Councillor says: “It is disappointing a big business couldn’t do a quick Google search”
Belfast councillors have made an appeal for the new HALT market in the city centre to change its name – to stop any harmful impact on another older business with the same name in East Belfast.
At a special meeting of the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee on Wednesday (August 28), elected representatives heard an update from Translink on Belfast Grand Central Station, covering a range of issues.
At the meeting, representatives from Alliance and the Greens made an appeal to Translink to use its influence to try and influence the group responsible for the new market at Europa to change its branding to help an older business in East Belfast.
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‘HALT at Weaver’s Cross’ opened in July as a ‘meanwhile use’ market on the site of the old Europa Bus Station on Great Victoria Street. Until further notice it is home to a number of small independent food outlets, a bar, and hosts live music. The site was developed by MRP, a division of Belfast-based company McAleer and Rushe. It is now home to small independent food outlets.
Its namesake ‘HALT’, a brunch spot on the Beersbridge Road, was opened by former Merchant hotel chef Stephen Johnston in 2023. Mr Johnston has spoken publicly of his frustration with the Europa market, and has sought legal advice.
Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan said at the council meeting at City Hall: “I really appreciate the work supporting small local businesses within the old (Europa) centre, but it would be remiss of me not to take the opportunity to raise the issue of the name, which has really put out another local independent business in the city, with a very similar name and branding.
“I think it is ill-thought through. I think it was entirely accidental, and I don’t think there was any ill will or there was any malice at all. But it is the reality of what has occurred, and it has created issues for an independent business.
“There has been a bit of an outcry about it, but the name has remained. I appreciate that Translink are not the only stakeholders here, and that there is another third party operating it. But I would urge Translink to use its influence upon something that is supposed to support small and independent local business in the city, to not hurt another independent operator. I don’t see why it needed to be what it is.”
Alliance Councillor Fiona McAteer said: “I represent Titanic, East Belfast, and the original HALT. It is disappointing a big business couldn’t do a quick Google search to see there is another small local business ten minutes up the road (with the same name).
“I know all the boxes aren’t finished yet (at Europa), but is there any discussion or possibility that when we do get all those boxes filled that there could be a rebrand or a refresh?”
A representative from Translink replied: “The name was developed by our partner MRP, which we have limited influence over, in terms of how they operate their business there. It is worth pointing out that there are other businesses around Northern Ireland with similar names. It is difficult to get a balance with these things.
“I appreciate there were concerns raised, but that is largely between MRP and the smaller business holder. It is not for Translink to get into the middle of those discussions.”
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