Popular Food Retailer Launches New Local Store

Popular food retailer Greggs is set to open a new outlet on Saturday, March 29th, at the corner of Frederick Street and York Street. The new store will provide takeaway & sitin food options for the local community, workers, students and visitors in the area. Yum!!

Student Accommodation Opens Nearly a Third of Rooms for Short-Term Lets Amid High Vacancies.

Local media have reported that the student accommodation block 'The Edge' on York Street is converting nearly a third of its rooms into short-term lets due to an "abnormally high" number of vacancies this academic year. The building is a 307-room luxury complex beside Ulster University, was completed last September after delays but struggled to attract enough student tenants. London-based developer 48-52 York Street Operating LLP secured temporary approval to repurpose 92 rooms across three floors for short-term stays until August. 

A representative cited missed pre-term marketing opportunities and noted that similar student accommodations often use vacant rooms for corporate or tourist lets. While Belfast City Council unanimously approved the change, Green Party councillor Áine Groogan raised concerns about students expecting an exclusively student-only residence. The applicant assured that an appropriate management plan is in place to minimise interactions between students and short-term guests.

The Edge’s General Manager, Carol-Ann Doyle, has addressed concerns regarding temporary rental arrangements for non-students within the accommodation by stating the following: "Regarding the article in the Irish News, The Edge had planning approval granted to 90 rooms within the building for non-students to rent until September 2025. It is temporary. They will be completely segregated from the students, with no access to communal areas except the main entrance, bin store and laundry room. I’d like to reassure you that we are mainly targeting corporates and longer-term stays, for example we will be renting to nurses and lecturers, for conferences throughout the summer. Our focus will always be the students, it will be carefully managed".