The Court House
Overlooking Bangor’s historic seafront, The Court House is a bold and beautiful example of how heritage can fuel regeneration. Once a banking hall, later a public courthouse, the building now pulses with new life as a vital civic arts venue – a home for music, theatre, discussion, and community connection.
The Court House has been funded by:
- National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Department for Communities
- Garfield Weston Foundation
How a 19th-century bank became Bangor’s beating cultural heart
£1.7m restoration completed
50,000+ annual visitors
4 spaces restored
The Court House is a one-of-a-kind cultural venue that blends heritage, activism and artistry. The Court House hosts everything from live gigs and radio broadcasts to theatre, book clubs and workshops. It’s not just a place for events; it’s a place for people. The Court House now fills a vital gap in the region, giving Bangor the civic arts venue it was lacking.
From banking hall to community beacon
Originally built as a banking hall in the 19th century, the building became Bangor’s public courthouse in the 1950s. Its walls stood witness to decades of civic life – including the turbulence of the Troubles. When disuse led to decay, the building became part of the area’s wider narrative of decline. But with a £1.7 million restoration, a new story has emerged. Careful conservation preserved its original windows, floorboards and historic character. Today, the building stands as living heritage and a testament to Bangor’s resilient spirit.
A cultural spark for city-wide revival
The Court House sits at the centre of Bangor’s comeback story. A port town once known for the linen trade and seaside tourism, Bangor experienced both boom and decline. Now, the Court House is helping to reinvent its identity as a place to live, work, and visit. Through festivals, talks, performances, and public events, the site drives footfall, supports local talent, and reminds residents of what their city can be. Its regeneration sends a clear message: Bangor’s best days aren’t behind it – they’re still to come.
Heritage regeneration with the community at heart
A £1.7 million, year-long restoration saved the Court House from ruin while preserving original features, windows and floorboards, maintaining the building’s authentic character. As an iconic seafront heritage site at the heart of Bangor’s history, its transformation from dereliction to a vibrant venue paves the way for redefining the town’s identity. Now home to festivals and multiple arts and culture events, the Court House not only safeguards local heritage but actively draws people in from both the immediate area and from afar, boosting tourism and community engagement.
Open House
Alison Gordon and Kieran Gilmore started Open House as a grassroots music festival. Over time their mission evolved into placemaking – using creativity to forge connections and build civic pride. As Bangor was lacking in appropriate venues, they hosted the festival across the city’s pubs and restaurants. That was until 2020 when they took ownership of the Court House via Northern Ireland’s first-ever Community Asset Transfer and transformed the building into Bangor’s only civic arts venue. Though heritage was never the original goal, it became part of the journey. Today, Open House remains a not-for-profit driven by passion, not profit – proving what’s possible when culture leads the way.
