Portview joins partners to focus on East Belfast’s economic future

Portview joined EastSide Partnership and East Belfast Enterprise in 2025 to support a new conference focused on the economic future of East Belfast.

The EastSide Economic Regeneration Conference, held under the theme Future East, brought together policymakers, businesses, community organisations, academics and social enterprises to explore sustainable, inclusive and place-based approaches to economic growth.

The programme focused on issues including community wealth building, anchor institutions, inclusive investment and the role of social enterprise, alongside examples of regeneration already taking place across East Belfast.

Portview’s involvement reflected the organisation’s wider interest in regeneration beyond the boundary of the former Strand Spinning Mill. The businesses, jobs, visitors and learning activity supported at Portview form part of a much larger East Belfast economy, and the long-term success of the site is closely connected to the success of the surrounding area.

By working with partners on the conference, Portview helped create space for practical discussion about how investment and growth can generate benefits that remain rooted in local communities.

Contemporary coverage / source: Belfast City Airport – EastSide Economic Regeneration Conference