NEWSFLASH!!!!

Thanks to all the efforts so far and all the support from all of you, we are delighted to announce that The Rotterdam Bar is open once again!

This dramatic development is beyond my wildest dreams... not only will the bar be open for a whole year (hopefully time enough to show what it means to us all), but at the helm will be none other than the inimitable Chris Roddy (the man responsible for making The Rotterdam a musical & cultural icon from the late seventies to the mid nineties), aided and abetted by the extremely capable Nigel Martin. Nigel will be taking care of a lot of the entertainment... and boy is there entertainment planned for you all!!!I can't thank everyone enough... we are at a very important stage in the campaign now... we have time and space in which to manouvre, and more importantly to show 'everyone'how incredibly wonderfful The Rotterdam Bar is.

This is potentially going to be the finest year The Rotterdam Bar has ever seen.

We look forward to seeing all the regulars, old and recent and many newcomers in the coming weeks and months who didn't realise what a jewel we have at the end of Pilot Street . Just like old times!

The acoustic sundays are going great guns - anyone loooking for a slot can contact me through my music page www.myspace.com/ludwigsongs

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments and support

Ludwig O'Neill

"This pair of 19th Century bars, in the area known as Sailortown are tangible reminders of the city's maritime heritage and serve as a vital draw for visitors... "...the two pubs were the last of their kind and should be preserved for future generations"

Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (Source: Irish News (p.9) Sat May 19th 2007)

Sign the petition here:

http://www.nbmcmedia.com/rott

Here is an excerpt from the planning application for the site

Source: http://www.planningni.gov.uk/Devel_Control/council_schedules /newtownabbey/Newtonabbey_A110507.pdf“1024F 54 Pilot Street and No’s 19-22 Princes Dock Street, BelfastProposed demolition of existing 2no public houses and construction of 59noprivate apartments above 2no replacement public houses with basement carpark.

Even if we don't save this wonderful music bar - we can highlight the growing detrimental abuses of planning and development in Belfast - this is not just about The Rotterdam Bar! This is about the future of ALL OF OUR BUILT HERITAGE!!

There are indeed plans to incorporate 2 public houses into any development... We need to try and make them keep the Rotterdam and incorporate it's two ground floor rooms and facade - AT THE VERY LEAST!! and at best we could make them realise how important this bar would be as a tourist landmark with all of its maritime history and the very fact that, musically it is the Belfast equivalent of Liverpools Cavern Club... an icon of the city's contemporary music scene for some 27 years.

I will be seeking submisions to this page and friend requests from all interested parties.... Anyone who has played here, of whatever stature should get involved, as should ALL Rotterdam patrons, past and present.It is more than likely, given the 'take-up' rate of similar projects in this vicinity, that any apartments/properties built on this site will be mainly used for 'bluechip' investment... in other words... they'll be held as assets by large companies solely for investment purposes. There will be no 'community' here... just vacant properties.WE HAVE A RIGHT TO OUR OPINIONS ON THESE MATTERS

More to come... watch this space... tell everyone!