'A lovely oasis in the centre of the city'

It's a place in the middle of the city where you can dance, sing, play, watch live music, borrow books or sit in the warmth and eat your packed lunch - all for free.

Number 2 Royal Avenue opened to the public three years ago this month after Belfast City Council bought the listed building in late 2021.

Since then it has grown in popularity with people from all backgrounds, catering for everyone from toddlers, to teenagers to line-dancing pensioners.

"It's just a really lovely oasis in the centre of the city. It has a really lovely community vibe, very relaxed," mother-of-two Judith Crozier told BBC News NI.

Ms Crozier prefers the space to normal cafe environments where she feels children have to "sit still".

"I have a four-year-old and a two-year-old and they can stretch their legs," she explained.

"People are friendly and welcoming, so it's a real no stress spot for kids."

As well as a small library, the building has a play area for toddlers and hosts regular family-friendly activities.

There is no entry fee and many events are free of charge.

George McCann and Violet Hanna are among many pensioners who live alone and come to the hub each week to meet old friends and make new ones.

"We have a cup of tea and a bun and talk...we have tea dances every now and again, which is always pretty busy – bunged - we always get a massive crowd," George said.

"I would say there's five to six women to every man, but the women get up and they do line dancing and stuff."

Seventy-seven-year-old Violet, who has been widowed for 14 years, catches the bus in from Ballysillan to go.

"It's a bit of company for me," she explains.

"You would miss it if it wasn't here. It's a comfort.

"The craic is good. You're meeting all different people."

The building, constructed in the 1860s, operated as a bank for over a century until it was turned into a supermarket in the 1990s.

When Tesco relocated in 2021, the council opened 2 Royal Avenue as a community and cultural hub while deciding its long-term future.

The vision was to create "a warm, indoor public park" where people of all ages and abilities could socialise, perform, work and relax.

"No two days in 2 Royal Ave are the same and that's what makes it really special," said Sarah-Jane Montgomery, its joint managing director.

Ryan Longridge and Sarah-Jane Cooper, formed a jazz duo after first meeting at hub's communal grand piano.

"I heard Sarah-Jane singing in here and we thought we would start playing together," Ryan said.

"This place lends itself to be a beautiful convergence point for people to share their gift and share music.

"It's a connection of different classes and cultures."

The venue recorded its highest regular footfall and most engagement with community groups and charities in 2024.

The Alive Community Choir, are staging a cancer fundraiser called 'Jingle Jam' in the building in December.

"We currently have 48 members from all over the place and it's called the 'Alive' because you only have to be breathing to be in," joked its founder, Sharon Cauldwell.

"The staff have been absolutely phenomenal in that they allow us to set up however we want."

According to Maywe Events, over 40% of the venue's users identified as a member of a minority community - those with disabilities, from the LGBTQIA+ community or an ethnic minority background.

Asylum seekers can also receive advice and assistance.

Sarah-Jane believes there's wide appeal because communities "feel welcomed without any judgment".

"It's really important for us that it remains a totally neutral venue," adding staff were "specifically trained in helping and welcoming vulnerable people".

"I come out here to get company, to meet people. It gives me something to do, to come out of the house," said Malcolm McCormick, a disabled man who lives with his carer.

"There's a good range of activities.

"There's pool tables and line dancing and there's groups of music playing once a month."

The venue is also dog-friendly so Malcolm's pup Chelsea can join him.

The building also nurtures new careers.

Olly Armstrong, a 19-year-old student, helped organise a book swap in the space as part of his events management training course.

"I'm a massive reader so the library was great for me when I discovered that," he said.

The teenager added he would rather see the building remain as a community facility than revert to a commercial property.

2 Royal Avenue is funded by Belfast ratepayers, so there have been discussions on its future.

Belfast City Council told BBC News NI that earlier this year it undertook an expression of interest exercise for "a longer-term, sustainable use".

"The exercise welcomed proposals from a wide range of cultural, community, social, retail, hospitality and leisure users, or a mix of such uses," the council said.

Sarah-Jane suggested incorporating additions like independent shops could "add to the city centre" whilst still "delivering social value and be completely focused on community and culture".