What is still to be completed at Belfast Grand Central Station one year after opening

Works are still underway in the area surrounding the £340million station

Belfast Grand Central Station opened its doors to the public this day last year. The £340million station in the city centre has been hailed as one of the biggest public transport projects ever undertaken in Northern Ireland.

When its first phase opened last year, the hub was hailed as a modern gateway to the city and a key investment in future rail and bus services. One year on, there is still a lot of work to be done especially in the area surrounding the station.

To look back on the year since the station opened, we’re taking stock of what has been achieved so far, and what is still to come for the travel hub.

READ MORE: Translink told five lane plan for Durham Street beside Grand Central is “lunacy”READ MORE: Stormont decision on new Belfast airport rail link due soon

When did Grand Central Station open?

Belfast Grand Central Station opened on September 8, 2024 with bus services. The first trains from the station departed on October 13.

The £340 million station was hailed as a modern gateway to the city and a key investment in future public transport services.

Earlier this week, on September 2, 2025, privately-owned bus services to Dublin Airport and city centre began operating from the travel hub for the first time.

What shops have opened in the station since opening?

Since opening, a number of shops have opened in Grand Central Station. Northern Ireland’s first BrewDog bar and restaurant location is in operation at the site.

There is also an M&S Food, Pret A Manger, and Strabucks currently open at the station. Concerns have been raised around the lack of local Northern Irish businesses operating from the travel hub.

What public realm works need to be completed?

Public realm works surrounding the site have contributed to traffic congestion in Belfast city centre. Durham Street has been fully closed from Grosvenor Road to Hope Street since October 12, 2024, and is expected to be closed for up to 12 months.

The works here included dismantling the 1936 Durham Street/Boyne Bridge, which took place in February 2025, to finish phase one of public realm works. The demolition has provoked regular protest from local residents and objections from the Orange Order.

Concerns have been raised about pedestrian safety outside the station due to no new pedestrian crossings on the Grosvernor Road to account for increased pedestrian footfall, with the move branded “an accident waiting to happen.”

Last week, councillors described a plan for five lanes of traffic, an increase of two lanes, on Durham Street as “lunacy”, as they heard an update on works associated with Grand Central Station.

Further disruptions to traffic and travel are to be imposed on and around Great Victoria Street early next year as part of phase two public realm works for the station. From January to April 2026, there will be kerb alignment outside the Europa and Northern Mall, work on the Amelia Street entrance, and new paving laid down in front of the Grand Opera House and the Fitzwilliam Hotel.

What is Translink’s most recent update on the project?

In the most recent update on public realm works, issued by Translink on September 5, they said: “Access from Hope Street to the western slip road at St Andrew’s Square will be closed from Monday 8th September to enable essential public realm improvements on Hope St.

“The footpath going west along Hope Street will be closed at that access road heading towards the Durham Street junction until further notice. The footpath on the south side of Hope Street remains available.

“Access to the Belfast City Council pay and display car park remains available from Hope Street.

“Access to and from the Great Northern multi-storey car park remains available on the eastern side of the square, that runs along the side of the Hampton by Hilton Hotel. Pedestrian access to the mall also remains available.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience and support during these important works.”

What’s next for the station?

Details of the reopening of Durham Street is expected to come in the next few weeks, while phase two public realm works will begin in the surrounding area early next year. This is expected to improve the look and accessibility of the area around the station.

There is also debate surrounding proposed Irish language signage at Grand Central Station, with the Infrastructure Minister pledging that Irish will appear across the station later in 2025.

However, a legal challenge has been raised against the proposal and design work has been paused as a result. The legal challenge is scheduled for a full hearing this month.

If the court rules the minister acted lawfully in proposing dual language signage, installation is expected to go ahead before the end of the year. If not, the matter may have to return to the Executive for a decision.

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