BWC Relocation

A visitor’s first steps in planning, exploring & experiencing the modern, vibrant Belfast

Julie Cochrane

Manager

Relocation of Belfast Welcome Centre

“the new Belfast Welcome Centre should showcase the Belfast ‘story’, its gateway role and its city brand in an environment which is modern and inspired, where technology in all its forms is being deployed effectively, and where efficient and friendly customer handling goes hand in glove with ‘commerciality”

• Part of the strategic development of the BVCB & Visitor Servicing

• £1.8m committed by Belfast City Council & NITB

• Vision of the new BWC:

• Planned Opening mid-late Nov 2013 (originally end Sept / early Oct 2013)

Project Overview - 2013/14 Targets

• 20% increase in footfall & 13% increase in total enquiries

• 328,000 visitors in 2013/14 & 373,000 in 2014/15 (targets to be revised due to later opening)

• 417,500 total enquiries in 2013/14 & 447,000 in 2014/15 (targets to be revised due to later opening)

• £1.12m commercial activity

• 10% Increase in visitor spend

• £9.4m into the local economy in 2013/14 & £10.37m in 2014/15

Welcome Centre Services and Offerings

• Enhanced Retail Offering

• Gift shop with Unique Belfast Product Range

• Bureau de Change

• Left Luggage

• Accommodation Booking

• Box Office - Dedicated Ticket Desk for Events and Tours

• Free WIFI

Vision for the new centre

Vision for the new centre

Self Service Area

Counter Staff, Ticketing & General Info

Commercial Islands

Commercial Islands

Key Themes:Maritime Culture & HeritageEntertainment Food, Drink & RetailGreat Outdoors Family FunBeyond Belfast Beyond Belfast

Opportunity to purchase space

Commercial Platforms

• Self-Service Information touch screens

• Interactive Information Islands

• Interactive Maps

• Digital Signage Advertising Displays

• Large Scale Video Wall

• Small Externally facing Video Wall

• Destination-focus Commercial Advertising Screens

• Events, Products & Destinations Advertising Screens behind counters

Commercial Opportunities & Floor Plan

Video Wall

Next Steps

• Member Info will populate the Self-Service Kiosks

• Member racking in self-service areas (DL, A4, A5)

• Commercial Opportunities available from June to advertise and promote in the new centre

• Will do pre-opening member evenings

• Minimum standards for content and visuals will be set to ensure high quality of visitor information consistent with the new centre

For more info on commercial opportunities contact Joanne O’Hagan