Half Million Boost to Bring North Belfast's Iconic Floral Hall Back to Life

The regeneration of one of North Belfast’s most cherished but neglected landmarks has taken a massive step forward, thanks to a significant funding injection. Belfast City Council has agreed to allocate £500,000 towards installing a new roof on the iconic Floral Hall at Belfast Zoo, sparking widespread hope that the site can finally be brought back into public use.

The Floral Hall first opened its doors back in 1936, just two years after the zoo itself, quickly becoming a central hub for entertainment. For decades, it was a place where generations made memories, operating as a popular dance hall, a café, and even featuring roller skating facilities. It also achieved fame as a major concert venue, hosting globally renowned acts like Pink Floyd, Small Faces, Gene Vincent, and Roy Orbison.

Unfortunately, the venue closed its doors as a concert hall in 1972 and was last officially used as a count centre for the Northern Ireland border poll referendum in 1973. Since then, the magnificent structure has stood dormant, suffering significant dereliction over the last 53 years.

Local councillor Carl Whyte welcomed the news, confirming that the initial phase of restoration is now fully funded. He noted that extensive asbestos clearing operations—a necessary hurdle—have now been successfully completed.

"This half million pounds is essential for installing a new roof on the Floral Hall," Whyte explained. "Crucially, this will make the building fully watertight. The next exciting stage will involve engaging with people across Belfast to decide exactly how we bring the Floral Hall back to life to benefit the community here in North Belfast and our city as a whole."

This investment is expected to allow a new generation to create their own memories at the site, ensuring this historic landmark once again plays a vital role in regenerating this important part of our city.