall (with a focus on consumer confidence); increased cleansing schedules; tackling antisocial behaviour and even pest control, now hold even more importance.

• We delayed the levy invoices to help alleviate the financial pressure businesses were facing. We also gave a 4-month reduction to our levy charges.
• Promoted businesses that were able to stay open during the lockdowns and businesses that have reopened via our website and across all of our social media channels.
• Our partner, Ecolab Pest Control, carried out pest control operations focusing on those problematic areas.
• Partnered with CQ BID and Linen Quarter BID to strengthen the Belfast City Centre Gift Card initiative.
• Strong business engagement with a dedicated Business Engagement Officer.
• Additional on street cleaning carried out by our Clean Team, with a focus on shop front areas,
  disinfecting and power washing.
• Additional policing in the Belfast One area by the City Beat Officers, who played a vital role, ensuring safety levels were maintained (including high visibility patrols, conducting security checks on premises and addressing anti-social behaviour).
• Developed a new Covid-19 website section as a trusted source of information on business support, public health, safety and government guidance, available here.

• Promoted businesses that were able to stay open during the lockdowns and businesses that have reopened via our website and across all of our social media channels.
• Worked in Partnership with Belfast Live to reassure consumer confidence and support businesses re-opening.
• Our partner, Ecolab Pest Control, carried out pest control operations focusing on those problematic areas.
• Partnered with CQ BID and Linen Quarter BID to strengthen the Belfast City Centre Gift Card initiative.
• Strong business engagement with a dedicated Business Engagement Officer
• Additional on street cleaning carried out by our Clean Team, with a focus on shop front areas,
  disinfecting and power washing. In partnership with Belfast City Council’s Cleansing Team, the two teams ensured the City was kept clean and looked its best when it reopened in December.
• Additional policing in the Belfast One area by the City Beat Officers, who played a vital role, ensuring safety levels were maintained (including high visibility patrols, conducting security checks on premises and addressing anti-social behaviour).
• Promotional activity in partnership with key stakeholders for the Government’s Eat Out To Help Out Scheme.
• Working in partnership with Belfast City Council and Belfast Chamber, we welcomed visitors back to the City Centre ahead of the reopening of retail and most hospitality venues and incorporated a safety message through PR activity.
• Launched the Belfast Christmas Trail which received 406 participants over the course of 2 and half weeks.

As we move into 2021 we will continue to help ensure a co-ordinated local response to the Covid-19 recovery and transformational process, supporting business needs now and adapting our projects and activities to best support businesses going forward.