Belfast is Streets Ahead!

Thursday, 09 June 2011 10:20

LisburnRoad-google By Andrea McVeigh.

Two Belfast streets have been named the best in the UK - even though it's a case of Hill Street blues for one of them.

South Belfast's Lisburn Road has been named as one of Britain's Best Shopping Streets in the Google Street View Awards.

While Hill Street, in Belfast's trendy Cathedral Quarter, has been voted one of the top 5 Hippest Streets in the UK.

The only problem is that on Google Maps, online and throughout the competition, Google has billed the hip hangout, which runs from the Merchant hotel, past the Black Box and Nick's Warehouse, towards the back of St Anne's Cathedral, as Henry Street.

There is a Henry Street in Belfast, but it's in the north of the city.

Whatever it's called, it's a great showing for Belfast and official recognition that we have some of the best locations in the UK.

The Lisburn Road came fourth in the list of top five Best Shopping Streets.

"We've got great shoe shops, boutiques, beauticians, opticians, fab art galleries and fantastic foodie outlets, such as Arcadia deli, as well as award-winning hairdressers," says Lisburn Road proprietor, Eavan Kennedy of EK Eyewear.

"Retailers here have researched a lot of brands, and were often the first to bring them to Northern Ireland. The Lisburn Road offers a unique shopping experience, provided by mostly independent businesses, in a niche market."

Elsie McLoughlin, Ely Marketing for the Lisburn Road said: "We're thrilled with this people's choice accolade. The Lisburn Road offers a unique shopping destination experience and Lisburn Road traders work hard to keep their businesses vibrant so this is a timely pat on the back sending a lovely message that their efforts mean a lot. We should all be very proud that we've one of the best shopping streets in the UK on our doorstep and make sure we get out and enjoy the little treasure that it is!"

More than 20,000 members of the public voted in the awards, and the finalists were chosen by a panel of experts that included TV presenter Dawn Porter and Vogue Fashion Editor, Miranda Almond.

But local lovers lost out on the third and final category, Most Romantic Street, when nominees Whitepark Road in Ballycastle and Main Street, Crawfordsburn, failed to make it into the top five.

"The Google Street View Awards celebrate the many fantastic streets that Britain has to offer," says Google's Laura Scott. "The results reveal a diverse cultural landscape; from romantic hot spots to hip destinations and shopping locations, these are now firmly on the map."

GOOGLE STREET VIEW AWARDS: THE FINALISTS

Hippest

South Shore Road, Gateshead

Call Lane, Leeds

Whitecross Street, London

Seel Street, Liverpool

Henry Street (Hill Street), Belfast

Best shopping

Bondgate Within, Alnwick

Market Place, Kingston

Low Pavement, Nottingham

Lisburn Road, Belfast