There΅―s Something Rotten΅
- 18 May 07, 10:14 AM
The problem with Belfast΅―s current economic boom is that everything has a price tag. The flood tide of equity has turned rubble into retail units and brown sites into bijou apartments. And the purchase is a certain meanness of the soul.
It happened in London two decades ago and Dublin took the bait shortly afterwards. The result is an urban life that few can afford, and where creativity is priced out. And when you leave the bohemians outside the city walls, you lose an important dialogue with the heart of the place.
Now we hear that The Rotterdam Bar by the docks in Belfast is being passed over to the developers. As many of you know, this is a sweet little bar, a place where songwriters and players have been actively welcomed. Just a few weeks ago I saw Duke Special play here and the place was intensely busy with tourists, regulars and smiling Duke fans. Peter Wilson told us that this was his favourite place in the city and his performance was tailored to the intimacy and the unfussy charm of the venue.
The danger is that we have a booming tourist industry, but nowhere decent to take our new arrivals. The city centre is already an identikit collection of chain stores. We need to celebrate our character, not to raffle it off. And the loss of the Rotterdam will cost more than a cash register could ever calculate.
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Can't believe this about the Rotterdam! Many a good night down there and the old Warehouse. How come Belfast loses everything with any soul? Just watching good old Joe Cocker on Jools! Great Jools still has time for GOOD MUSIC!!Bit like you Stewart. Just heard Ten Wheels for Jesus voted one of the best acts in Cathedal Festival! What a night in the Hewitt. Despite being told off for dancing and spoiling peoples view of the band! What do they expect from
Belfast's Most Notorius Housewife!
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I thought the owners were selling off both Pat's and Dam Bars. And replacing them with new ones. Don't tell me this is more pallaver like the Kitchen. Weeping and wailing then heading off into the sunset with more that the old pile was worth having sold out??
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