Creative Roundup of Funding, Support, Events & Opportunities for Creatives - Blick Shared Studios

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- - BLICK FINANCE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - -

The last of our finance resources for creatives to tie in with our finance sessions for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland this week. Some techniques we have used to manage our costs at Blick over the years!

- Analyse all of your expenditure and think about what value it adds to your business e.g. look at your marketing expenditure to see if you are actually getting results from your adverts and promotions, are any consultants you are paying bringing added value to your business, do you need all of the subscriptions you are currently paying for?

- Be strict with yourself about business purchases. Ask yourself honestly if the purchase you are planning to buy will add value to your business or are you buying it to distract yourself or make yourself feel better or like you are doing something useful?

- Streamline your processes and systems to keep your costs low/ to increase your profitability, do you actually need to do everything you are currently doing or can you cut some of it out? Can you automate some of your processes? What can you do yourself to save costs on outsourcing.

- Make sure your bank account is the best value and shop around to see which accounts offer the lowest bank charges

- Monitor your costs as you go along rather than just at the year end. Sometimes you will find you have been paying for a subscription for something which you haven’t used all year!

- Check any supplier invoices carefully to make sure you have only been charged what you were quoted and there isn’t any added costs which you didn’t agree to.

- Check with utility suppliers e.g. broadband, electricity, mobile etc that you are on the best tariff and haven’t been pushed into expensive out of contract tariffs.

- Make sure people actually pay you! Don’t feel bad to ask for what you are owed. Follow up on any overdue invoices by sending reminders and following up with personal emails and phone calls! If you find this too difficult ask a friend or family member to help you with this or just give you moral support!

Read in full on the resources section of our website

https://blickstudios.org/resources/managing-your-cr

Mar 5

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- - BLICK FINANCE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - -

The last of our finance resources for creatives to tie in with our finance sessions for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland this week. Some techniques we have used to manage our costs at Blick over the years!

- Analyse all of your expenditure and think about what value it adds to your business e.g. look at your marketing expenditure to see if you are actually getting results from your adverts and promotions, are any consultants you are paying bringing added value to your business, do you need all of the subscriptions you are currently paying for?

- Be strict with yourself about business purchases. Ask yourself honestly if the purchase you are planning to buy will add value to your business or are you buying it to distract yourself or make yourself feel better or like you are doing something useful?

- Streamline your processes and systems to keep your costs low/ to increase your profitability, do you actually need to do everything you are currently doing or can you cut some of it out? Can you automate some of your processes? What can you do yourself to save costs on outsourcing.

- Make sure your bank account is the best value and shop around to see which accounts offer the lowest bank charges

- Monitor your costs as you go along rather than just at the year end. Sometimes you will find you have been paying for a subscription for something which you haven’t used all year!

- Check any supplier invoices carefully to make sure you have only been charged what you were quoted and there isn’t any added costs which you didn’t agree to.

- Check with utility suppliers e.g. broadband, electricity, mobile etc that you are on the best tariff and haven’t been pushed into expensive out of contract tariffs.

- Make sure people actually pay you! Don’t feel bad to ask for what you are owed. Follow up on any overdue invoices by sending reminders and following up with personal emails and phone calls! If you find this too difficult ask a friend or family member to help you with this or just give you moral support!

Read in full on the resources section of our website

https://blickstudios.org/resources/managing-your-cr

First properly sunny day in the studio for long time! 🌞 ☀️

Mar 3

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First properly sunny day in the studio for long time! 🌞 ☀️

Starting tonight on behalf of the Rural Community Network we are facilitating a series of 4 training sessions to support participants to have more confidence when organising rural heritage events.

Focus will be on encouraging the participants to build practical confidence, not perfection and to take the fear out of running events. Participants will be provided with useful resources, worksheets and sign posting to further support them following the training session.

It`s free to attend and there are still a couple of spaces left if you would like to join us!

Dates – Tue 3rd, Tue 10th and Mon 23rd, Tue 24th March 2026

Time – 7pm – 9pm

Location – Hill of the O’Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon

Free to attend, Tea/coffee and refreshments will be provided

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/4NqUE2dWgwA4ejXb7 or visit the events page of our website for more information

This event is part of RCN’s HEARTH project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland

Mar 3

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Starting tonight on behalf of the Rural Community Network we are facilitating a series of 4 training sessions to support participants to have more confidence when organising rural heritage events.

Focus will be on encouraging the participants to build practical confidence, not perfection and to take the fear out of running events. Participants will be provided with useful resources, worksheets and sign posting to further support them following the training session.

It's free to attend and there are still a couple of spaces left if you would like to join us!

Dates – Tue 3rd, Tue 10th and Mon 23rd, Tue 24th March 2026

Time – 7pm – 9pm

Location – Hill of the O’Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon

Free to attend, Tea/coffee and refreshments will be provided

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/4NqUE2dWgwA4ejXb7 or visit the events page of our website for more information

This event is part of RCN’s HEARTH project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland

This Sunday 8th March Blick resident @seasidebooksni have this great new course starting in our South Belfast Studios

Pop Culture Poetics is a six-week workshop for writers, creators, and curious minds who want to explore how pop culture can serve as a powerful muse for poetic expression. Sessions start March 8, 2026 and will be held Sundays from 5-7pm GMT at Blick Studios. £40 per person.

Each week, we’ll unpack how the media we consume shapes our understanding of identity, authenticity, and art. From The Kardashians to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Instagram poetry, we will explore how culture is created and discuss poetry each week that utilises pop culture as a vehicle to examine race, class, gender, and sexuality. Prompts will be given each week to inspire participants to write poetry inspired by television, music, internet culture, and more. We’ll imagine the future of poetry through the lens of economic uncertainty, digital overload, and a search for authenticity in an age of constant performance, gaining a deeper understanding of pop culture as both mirror and muse. Whether you’re new to poetry or a seasoned writer looking to reignite your craft, Pop Culture Poetics invites you to bring your obsessions, your playlists, your timelines—and turn them into verse.

https://blickstudios.org/events/pop-culture-poetics/

Mar 2

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This Sunday 8th March Blick resident @seasidebooksni have this great new course starting in our South Belfast Studios

Pop Culture Poetics is a six-week workshop for writers, creators, and curious minds who want to explore how pop culture can serve as a powerful muse for poetic expression. Sessions start March 8, 2026 and will be held Sundays from 5-7pm GMT at Blick Studios. £40 per person.

Each week, we’ll unpack how the media we consume shapes our understanding of identity, authenticity, and art. From The Kardashians to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Instagram poetry, we will explore how culture is created and discuss poetry each week that utilises pop culture as a vehicle to examine race, class, gender, and sexuality. Prompts will be given each week to inspire participants to write poetry inspired by television, music, internet culture, and more. We’ll imagine the future of poetry through the lens of economic uncertainty, digital overload, and a search for authenticity in an age of constant performance, gaining a deeper understanding of pop culture as both mirror and muse. Whether you’re new to poetry or a seasoned writer looking to reignite your craft, Pop Culture Poetics invites you to bring your obsessions, your playlists, your timelines—and turn them into verse.

https://blickstudios.org/events/pop-culture-poetics/

- - NEXT WEEK - FINANCE ADVICE SESSIONS FOR ARTISTS - -

As part of the Arts and Mental Health Partnership Programme, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, National Lottery and the Baring Foundation we will be facilitating these 1-2-1 online Financial Advice Sessions for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

These sessions will be an opportunity for artists to talk through their art practice finances and the tailored financial resources we will put together ahead of the sessions. Registered artists will work with us in advance of the session to ensure the outcomes are personalised to meet the financial needs of each artist. All participants will receive personalised post-session goals and actions.

For more info and to book visit:

For more info and to book visit: https://blickstudios.org/events/13482/

Feb 27

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- - NEXT WEEK - FINANCE ADVICE SESSIONS FOR ARTISTS - -

As part of the Arts and Mental Health Partnership Programme, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, National Lottery and the Baring Foundation we will be facilitating these 1-2-1 online Financial Advice Sessions for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

These sessions will be an opportunity for artists to talk through their art practice finances and the tailored financial resources we will put together ahead of the sessions. Registered artists will work with us in advance of the session to ensure the outcomes are personalised to meet the financial needs of each artist. All participants will receive personalised post-session goals and actions.

For more info and to book visit:

For more info and to book visit: https://blickstudios.org/events/13482/

What`s coming up at Blick over the next couple of months!

Feb 25

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What's coming up at Blick over the next couple of months!

- - BLICK FINANCE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - BUDGET & CASHFLOW TEMPLATE--

Today we are sharing our budget and cashflow templates which you can find as downloadable excel templates on the creative resources section of our website. Filling out these templates will help you to understand your costs, plan out your expenses and reach your creative business goals.

https://blickstudios.org/resources/cashflow-template-for-creative-businesses/

Feb 25

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- - BLICK FINANCE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - BUDGET & CASHFLOW TEMPLATE--

Today we are sharing our budget and cashflow templates which you can find as downloadable excel templates on the creative resources section of our website. Filling out these templates will help you to understand your costs, plan out your expenses and reach your creative business goals.

https://blickstudios.org/resources/cashflow-template-for-creative-businesses/

- - BLICK FINANCE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - INVOICE TEMPLATE - -

Day 2 of our finance resources for creatives ahead of next weeks Finance one-on-ones for artists that we are facilitating for the @artscouncilni . Here we share with you what you need to include on an invoice. You can also find downloadable excel and PDF invoice templates on our website:

https://blickstudios.org/resources/what-to-include-on-an-invoice/

Feb 24

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- - BLICK FINANCE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - INVOICE TEMPLATE - -

Day 2 of our finance resources for creatives ahead of next weeks Finance one-on-ones for artists that we are facilitating for the @artscouncilni . Here we share with you what you need to include on an invoice. You can also find downloadable excel and PDF invoice templates on our website:

https://blickstudios.org/resources/what-to-include-on-an-invoice/

- - BLICK FINANCE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - USEFUL LINKS - -

Ahead of our finance sessions for the Arts Council of Northern ireland next month this week we are going to be sharing out some useful finance resources for creatives from our website. Starting today with some financial links for creatives starting their own business.

HMRC what does it mean to be self-employed? – https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself

Registering as self-employed – https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader

Registering for VAT if your turnover exceeds £85,000 – https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/when-to-register

Link to a cashflow template – https://www.startuploans.co.uk/cash-flow-forecast-template/

HMRC free payroll software – https://www.gov.uk/basic-paye-tools

Link to the resources page on our website: https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/

Feb 23

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- - BLICK FINANCE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - USEFUL LINKS - -

Ahead of our finance sessions for the Arts Council of Northern ireland next month this week we are going to be sharing out some useful finance resources for creatives from our website. Starting today with some financial links for creatives starting their own business.

HMRC what does it mean to be self-employed? – https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself

Registering as self-employed – https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader

Registering for VAT if your turnover exceeds £85,000 – https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/when-to-register

Link to a cashflow template – https://www.startuploans.co.uk/cash-flow-forecast-template/

HMRC free payroll software – https://www.gov.uk/basic-paye-tools

Link to the resources page on our website: https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/

Some great insights from @laurenkelsoillustrator `s creative talk for us back in May last year!

Feb 20

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Some great insights from @laurenkelsoillustrator 's creative talk for us back in May last year!

- - FINANCE ADVICE SESSIONS FOR ARTISTS - -

As part of the Arts and Mental Health Partnership Programme, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, National Lottery and the Baring
Foundation, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland will be running 2 x online sessions and 5 x in-person Self-Care Workshops for Individual Artists in Derry/Londonderry this March.

Including these 1-2-1 online Financial Advice Sessions we will be hosting for registered artists to talk through their art practice finances and the tailored financial resources we will put together ahead of the sessions. Registered artists will work with us in advance of the session to ensure the outcomes are personalised to meet the financial needs of each artist. All participants will receive personalised post-session goals and actions.

For more info and to book visit: https://blickstudios.org/events/13482/

Feb 19

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- - FINANCE ADVICE SESSIONS FOR ARTISTS - -

As part of the Arts and Mental Health Partnership Programme, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, National Lottery and the Baring
Foundation, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland will be running 2 x online sessions and 5 x in-person Self-Care Workshops for Individual Artists in Derry/Londonderry this March.

Including these 1-2-1 online Financial Advice Sessions we will be hosting for registered artists to talk through their art practice finances and the tailored financial resources we will put together ahead of the sessions. Registered artists will work with us in advance of the session to ensure the outcomes are personalised to meet the financial needs of each artist. All participants will receive personalised post-session goals and actions.

For more info and to book visit: https://blickstudios.org/events/13482/

- - THE BLICK STORY PART 3 - 2020 - 2025 - -

Part 3 of our story at Blick taking us from 2020 - 2025

This period took us through the stress of rebuilding following the pandemic, but also wonderful experiences like:

- Womenfolk DIg Deep which allowed us to support 27 young women to start and grow their creative businesses over a 9-month period

- Our Time is Now video podcast series which told the stories of 4 successful Belfast creatives

- A fabulous trip to Hong Kong to put together a design installation

-A bittersweet studio move from our first proper studios on the Malone Road to Great Northern Street just off the Lisburn Road.

Currently we are busy working on Belfast Design Week 2026 among other things

You can read our full story on our website: https://blickstudios.org/the-team/the-blick-story/

Feb 18

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- - THE BLICK STORY PART 3 - 2020 - 2025 - -

Part 3 of our story at Blick taking us from 2020 - 2025

This period took us through the stress of rebuilding following the pandemic, but also wonderful experiences like:

- Womenfolk DIg Deep which allowed us to support 27 young women to start and grow their creative businesses over a 9-month period

- Our Time is Now video podcast series which told the stories of 4 successful Belfast creatives

- A fabulous trip to Hong Kong to put together a design installation

-A bittersweet studio move from our first proper studios on the Malone Road to Great Northern Street just off the Lisburn Road.

Currently we are busy working on Belfast Design Week 2026 among other things

You can read our full story on our website: https://blickstudios.org/the-team/the-blick-story/

- - SHARED CREATIVE WORKSPACE AVAILABLE - -

We have dedicated deskspaces available in our beautiful Hill St studios
– £165 per calendar month
– All inclusive prices (rent, rates, utilities, broadband) no VAT
– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract
– 1 months rent required as a deposit
– Cathedral Quarter location

Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website for more info (link below and in profile )
https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/

Feb 17

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- - BLICK CREATIVE RESOURCES - NESTA CREATIVE ENTERPRISE TOOLKIT - -

A great weekend exercise for anyone with an idea for a creative business!

The idea for Blick came during a NESTA https://www.nesta.org.uk/ creative enterprise program in Belfast School of Art in 2006.

We used this toolkit back then and it`s still a great free resource to help you plan, build, test, communicate and launch your new creative business.

You can find this downloadable PDF on the resources section of our website. Link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/resources/nesta-creative-enterprise-toolkit/

Feb 13

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Our latest roundup of opportunities for NI creatives

01. Techstart Regional Innovation Challenge

Deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 17th February 2026

02. Belfast Buildings Trust Creative Belfast internships

Deadline: 20th February 2026

03. Arc’teryx x Ori Women’s Creative Grant
Deadline: 14th February 2026

04. Jerwood Foundation 2026 Funding

Deadline: 2pm, 18th March 2026

05. Atypical Generation Fund

Deadline: 10th March 2026

06.Bank of Ideas Funding

Deadline: 5pm, 23rd March 2026

07. Dragons’ Den: Social Enterprise Edition

Deadline: 5pm, 16th February 2026

08. QEST Grants for Makers and Conservators

Closing date: 18th February

09. Belfast Photo Festival Call for Submissions

Deadline: 2nd March 2026

10. Call to Enter Cinemagic’s ‘On The Pulse’ 2026 competition For Young Filmmakers

Deadline: 20th February 2026

Full details including links on our website (link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/blog/13483/

Feb 12

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What`s coming up at Blick over the next couple of months!

Intermediate Poetry Workshop
Event Date(s): February 3rd
Event Time: 6.30 - 8.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 65 Great Northern Street, Belfast, BT9 7FL
Cost: £40

Womenfolk Peer Mentoring
Event Date(s): February 24th
Event Time: 7.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

Belfast Writers Group – Creative Writing Workshop
Event Date(s): February 28th
Event Time: 12.00 - 4.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: £12
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Personalised Financial Advice Sessions Derry/Londonderry
Event Date(s): March 5th & 6th
Event Time: Various
Location: Online
Cost: Free

Pop Culture Poetics
Event Date(s): March 8th
Event Time: 5 - 7pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 65 Great Northern Street, Belfast, BT9 7FL
Cost: £40

Visit the events page of our website for more info link in profile and below

https://blickstudios.org/events/

Feb 11

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- - THE BLICK STORY PART 2 - 2012 - 2020 - -�

Part 2 of our story at Blick taking us from 2012 - 2020 which seems so long ago now!

This period was probably our busiest, looking back I have no idea how we did it all!

We expanded to the Cathedral Quarter, initially sharing premises with our friends at Flow Yoga, then moving next door to 46 Hill Street and Cotton Court. We also started and managed a creative hub in Derry/Londonderry for 3 years from 2014 for the executive office. We co-founded Belfast Design Week, Womenfolk and Small Town Big Dreams podcast as well as running lots of different events and projects at Blick before everything came to a crahing halt with the pandemic in 2020 which saw us closing our studios for a period and moving Belfast Design Week onto the
streets.

�You can read our full story on our website: �https://blickstudios.org/the-team/the-blick-story/

Feb 10

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- - THE BLICK STORY PART 2 - 2012 - 2020 - -�

Part 2 of our story at Blick taking us from 2012 - 2020 which seems so long ago now!

This period was probably our busiest, looking back I have no idea how we did it all!

We expanded to the Cathedral Quarter, initially sharing premises with our friends at Flow Yoga, then moving next door to 46 Hill Street and Cotton Court. We also started and managed a creative hub in Derry/Londonderry for 3 years from 2014 for the executive office. We co-founded Belfast Design Week, Womenfolk and Small Town Big Dreams podcast as well as running lots of different events and projects at Blick before everything came to a crahing halt with the pandemic in 2020 which saw us closing our studios for a period and moving Belfast Design Week onto the
streets.

�You can read our full story on our website: �https://blickstudios.org/the-team/the-blick-story/

- - BLICK BUSINESS ADDRESS SERVICE - -

As well as offering physical workspace we also offer virtual office space for creative businesses. You can use our Hill St address for your creative business giving your business a professional public image and keeping your home address private.

We offer 2 different services

Monthly Business Address Service £22.50 (Monthly) £200 (Annually)

At the start of each month we will redirect up to 15 items of regular and standard large letter-sized business mail to the address of your choice. Post beyond the 15 letters will be charged at the price of postage, and the cost will be added to your following bill.

Weekly Business Address Service £30 (Monthly) £300 (Annually)

We will redirect business mail to the address of your choice weekly. Up to 25 items of regular and standard large letter-sized mail per calendar month. Post beyond the 25 letters will be charged at the price of postage, and the cost will be added to your following bill.

For more info email rosy@blickstudios.org or visit our website: https://blickstudios.org/virtual-services/

Feb 6

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- - BLICK BUSINESS ADDRESS SERVICE - -

As well as offering physical workspace we also offer virtual office space for creative businesses. You can use our Hill St address for your creative business giving your business a professional public image and keeping your home address private.

We offer 2 different services

Monthly Business Address Service £22.50 (Monthly) £200 (Annually)

At the start of each month we will redirect up to 15 items of regular and standard large letter-sized business mail to the address of your choice. Post beyond the 15 letters will be charged at the price of postage, and the cost will be added to your following bill.

Weekly Business Address Service £30 (Monthly) £300 (Annually)

We will redirect business mail to the address of your choice weekly. Up to 25 items of regular and standard large letter-sized mail per calendar month. Post beyond the 25 letters will be charged at the price of postage, and the cost will be added to your following bill.

For more info email rosy@blickstudios.org or visit our website: https://blickstudios.org/virtual-services/

- - Belfast Stories – Belfast School of Art Year 2 Graphic Design Students X Belfast Design Week Collab Project Site Visit - -

As part of our work for @belfastdesignwk which is happening this May we have been working with @bsoa_graphicdesign Year 2 students on a project that will be showcased in the @belfast_stories building during Belfast Design Week

On Monday this week we visited the Belfast Stories building with the students so they could see the space and plan their designs.

Looking forward to sharing more on the project and the final outputs during Belfast Design Week!

Feb 4

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- - Belfast Stories – Belfast School of Art Year 2 Graphic Design Students X Belfast Design Week Collab Project Site Visit - -

As part of our work for @belfastdesignwk which is happening this May we have been working with @bsoa_graphicdesign Year 2 students on a project that will be showcased in the @belfast_stories building during Belfast Design Week

On Monday this week we visited the Belfast Stories building with the students so they could see the space and plan their designs.

Looking forward to sharing more on the project and the final outputs during Belfast Design Week!

- - AVAILABLE WORKSPACE - 1 DESK COTTON COURT CATHEDRAL QUARTER - -

We have one dedicated deskspace available in our Cotton Court shared creative coworking space:

– £130 per dedicated desk per calendar month all inclusive utilities, rates, broadand etc (No VAT)

– 7am – 10.30pm access

– Industrial style building full of creative organisations in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter

– Safe, well-lit Cathedral Quarter location opposite the Merchant hotel

– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract

– 1 months rent required as a deposit

Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website (link below and in profile)
https://blickstudios.org/locations/cotton-court-belfast/

Feb 3

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