Belfast traders 'not worried' about traffic as Christmas market opens

The director of Belfast Christmas Market is hoping the suspension of roadworks in the run-up to Christmas allays concerns after recent traffic congestion in the city.

Some traders have said that congestion in the centre of Belfast, which is being blamed on roadworks and the opening of a new multi-million pound transport hub, is causing a drop in footfall and affecting local businesses.

The Bavarian-style market opened its doors to the public at noon on Saturday, hours before the city's Christmas light switch-on event.

Celebrating its 20th year, the market is anticipating about one million visitors over its five-week run.

Allan Hartwell, managing director of Market Place which runs the Christmas event, said he first heard about the traffic issues shortly before arriving in the city for the market's set up.

"I was really concerned, but we arrived on the Saturday and on the Sunday I took a walk around the city and it was booming, it was heaving.

"Because of all these roadworks going on, I was really surprised that the weekends have been absolutely buoyant."

He said the suspension of non-essential roadworks on Belfast routes, which is planned for 25 November, should ease concerns.

Mary Taylor has been operating her clothing stall in Belfast's market for seven years - surviving setbacks caused by the Covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

“I love this city, the people are lovely here, very friendly, and we always have a successful market regardless of the weather or what’s going on," she said.

Ms Taylor said she does not think the recent congestion will have too much of an effect on business.

"If the people want to come to the market, they’ll come, however they get here by bus, train or car, they’ll come so no it doesn’t worry me," she added.

Belfast's Christmas Market first ran as a pilot project in 2004 with 34 traders, with the vast majority of those from France, Germany and the Netherlands.

"When we started, we were concerned about the lack of professional market traders within Northern Ireland," Mr Hartwell said.

"There wasn’t a huge amount of markets operating with full-time traders, and not traders that can sustain a five-week market."

A new contract was negotiated, and a partnership with nearby St George's Market was established, to ensure that local businesses are represented.

Now, about 50% of the 100 stalls in operation are owned by local traders, Mr Hartwell added.

This year, a chalet has been set aside in a prime location to allow for six young business owners to operate in the market for free.

Another initiative by Market Place, called the Jolly Big Business Boost, allows one local business to operate at the market free of charge.

The winner, Emma Goodman from Lurgan in County Armagh, said she was shocked when she received the good news.

Ms Goodman, who has a dog accessory business, spotted the competition while recovering from surgery earlier this year.

"I was thinking I'll probably not win it, I'll just enter for experience and I nearly died when I got the phone call," she said.

She is hoping the opportunity will allow her to grow her business and build a community network.

There are other markets across Northern Ireland in the run up to Christmas, such as Flowerfield Art Centre's Christmas Craft Market in Portstewart.

It operates six days a week and features a number of local traders. It is run by Causeway Coast and Glens Council, allowing for businesses to cut down on staffing costs.

Geri Martin, who runs an artisan chocolate shop in Castlerock, said the experience is invaluable during the business's busiest time of the year.

"I can't afford to send someone to stand at a Christmas market," she explained.

"It's such a difficult time of the year for us because we're so busy with all of our corporate work and Christmas gifts so the way it has been set up is fantastic and every year we see our sales grow.

"Businesses have to really commit their time... and that's a huge risk because you don't know how well the market is going to go."

Fiona Shannon, who is from Portstewart, has been selling her ceramic goods at Flowerfield for a number of years.

"It's a fantastic market to be a part of," she said.

"A lot of local people have started to come and support it and it's worked out really well for me as a business."

Ms Shannon said about 35 local businesses make up Flowerfield's market.

"There's such a range of stuff now that people can essentially do all of their shopping under one roof," she added.

Belfast's Christmas Market opened at noon on Saturday 16 November and will run daily until 18:00 GMT on Sunday 22 December.

The market operates from 10:00 and closes at 20:00 (bars open until 21:00) from Monday to Wednesday and 22:00 (bars open until 23:00) from Thursday to Saturday.

On a Sunday, gates open at noon, with the earlier closing time of 18:00.

Donegall Square North and Donegall Square West will be closed on Sunday between 02:00 and 05:00.