The Strandtown Traders Association has launched a brand new website (www.belmontroadbelfast.com) for the Belmont Road Village area, along with a new proactive marketing approach aimed at promoting the area. This initiative, part-funded by Belfast City Council, is also geared towards increasing visitor numbers and its overall profile.
Coordinated by the Strandtown Traders Association, the new website puts the spotlight on Belmont Road as an area for everything from shopping, services, leisure, community and food. It allows for the group to showcase both the community feel and the quality and number of interesting independent shops. The group will also be more proactive with its marketing through creating new community-focused events and advertising; ensuring everyone keeps up to date with what is going on and ultimately get involved.
Kieran Hill, independent retailer and Strandtown Traders Association representative, said:
“Belmont Road is strong in independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Visitors love this and the new brand puts the focus on our variety shops and services. A lot of cities would envy the Belmont Road Village’s community feel, that its high street isn’t a cookie-cutter row of the same shops, and that it’s a modern area with a lot of history mixed in.
“Our new website and marketing approach for the area is all about letting the rest of the Belfast and further afield know, clearly and confidently, that there’s nowhere like the Belmont Road.
“Too many people miss the Belmont Road on their way to somewhere else. Or they’re just passing through. This new identity is for them. We want them to stop, to know where we are on the map and to head here first. We want to show them what a special place this is.”
For the past number of years, Belfast City Council has funded the delivery of area-based activities aimed at supporting local neighbourhood-based retail hubs. Activities to date have primarily focused upon increasing footfall within targeted areas and have been developed by business associations with a specific geographical focus. Strandtown Traders Association was one of seven associations that took part in this most recent project to provide mentoring support in the development of marketing and promotional plans, with the aim to increase awareness and business development for the local area.
Councillor Aileen Graham, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “The Council is committed to supporting our independent retailers and traders associations which are the backbone of our local economy.
“Indeed neighbourhood-based retail plays a vital role in sustaining and creating jobs while also providing valuable local services which improve community cohesion and wellbeing.
“A number of business associations from across Belfast including Strandtown Traders Association have received funding support from Council for a range of promotional and marketing activities this year aimed at increasing footfall and sales within their catchment areas. These include the Christmas period and other seasonal events.
“This new website by Strandtown Traders Association is another key project now which will put the Belmont Road on the map by showcasing the area as a fantastic place to shop, eat-out or simply visit!”
The Belmont Road is also gearing up to showcase its very first fashion show in September, followed by its first ever food tour of the area in October to mark Belfast Restaurant Week. More information on these events can be found of the new website and via their social media channels.
To check out the new website please log on to www.belmontroadbelfast.com. For more information on Belfast City Council’s support for local businesses, visit the council website at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/businessinfo