No iceberg in sight for Belfast’s Titanic Signature Project.

On 18^th October, news was received that Belfast’s bid, for £25 million from the Big Lottery Fund for a Titanic Signature Project, had missed out on the final shortlist. The £90 million project had already been promised the rest of the funding from local Government, Titanic Quarter Ltd and Belfast Harbour Commissioners. Brian Ambrose, Chairman of the Titanic Foundation, was disappointed but remained optimistic for the future “The project is at an advanced stage of development and has secured huge commitment from Government, the private sector and the community – there are simply new challenges to face”. He went on to say that public support for the project, over recent months, had given him the determination to deliver. “We will simply regroup and redouble our efforts and find a way to deliver this exciting project in time for the 2012 centenary”

Tourism Minister Nigel Dodds expressed his faith in the project and “would now consider the implications of the Lottery decision ….which will include exploring the scope for bringing other funding sources into play.”

Mike Smith, chief executive of Titanic Quarter Ltd said he was disappointed but that this “...is not the end of the road. Titanic Quarter and its co-promoter Belfast Harbour Commissioners will be talking to Government about how we can progress matters in the absence of funds from the Big Lottery. Belfast has a fantastic maritime heritage – it’s a story which we believe has international appeal and which is worth telling”

A great deal of hard work went into preparing the bid and this should be recognised and acted upon. It is a project which will not only attract visitors from around the world but will inform, educate and entertain nearer home. It is uplifting to hear the main bodies involved being so optimistic for the future. I think we should applaud those involved for all their efforts and encourage and support them in their endeavours to secure the shortfall in funding. There should be news in the next few months. There is still a deadline to meet.