Linen Quarter BID Events Programme 2020

Welcome to the new home for hospitality

@linenquarter #LinenLive

Jan / Feb Programme Launch

23 Jan 5.30pm Zen Restaurant Join us at this free event to celebrate the Chinese New Year and toast the diverse, inclusive, and outward focused nature of our district.

Innovation and Creativity Workshop

The Linen Quarter is rapidly emerging as a dynamic new destination for Belfast and, thanks to the support of our members, LQ BID is going to deliver its most exciting programme yet for 2020.

4 Feb 9.30am - 13.30pm Maldron Hotel In association with the DoF Innovation Lab with guest speaker from Google Digital Garage. This event is exclusively for Linen Quarter organisations to support business growth & development.

‘Sustainable Belfast – creating a city of grace’ Four Corners Festival 4 Feb 7.30pm Europa Hotel Speaker panel to debate the intersection of faith, ecology, economics and the built environment. Free event with light refreshments.

International Festival of Chamber Music,

On 28 February, at the request of our members, we’re launching “Friday Skive” our new monthly networking drinks. On the last Friday of each month we will partner up with a local organisation to profile what they do, and how we can build better connections across the District.

We’re delighted that McCadden will be joining us on the 28th to highlight their creative work, including the development of the Belfast Brand. However, for the most part “Friday Skive” is just a chance to meet your neighbours and enjoy an informal drink. There is no need to book – just turn up at 4pm on the last Friday of the month.

Please check our website for venue details.

Launch event 20 Feb 6.30pm Europa Hotel Exclusive drinks reception, with recital from world class harpist Grainne Meyer.

March / april

July / August

Imagine Festival of Politics and Ideas

The summer months bring the return of our popular Street Ambassadors (through to 19 Sept). They will be busy promoting the Linen Quarter, supporting visitors and tourists, and delivering family fun sessions across the district.

24 - 27 March Four thought provoking events funded by LQ BID; House of Commons lunchtime seminar Tues 12 - 2pm Clayton Hotel Future Politics hosted by Slugger O’Toole Wed 6 - 8pm Pug Uglys Upstairs Lounge Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas presents ‘Who Owns History’ Thurs 7 - 8pm Pug Uglys Upstairs Lounge Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas presents ‘Fake News Kills World’ and ‘Creative People Need Data’ Fri 6 - 8pm Pug Uglys Upstairs Lounge

Ciclovia Cycling Festival

Sun 29 March The streets between City Hall and Botanic will be shut to deliver a morning of safe and enjoyable cycling with loads of supporting activities and family fun. Jointly funded by Belfast City Council, Public Health Agency, and LQ BID.

LQ Health Week

29 March - 3 April This free programme includes physical and mental health checks, free physio, well-being events and activities, fitness promotions and health related talks.

Formal award of Belfast’s Purple Flag, 28 April

a national accreditation that recognises a well-run night time economy. The 12 month application process was funded by the three Belfast BIDs. The BIDs are also funding “Alive after Five” throughout March and April to help promote our evening attractions to a wider audience.

August launches a series of vibrant events across the Linen Quarter as part of the 3-month Linen Biennale.

Sept - Nov May / june ‘Get Creative’

Sat 16 May Clayton Hotel.

A day of creative, family focused activities including musical theatre and acting workshops led by the outstanding team at the Grand Opera House.

We’ll be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Belfast Book Festival (date tbc) and hosting a dozen acts for the Blues Festival, 26 - 28 June, various venues.

Culture Night

Fri 18 Sept 5 - 11pm various venues 10 x 10 musical extravaganza across the Linen Quarter.

From mid-Sept to mid-Nov LQ will be hosting delicious food events for ‘Taste the Island’; whilst the run-up to Christmas brings eclectic events with Design Week and Entrepreneur Week.

Flax Foodie Festival,

20 - 21 June, in association with Power NI. Hosted in a glass roofed marquee in the centre of Bedford Street the Festival includes a food market and family fun on Sat afternoon, fine dining at the superlative Linen Table on Sat night, and two sessions of bottomless prosecco brunch on Sunday. The Festival will be a vibrant and unique celebration of the District, with a specific focus on local food and local chefs. If you would like to buy tickets for staff, clients or colleagues, please get in touch and we would be happy to help.

We hope to see you at some of these exciting events and, with your support, we can help make the Linen Quarter the home of hospitality and the best place to do business in Belfast.

LQ BID Member Services and Key Contacts Leeza | 028 9091 2997 leeza@linenquarter.org Chris | 078 5539 2511 Chris@linenquarter.org Charlotte | 028 9091 2992 charlotte@linenquarter.org.

Christiaan | 028 9091 2998 christiaan@linenquarter.org Annual General Meeting Held every April the AGM provides a detailed update on the work of the BID over the last 12 months, followed by networking drinks.

For an invite please join our e-newsletter linenquarter.org/ news-events/newsletter Business Seminars Throughout the year LQ BID will also be hosting seminars or conferences on innovation, the circular economy, sustainability and technology. We will launch a series of subsidised business courses, including BS8555 environmental accreditation and Institute of Leadership and Management. Need more info?

Contact Leeza.

Board of Directors LQ BID is run by local organisations on behalf of the whole district. If you would like to find out more about the Board, including applications to join, please contact Chris.

Community Safety Forum The quarterly Community Safety Forum helps local organisations discuss crime and anti-social behaviour directly with the police.

If you have community safety concerns or want to attend the Forum please contact Christiaan.

Clean Team LQ Clean Team work in the area four days per week, providing enhanced litter picking, street washing and graffiti removal.

If you have any requests speak to Charlotte.

Policy LQ BID helps represent the area on behalf of our members.

Contact Chris if you would like to discuss government policy, service provision, consultations or initiatives.

Events & Communications Does your business have an event happening, or is there something you wish to publicise to neighbouring businesses in LQ? Leeza can help promote your content through our company newsletter, website and social media platforms.

Regeneration The Linen Quarter regeneration vision aims to transform the Linen Quarter into a sustainable and healthy urban district. For enquiries around regeneration initiatives, or to raise any local requests, please contact Christiaan.

Finance For invoices and other finance related queries, or if your organisation plans to move into or out of the Linen Quarter, please contact Charlotte.

Friday Skive Networking drinks on the last Friday of the month from 4pm.

Check the LQ Website for venue details.

Healthy District To encourage a safe, clean, healthy and productive business area we’ll be running three health weeks a year in April, June and September.

To get involved contact Christiaan.

Hospitality Group The quarterly Hospitality & Events Group is open to any café, bar, restaurant and hotel to help shape events and discuss collective marketing. Contact Leeza to attend.

Pest control To facilitate a cleaner, healthier area LQ BID aims to launch a limited outdoor pest control service (from May 2020). If you have any queries please e-mail Charlotte.

@linenquarter #LinenLive

Street Ambassadors The Summer Street Ambassadors are here to support local organisations and help promote the district. Any requests? Please contact Leeza when they are in place (June – Sept.)

Street Beat The team is co-funded by the BID and consists of trained PSNI officers dedicated to the Linen Quarter. If you wish to report an issue contact PC Dale Fisher on 078 2563 4384 or in his absence, Christiaan. (In an emergency always ring 999.)

Waste Management In 2018, ISL was appointed as LQ BID’s preferred supplier for waste solutions. ISL is a recycler with a clear vision for zero waste.

Their bespoke service and flexible collection times ensure that businesses can tailor a system that suits their needs, is costeffective and minimises waste.

To arrange an appointment please contact Charlotte.