Linen Quarter Locals: Mark Irwin, Financial Times

How long you’ve worked In The Linen Quarter?

I’ve been working at Financial Times on Ormeau Avenue for 7 years, where I am currently an International Data Manager.

What do you like most about working in the Linen Quarter?

Hard to beat working across the road from a Wetherspoons! The Linen Quarter is full of great eateries, particular highlights being Taste Deli recently opened and Snax both on Linenhall Street. The curry from Snax, top notch, and handed to you almost immediately. Linen Quarter is ideally located within Belfast. Fantastic transport links with access to Metro buses at City Hall, as well as Glider stops and of course the upcoming Grand Central Train Station. Cycling infrastructure is good with the gasworks link to the lagan towpath, along with several dedicated cycle lanes across the district.

What was your first experience of Linen Quarter Business Improvement District (LQ BID)?

My desk has a great view overlooking Bedford Street, and in 2018 I sat there wondering why someone was out painting the newly widened footpath. A quick investigation later and It was LQ BID! Part of the campaign to improve pedestrian access and brighten up Bedford Street. From this our office got more involved in LQ BID programme of events, such as the health checks, bike servicing and of course the famous Pétanque Tournament.

How do you think LQ BID adds value for your business or staff team?

LQ BID is a dedicated and adventurous organisation, which isn’t afraid to trial new ideas or events. This leads to a wide and diverse programme of events every year, with something for everyone; whether its morning yoga, sports, health checks, or networking events. These have proved popular in my office, with different groups taking part in different activities, and during the Pétanque tournament we had some lovely summer lunch time sessions as an office practicing down at the Piste. The events are brilliant opportunities for staff members to get to know one another better, and to meet other people across the district. The programmes work alongside FT policies helping support our business in its goals of sustainability and improving health and wellbeing of staff.

How do you stay in touch with the LQ BID network?

The newsletter email would be our main point of contact, along with the contacts we’ve gathered up on LinkedIn. We have nearly all of the office signed up to the newsletter, but it also gets shared internally for those that aren’t.

Any final comments?

Just to thank all the staff at LQ BID, for their dedication to the district, and to everyone working in the Linen Quarter, do get involved, you will enjoy it!