To think Belfast is a dirty, stinking hole?

[TripleSeptic]

We were in Belfast yesterday.

Not for PRIDE, but we couldn't get back out because of the roads closed for the parade, so ended up staying much longer than expected.

I'm not local, but used to work in the city centre approx 10 years ago. It was buzzing constantly, dirty from smoggy buses, but good mix of shops, bars, places to eat etc. Not metropolitan, just respectably busy.

Yesterday, everything smelled like piss. The Deers Head has been bastardised with black gloss paint. Royal Avenue looks like something out of The Walking Dead, no Nationwide, Premier People, Argos, Subway, Alliance and Leicester, ALL gone. North Street actually looked more attractive than Royal Avenue!!

But oh my god, the smell of piss!! Everywhere!!

If we were showcasing our country yesterday for Belfast Pride, shouldn't someone have run round with a duster and Hoover first?

Is this a Stormont thing, or is it because everyone shops online? Is it because of the Primark fire, or did someone use Royal Ave for nuclear weapon testing? Pretend you're explaining to someone from outer space!! WTAF happened the town? How can we fix it?

When I think of all the cruise ships stopping here, and its revolting!! Its an embarrassment!! At the very least yesterday, the parade should have bypassed Royal Ave. I know the NI folk love a "traditional route", but you don't bring visitors into your house and give them tea in the bathroom, you usher them into the good room and shut the door an the messy ones!!

I don't know when the stench of piss will leave my nose, and my heart broke for the Writer's Square, weeds growing through it, no longer a sanctuary or an inspiration, just another grimy, neglected, waste.

Disclaimer, I know there are nice bits, but there is no point in making nice bits if you let the bits that WERE nice, turn into shitheaps. There are more shitheaps than before now.

I lived there briefly around the same time and liked it. This is sad to read.

Visited 20 years ago, and did not enjoy it.

I think that end of town has fallen to pieces, it's a mess. The whole city centre has shifted a few hundred metres further up in the past 15 years. But maybe the new university accommodation up that direction will help?

There is a massive project underway to sort out the water and sewage in Belfast because it's stretched to capacity, but it's going to take years.

As long as the cruise ships stick to the Waterfront and the city hall they'll be fine. As a whole, it's certainly a lot better than 20 years ago!

Visited 20 years ago, and did not enjoy it.

Belfast today is completely transformed though. That's a bit like visiting London just after the blitz and thinking it was a bit run down.

No Argos? Crikey, that's terrible.

OK though, stinking of piss does sound bad, I agree.

I was in Belfast for Pride and it was fabulous.

I visited 10 years ago. During the day I really liked it, and it was great fun at night. But, we got up early on the Sunday to have breakfast and I have never seen so much vomit in the streets. I'm from a large norther city and I'm used to the city's hangover after a night out, but this was ridiculous. I have never ever seen so much sick in my life.

We were there last year and absolutely loved it. One of the best weekends I have had l.

Hm well I'm going for a two night break later this month, hoping it's not as bad as you describe

Belfast is a lovely city and changed so much in last few decades. Maybe just not looking it’s best after Pride? I think that about big parks in london when there have been events there the day before 🤷‍♀️

I was in NI last year and the city centre is dire. Ormeau Road was a much nicer 'front room' IMO. NI as a place in general was fab though.

That’s harsh. There are definitely nice bits.

It’s a natural cycle. Some districts fall into disrepair, others are regenerated. That’s how it goes.

Hm well I'm going for a two night break later this month, hoping it's not as bad as you describe

Honestly, it's not. That area is very run down but it's not an area you're likely to be in as a tourist, so don't be put off.

I think you’re being quite harsh, a lot of MN live there and probs won’t appreciate you referring to their home as a dirty stinking hole.

Imnottoofussed, it’s a great city, don’t be put off by this! I go there regularly to visit family and there are great restaurants (which are probably half or less of london prices with amazing local produce), shops, culture and of course history. And people are very friendly.

This is a weirdly niche thing to start an AIBU about.

Of course there are nice bits, they've done great work in the Titanic quarter, I'm just so sad about the state of Royal Avenue, that was the shopping street, the hustle and bustle, the place where you got off the bus and started your day. If it hadn't been for the parade yesterday, there's have been nothing but soot, piss and tumbleweed. Even the pigeons have cleared out!!

imnottoofussed it 's a great place, just don't have high hopes for the city centre. Be sure to check out Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum. Botanic Avenue is also nice for a wander.

I had a great few days there earlier this year. I suppose I did the touristy things and I did get out to the beautiful Antrim coast too, but I really enjoyed it.

What, are you serious?! No it isn’t. I live in Belfast and don’t recognise it from your description! Yes, there are a lot of shops/businesses closed down, an unfortunate cocktail of recession/decline of the high street/Primark fire. But I’m really shocked at you calling it dirty and smelling of urine - I work in the city centre and this simply isn’t the case.

Where you visiting as a tourist? Odd for a visitor to a city caring so much about branches of Nationwide or Alliance & Leicester.....

@TripleSeptic they are regenerating that entire area and planning on renaming it Tribeca. There was a whole petition by folks in the Cathedral Quarter, developers are basically wanting to run the area down so they can come in and 'save' it.
The recent fire at Primark didn't help matters, they had to shut Royal Avenue to traffic, it's only just reopened in the last few months. Some businesses have had to close which is such a shame.
But it's recovering the way I think only Belfast can do best. Around Kelly's cellars is becoming a new hotspot, and fountain Street has seen a big change.

The people, and the craic are still the same. This city centre has just shifted a bit.

Bit harsh to call it a shit hole

We're going tomorrow with our teenagers for our annual family holiday. We're staying just off Ormeau Avenue. We're planning to do some GoT stuff (touring exhibition, stained glass windows, coach tour of locations) and some more general sightseeing (Ulster Museum & Botanic Gardens, bus tour, Titanic Museum).

I was looking forward to it, but this thread has slightly diminished the excitement.

Are you for real, OP? A dirty hole?

As someone said upthread, the city centre has moved up a few hundred yards down the road with the Victoria Centre and cathedral quarter.

Honestly that’s like me pissing on Dublin because the top end of O’Connell Street has seen better days.

I only went 2 years ago and loved it!

I was looking forward to it, but this thread has slightly diminished the excitement.

Please don't let this thread put you off. It's only one small part of the city and you're unlikely to be in that area anywhere since there's not much of interest. There are so many lovely parts and great restaurants etc I'm almost certain you'll find something that you like.