Blackstaff Square
Since 2021, the BID have completed a number of interventions on and around Blackstaff Square to improve the Square’s appearance and promote it as a destination in its own right.
As part of the FLAXX contract, a petanque court was installed on Blackstaff Square in August 2022. Previous public realm improvements to the Square include the installation of tree wrap lighting (June 2021), placement of Flax Field planters (April 2022), and repainting of the bollards (April 2022).
To further enhance the Blackstaff Square area as a destination the BID have installed a vinyl featuring an intricate and colourful artwork celebrating local hospitality on the hoarding at 3-11 Brunswick Street. Located directly next to the FLAXX Social Space, the artwork is intended to add more visual vibrancy to this high-footfall area. It features a useful map of the Quarter’s hospitality venues as well as an overview of Petanque game rules for those seeking to try out the game on the Petanque court on Blackstaff square.
Linen Quarter BID have also developed a concept study to transform Blackstaff Square into an enhanced social space in the heart of the city centre.
Concepts for the square envisage a vibrant and accessible social space complete with an outdoor zone and pavement café stretching from the Crown Liquor Saloon onto Great Victoria Street and Brunswick Street. The suggested proposal also advocates for reduced traffic in the area with the pedestrianisation and high-quality resurfacing of Amelia Street to integrate the road surface into the surrounding square. The study also advocates for the introduction of central kiosk which will facilitate early morning use and marketing stalls to add vibrancy in the evenings and support the night-time economy.
