A derelict Court House in Co Down has been transformed into an arts hub after seven years of hard work and at a cost of £1.7m.
A small, local, independent charity has been behind the work to revamp the old Court House in Bangor into a permanent venue in the seaside city.
The iconic listed building has been empty for almost a decade after its decommissioning by the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service in March 2013.
Read more: Work progressing on long-awaited facelift to Bangor’s Ward Park
The Quay Street building was slowly falling into disrepair until organisers of Open House Festival stepped in to transform it into a thriving arts and entertainment hub, which will soon be home to the festival and offer events all year round.
Built in 1866 as a branch of the then Belfast Bank, the Court House became Bangor’s magistrates court in the 1950s. It is one of the few remaining Victorian structures on Bangor seafront.
When the building was originally built as a bank, only part was used for banking and the rest was the home of the bank manager.
It was then converted into a Court House and featured four cells.
At the helm of the new venue will be Rachael Campbell-Palmer, formerly of the Black Box in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, who is joining the Open House team as the Director of The Court House.
The new unique venue to entertain, challenge and embrace local audiences is set to open its doors in October.
The Court House will open its doors in October and looks set to be a fantastic new home for live music and the arts.
Last month, it was announced that Snow Patrol will play a special acoustic concert in Bangor to celebrate Gary Lightbody being awarded the freedom of the borough.
The seafront gig on Wednesday August 31, will be part of the Open House Festival with profits to go towards the re-development of the old Bangor Court House into the new non-profit music venue.
Lightbody will receive the honour from Ards and North Down Borough Council at a civic ceremony at Bangor Castle the previous following day.
Kieran Gilmore, Director of Open House said a nnouncing the first phase of events to be held in the Court House has been quite a landmark moment.
"It has been a long journey to get to this point, and we’re just so excited that the doors of this beautiful building will finally be opening on 20 th October. We’d like to thank everyone for their support over the past seven years: from all of the funders involved in financing the project, including Heritage Lottery Fund, Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
"Also to every single person and local business who made a personal donation, to the Department of Justice for entrusting us with the building, to the architects, builders and everyone who has worked on the extensive refurbishment project, to Gary Lightbody and Snow Patrol for donating all profits from their forthcoming concert on Bangor seafront to the ongoing redevelopment of the building.
"Public support for the project has been phenomenal, and while the list is too long to mention everyone in person here, we are extremely grateful to everyone."
He added: "We’re also delighted that Rachael Campbell-Palmer will be joining our team as the Director of The Court House. Rachael will be already be known to many people for her leadership of the Black Box in the Cathedral Quarter Belfast, one of Ireland’s most progressive music and arts venues.
"She brings a wealth of experience and an unparalleled reputation for passion and professionalism. We know Rachael will help create a unique venue that will entertain, challenge and embrace local audiences. Give her a warm welcome Bangor. We can’t wait to work with her, and we can’t wait to open the doors. See you in October."
The Court House's initial programme announcement includes music and film events throughout the winter months, with the vert first event taking place on Thursday 20th October and featuring The Florentinas and Lemonade Shoelace. That will be followed by other performances from Luka Bloom, Camille O’Sullivan, Scullion and Crazy P along with regular cult film screenings.
Details of more events will be made available in the coming weeks.
More information is available here.
READ NEXT:
Snow Patrol to play Bangor concert to celebrate Gary Lightbody award
Bangor Aurora Leisure Centre's Leisure Waters to reopen after storm damage
Further delays on regeneration makes council look like "a joke", alderman says
Queen’s Parade: Council approves plans for Bangor's long awaited £50million revamp
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
