Expert Office Advice

Vital stats and business information for companies considering relocation to or setting up an office in Belfast.

Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland and also its capital. It is also the second largest city in Ireland. Belfast have acquired a dubious reputation as the centre of troubles in Northern Ireland between Royalist and Republican paramilitary forces but a period of peace is now being enjoyed in the area largely in part to the Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement) that was signed in 1998. Major redevelopments are now being undertaken not only in Belfast but also in the whole of Northern Ireland, which makes it more and more attractive to businessmen and investors.

Belfast enjoys a storied history. The site surrounding the city has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. In the 17th century in became a settlement populated by English and Scottish settlers during the Ulster Plantation.

Population
• 277,391 in the Belfast Urban Area
• 579,276 in the Belfast Metropolitan Area

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• The largest immigrant group in Belfast are the Chinese and Irish travellers
• Recently a large number of Eastern European immigrants have begun to relocate in the city
• The total ethnic minority population in Belfast is 4584 or 1.3 per cent of the population
• Over 5000 Muslims and 3000 Hindus live near Belfast and the surrounding areas of Northern Ireland.

Unemployment/employment rate
• The unemployment rate in Belfast stands at 4.2 per cent
• The unemployment rate in Belfast is lower compared to the rest of Northern Ireland
• The unemployment rate is also lower than the average unemployment rate in the United Kingdom, which stands at 5.4 per cent.

Average income/salary
• About half of the population have an average income of less than £300 per week

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Belfast is located in the eastern coast of Northern Ireland. It is situated near the head of the River Lagan estuary, more commonly known as the Belfast Lough.

Transport options to and within
• Travel by car is quite easy because of the extensive road networks, which include the ten lane M2 motorway
• There are bus services that operate in the city proper as well as the suburbs
Belfast is, by European standards, a relatively car-dependent city, with an extensive road network including the ten lane M2 motorway.
• Ubiquitous black taxis can be easily hailed in the city. There are areas where taxis operate on a share basis
• Northern Ireland Railways operate three lines that cross Belfast.
• It was recently announced that a study is being undertaken to implement plans to build a light rail system in Belfast that may be similar to the tram system built in Dublin.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• Belfast International Airport
• George Best Belfast City Airport

Dominating sectors / industries
• Belfast used to be the industrial capital of Europe. It had strong industries involving shipbuilding, ropemaking, linen, tobacco, whiskey distilleries and aircraft

Large companies that have headquarters or major branches in the location
• Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• Belfast Central Business District

Major business related events
• Management Skills Programme

Other important events
• Belfast recently won the bid to host the World Police and Fire Games for 2013

3 best things about the location
• The city of Belfast is in the midst of regeneration
• It is a great time to invest in a city whose economic performance is consistently improving
• It is very accessible not only to UK residents but to people from Europe and other continents as well

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