‘About time’ Durham Street reopens, businesses say

A Belfast city centre road that has been closed for more than a year is set to reopen on Saturday, Translink have announced.

Durham Street was closed in October 2024 to accommodate the demolition of the Boyne Bridge as part of works around Grand Central Station.

On Monday the transport operator said it would reopen in time for the “busy festive period”.

Welcoming the news, some business owners on Sandy Row told BBC News NI the reopening was overdue.

Paul McCann, a shop owner in the area, said his and other businesses had been cut off from the rest of Belfast since the road was closed.

He said he had to close another of his shops as a direct result.

“I’m just basically trying to save this here shop as, the footfall out there, it’s all gone, what with the work Translink and the hub are doing,” he said.

Mr McCann added that he would not believe Translink until he saw the road open himself.

“But it is about time [the road reopens],” he added.

The owner of Kins Cuts barbershop on Sandy Row, Hope Solomon, said his business, which has been operating for about six years, also took a hit when Durham Street closed.

“It’s had a big effect on the business, it’s slowed the rate of clients especially the walk-ins I’d say by about 60%,” he said.

“Before the bridge was closed we were getting new people coming in, like tourists and everything.

“We’d be buzzing to see it open.”

Translink said the road was due to reopen at 08:00 GMT on 29 November.

The public transport provider added the area would now feature a drop-off and pick-up point, as well as a pedestrian crossing allowing for “easy direct level access to the station, communities and businesses in the area”.

Chris Conway, Translink chief executive, said the reopening would provide local communities, pedestrians and road users safe and convenient access to Belfast Grand Central Station and the surrounding area.

“I would like to thank the local communities, businesses, customers and the wider public for their patience and support as we worked hard to deliver this milestone,” he said.