From spinning mill to social enterprise

Built in the early twentieth century as a major linen spinning mill, this landmark has continually adapted to changes in industry and the city around it. Portview was established in 1984 to bring the former mill back into productive use. Today, the site supports independent businesses, learning, culture and events while planning for the restoration and reuse of the spaces that remain vacant.

How it began

Origin

The Belfast Development Agency explored sites across the city with the potential to bring former industrial buildings back into productive use. With the support of a government grant, it purchased the former Strand Spinning Mill and converted several floors into workshop and studio space.

The site was used primarily for industrial purposes until the early 2000s. Today, it supports a varied community of creative and independent businesses.

Explore our history
image of the trade centre

Portview Today

Today, Portview operates as a social enterprise, responding to the need for affordable business space and supporting a more resilient local economy. As a non-profit, it reinvests its income in maintaining and restoring the buildings and developing the site for future opportunities.

In 2017, share ownership of the Belfast Development Agency (BDA) was gifted to the Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre (BURC), a Belfast charity focused on training and employment, to ensure BDA’s principles of economic betterment, regeneration and employment opportunities continue to be upheld. BURC is now Portview’s parent organisation and owns the property, while BDA manages and maintains it.

The Team

Portview's staff manage the centre day to day, supported by a Board of Directors who bring experience from business, regeneration and the local community.

Meet the team

Continue the story

Explore Portview

Go deeper into the Mill’s history, Portview’s social impact and the people behind the organisation.