Hipsters incoming: We might have a new pop-up mall in Belfast

Apparently it’s the new Shoreditch


A proposal to create a pop up mall in the Titanic Quarter could see Belfast model itself on ageing East London hotspot Shoreditch.

The new pop up aims to “push boundaries”, and will model itself on Shoreditch Box Park, using shipping containers to create “innovative urban spaces” for cafes, shops and film showings.

The proposal, from the people behind Belfast’s T13, would see “Contained” run for 3 months before the year is out.

Box Park has transformed a previously ‘run-down’ and deprived area of London into an exciting, lively hotspot.

The team behind “Contained” aim to help the City’s plans to double tourism levels in the city by 2020, and hope the project will “animate and create vibrancy in the walkway between the Cathedral Quarter, City Centre, the river and Titanic Quarter”.

The new project will be based in the Titanic Quarter

It hopes to bring a “tea and coffee festival” to Northern Ireland, along with the All-Ireland Parkour Championships, Jiu Jitsu UK Championships and XpoT13 Ministry of Sound.

The pilot project will cost a massive £260,000, with Belfast City Council being asked to donate £60,000 towards the total cost.

But if approved the project would create jobs for 300 full time staff and would attract an audience of 20,000.

City councillors on the committee will be asked to approve the pilot project on Wednesday.

Children’s Nursing third year Rebecca Boyle said: “It would be interesting to see happen, and a cool spot to hang out and shop in the months before the Christmas Market comes round.”