Belfast Twelfth parade to take a detour around Bank Buildings cordon

of Orange Order members will be rerouted during this year’s Twelfth of July parade in Belfast due to restrictions caused by the Primark fire, it has emerged.

The County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast made the decision following discussions with Belfast City Centre Management, the PSNI and other bodies, and members are understood to be content with the new arrangements.

Primark’s historic Bank Buildings store at Castle Junction — which has been in the heart of Belfast since 1787 — was gutted by a major blaze almost eight months ago, when more than 100 firefighters were called upon to battle the fire for over six hours.

The inferno, which burned for three days, was a major blow to the city centre, badly hitting businesses, and it was described as the biggest crisis the city has faced since the Troubles.

A number of retailers who were forced to close have since reopened and a partially covered walkway has helped bring shoppers back.

The cause of the August 28 fire, which ripped through the five-storey outlet, has yet to be made public and the investigation is ongoing.

In terms of shifting the safety cordon, the next milestone will be the end of this month when the footpath from the corner of Zara on Donegall Place to the corner of Fountain Street, where City Picnic is, will reopen.

Redevelopment work is currently ongoing at the site, which has placed restrictions on pedestrians — meaning a change of plans to this year’s Twelfth parade.

Rather than walking the traditional route along Royal Avenue, Orange lodges and bands will proceed from Clifton Street, along Donegall Street, Waring Street, Bridge Street, High Street, Victoria Street and Chichester Street to Belfast City Hall.

Following the annual Act of Remembrance, the large parade will then follow its familiar route to the field at Barnett’s Demesne.

A spokesman said the alternative route will be for one year only.

“We are advertising this amended 2019 route early so our faithful supporters who line Royal Avenue and Donegall Place can plan an alternative viewing spot to enjoy the parade,” he said.

“This change is made due to the extraordinary circumstancTHOUSANDS es brought about by the Primark fire and we look forward to returning to our traditional Royal Avenue route in 2020.”

As part of the new arrangements, West Belfast No 9 District and Ballynafeigh No 10 District will join the parade at the junction of Royal Avenue/Donegall Street. Ballymacarrett No 6 District will join the main procession at the junction of Ann Street/Victoria Street.

Another change has been made to the homeward parade, which will travel along Great Victoria Street, Wellington Place, and through the city centre, following the same earlier route back towards Clifton Street.

The change has been made to address crowd congestion at Sandy Row and Shaftesbury Square.

This change will be kept under review.