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You might have noticed a few beautiful buildings going missing, last seen in the centre of Belfast.

No point looking for them or putting posters on lampposts asking for their return, as they are now gone forever.

I mean really beautiful buildings, built by working hands and elegant vision, reduced to rubble in the name of “progress”.

The next area destined for this “redevelopment” is in and around the Cathedral Quarter . I mean, why not?

“Progress” never considers the small business, does it? After the fire that gutted Donegal Street Arcade and displaced the traders therein, there are just small businesses left in the surrounding area of the once beautiful arcade that is home now to charcoaled, skeletal units and triffid-high foliage reclaiming the well trod tiles and walls.

That it has been left like this is far from “progress”.

What has been proposed now is to flatten roughly 12 acres of land to erect, amongst other things, a 26-storey tower block with retail units.

Do we really need another shopping centre? CastleCourt was the welcome new kid in town because the city centre had nothing similar previously (The historic and architecturally magnificent old Post Office building made way for it... as did the lovely Avenue Cinema).

Then came Victoria Square. Since the latter opened, CastleCourt has been hit. This town ain’t big enough for the both of them.

Same with office space. There are plenty of empty office blocks already, and should anyone wish to move into new units, they will be leaving other units empty behind them.

And let me ask you, no, sorry I’ll tell you. The last thing we need is another chain coffee shop, or large slinger of sausage rolls or, sweet baby Jesus, another burrito chain.

This is Belfast. We are more Best than Beckham. The Black Stuff over Earl Gray. We are unconventional, wild, warm and beautiful hallions.

And we know when we’re being conned.

Voice your objection via www.savecq.wordpress.com.