The Ulster University Campus in Belfast and its implications for the city
ulster.ac.uk Campus infrastructure Belfast campus
• Expanding the heart of the city
• Vibrant Cathedral Quarter
• £250m Project
• 75,000sqm campus
• 15,000 students and staff
• School of Design - 160 years old
• Open to innovation & collaboration About Ulster Belfast Campus
Level 00 Level 01 Level 02 Level 03 Level 04 Level 05 Level 06 Level 07 Level 08 Level 09 Level 10 Level 11
Current Context Socio Economic Characteristics
Higher Education Enrolments in North Belfast as % of adults
• 3.6% of North Belfast residents are enrolled in Higher Education • This is lower than anywhere else in Northern Ireland
• Will the presence of a University and greater FE provision (e.g Girdwood) lead to greater access? Current Context Socio Economic Characteristics
A Service based economy Relatively high unemployment rates 3% 2% 4%
Construction Manufacturing Services Other
91%
Source: NINIS
• 45,000 employee jobs in North Belfast – 6.5% of NI total • 9 out of 10 jobs in the service sector • Unemployment rate close to 10% - 3rd highest unemployment rate in NI • Close to 40% economic inactivity Current Context Socio Economic Characteristics Significant centre of city employment • 33,000 (15%) of Belfast’s jobs are within half a mile of the campus • 4 out of every 10 Belfast jobs are within one mile of the campus • 6 out of every 10 Belfast jobs are within 2 miles of the campus. • Professional services, finance and retail account for the vast bulk of these jobs
Source: Belfast City Council, Webb Advisory Transformational Opportunities An exciting time for North Belfast Transformational Opportunities A Very Different Future North Belfast
A cluster of planning applications around the new campus – e.g. hotels, retail, offices, serviced accommodation
Estimates of c.5000 jobs in addition to the University…
Source: Future Belfast Transformational Opportunities A Very Different Future North Belfast Est. Potential Est. Potential Jobs Jobs Victoria Street Hotel 100 Wellwood Street student beds 5 Northside Regeneration Mixed Use 1500 student beds 5 City Quays 1 office 1000 retail 14 48-52 York Street office 1500 retail 14 City Quays 2 retail 78 retail 14 City Quays Hotel Hotel 225 student beds 5 Tomb Street Hotel Hotel 313 81-107 York Street retail 11 1a College Sq East student beds 5 retail 18 coffee shop 11 student beds 5 123-137 York Street 26-36 Clifton Street shop 14 retail 21 Mark Royal House student beds 5 apartments 5 Olympic tower student beds 5 commercial 51 28 Great Patrick street retail 23 Estimated Total Job Potential 5,002 coffee shop 16 26-44 Little Patrick street student beds 5 apartments 5 37-41 Little Patrick Street retail 27 118 Royal Avenue student beds 5
Source: Future Belfast with Webb Advisory estimates UU Belfast: Catalyst for Change Projected Benefits – Construction phase
• An investment of over £250 million • Over 15,000 students and staff • 3,784 job years in the construction phase (about 1,000 jobs)
Total Capital Expenditure £254m GVA Impact - Direct £80m - Indirect £80m Total GVA Impact £160m Employment Impact (job years) - Direct 1,892 - Indirect 1,892 Total Employment Impact 3,784 Source: Ulster University EPC UU Belfast: Catalyst for Change Projected Benefits – Operational Phase
Campus Employment Levels (FTEs) and • Ulster University is one of Salaries paid Northern Ireland’s largest Employees employers 2018/19 estimate • 1,310 employees will be on Belfast Single Belfast campus 1,310 site Average Salary (Gross) £45,634 • Scheduling for the re-procurement Estimated salaries £59.8m of outsourced service contracts GVA Impact (Direct) £63.1m are timed to coincide with the GVA Impact (Induced) £21.4m move to the new campus. Source: Ulster University EPC • The university are exploring ways in which social clauses can be Annual purchases of goods and services incorporated into the new £’000 procurement contracts – contracts that will support c.500 jobs per Purchases 54,352 annum. GVA Impact 16,920 Jobs Impact 497 Source: UU Financial Statements, EPC UU Belfast: Catalyst for Change Projected Benefits – Student Experience Students can enrich an area in many ways… • Cultural • Enhances reputation of city/town as vibrant, An outdated stereotype… dynamic location and as an attractive destination • Physical • The existence of large numbers of young people help to make city centres attractive to social and retail spaces • Economic • Student presence can help stimulate urban regeneration • Student presence ensures the viability of some retail businesses • Social • Student volunteering makes an important contribution to many aspects of social life UU Belfast: Catalyst for Change Projected Benefits – Student Expenditure
• The most immediate/wider Photocopying/Library Sport 2% 0%9% Groceries opportunity comes from 15% 0% c.12,000 students spending Music/Film/Gaming in the area 3% Gym 2% Eating Out • Estimates of >500 jobs Books & Course 12% supported as close to 4% Other £100m annual spending 5%
from students Phone Bill 6% Alcohol • 12% Biggest Opportunities in Weekly Travel groceries, leisure and 12% Going out clothing Clothing 9% 9%
Opportunities for new business starts/social enterprise? How?