Titanic Town - The Future

With the regeneration of the Titanic Quarter, complete with a dedicated Titanic visitor attraction, Belfast is once again reclaiming her place as the true home of the Titanic.  Titanic is probably one of the most recognisable names in the world and Northern Ireland stands proud of the innovation and creativity that went into building this famous ship.

   

The Titanic Signature Project is one of five flagship projects identified by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to deliver international standout for Northern Ireland as a tourist destination. 

The Belfast City Council, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Titanic Quarter Limited have embraced the concept and developed visionary plans for the Titanic Signature Project.

The Titanic Signature Project is not only the development of a world class visitor attraction for Belfast, but will also look at the development of the wider site and its heritage assets including – the Thompson Dock & Pump House, the Titanic Slipways, the SS Nomadic, HMS Caroline, Harland and Wolff Head Quarters and Drawing Offices to name but a few.

All work is focused on completion by 2012, the centenary of the Titanic’s voyage.
                                                                                                                

Titanic 2012 Iconic Attraction

The proposed iconic attraction will be located at the head of the Titanic Slipways, where the Titanic and her sister ships were built, and adjacent to the former Harland & Wolff Headquarters and Drawing Offices. 

This Titanic iconic attraction will house:
 
•  The Titanic Experience - a dramatic and interactive exhibition on the Titanic covering its origins, construction, launch and fatal maiden voyage. Among the experiences, visitors to the exhibition will travel over a giant 50-metre model of the Titanic under construction and will also dive to the sea-bed to see the wreck.

•  A Flying Theatre - using the latest technology in simulation and cinematic projection technology, visitors will be ‘flown over’ Belfast and Northern Ireland.

•  A large community arts facility hosting temporary exhibitions, performances and conferences.

•  A Titanic-themed banqueting suite

•  Café, family restaurant and shop.

The Big Lottery Fund – Living Landmarks Programme

The Titanic Signature Project, which aims to establish the Titanic Quarter as a major leisure and tourism destination, received a significant boost on the 8th August 2006 when it was short listed for the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Living Landmarks Programme’.

A development grant of £250,000 was secured and enabled the Titanic Charitable Foundation Ltd to develop the project to an advanced stage. 

The Stage 2 Application was submitted to the Big Lottery Fund on 31st May 2007.

The Titanic Signature Project competed with 22 other contenders throughout the United Kingdom for a grant of between £10m - £25m. Regrettably the Titanic Signature Project missed out on the final shortlist of the Big Lottery Fund.  The project promoters are working together to find a way to progress matters in the abscence of funds from the Big Lottery.