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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Lauren Harte

St George's Market: A bright future beckons for one of Belfast's oldest attractions

It's one of Belfast's oldest attractions and you'll find it packed out every weekend with locals and visitors from all over the world.

These days, St George's Market, which was built between 1890 and 1896, boasts around 170 traders who say business is certainly still going strong 130 years after it first opened.

Open every Friday to Sunday, with live music, tasty offerings and an electric atmosphere, St George's remains a top weekend destination.

Read more: Smithfield Market: The faces and spaces making up Belfast city centre's hidden gem

St George's was originally built for the sale of butter, eggs, poultry and fruit, but by the 1980s it had grown into a general market, the last of the city's thriving Victorian markets.

In the late 1970s most of the 10 markets in and around here were in decline so the fruit and veg market moved to the Boucher Road and all the other markets merged into one under this building.

It continued to operate very successfully throughout the worst of the Troubles.

In recent years, St George’s has won many local and national titles and awards for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere. It was named the UK's Best Large Indoor Market 2019 by the NABMA Great British Market Awards.

St George's Market was built between 1890 and 1896, (A. R. Hogg © National Museums NI/Collection Ulster Museum)

The Friday market, which dates back to 1604, features around 200 market stalls selling fruit, vegetables, antiques, books, clothes, hot food, cakes and buns, crafts and a large selection of fresh fish.

On Saturdays, the focus switches to local, continental and specialty foods including meat and fish, cheese, coffee beans, tapas and organic products from around the world.

There are also handmade crafts, flowers, plants, local photography, pottery, glass and metal work. So you can sample the delicious products or relax with a coffee and a newspaper while listening to some of the best local musicians play live.

The Sunday market is a mix of the Friday and Saturday markets with an emphasis on local arts and crafts, offering more local craftspeople the opportunity to showcase their talents.

There's also live music and local and continental specialty foods such as spices, chutneys and chocolates so you can spend the day browsing through a selection of stalls including scented candles, clothes, handmade jewellery, recycled goods, household goods, antiques, garden plants, souvenirs and health and beauty products.

Belfast artist Graeme Foster aka Foss has been trading at the market for the past eight years and says there's no place he'd rather be.

"St George's is full of colourful characters, including myself, and people you wouldn't find anywhere else," he said. "It lends itself to quirkiness and those who trade here are given free rein to be themselves by making their own goods and selling them to the public.

"For me to stand here and paint every Friday, Saturday and Sunday is as natural as breathing but those who come here see it as something special. They always stop and take a look at what I'm working on."

Belfast artist Graeme Foster aka Foss (Belfast Live)

Trading across the floor from Foss is Cathy McLaverty, who is also chair of the St George's Market Traders Association. She has been selling a range of women’s items including fine jewellery and scarves as Cathy McLaverty Accessories for the past 15 years.

"I love it here and it's a great place for business and unique talents to flourish all under one roof and in an atmosphere that you wouldn't get on the high street," Cathy said.

"Of course after Covid, business was a bit of a struggle and we didn't have as many locals as usual coming through the door but that has been turning around.

"Some of our regulars still drop in every week for a cup of tea and a chat although we have lost a few locals who perhaps still don't feel comfortable coming out yet but we hope that will change over time.

"Our new customers are tourists and the business from cruise ships in particular has helped us all immensely."

Cathy added: "We currently have around 170 traders each weekend and even though that's slightly down compared to before the pandemic, there's currently a waiting list of around 500 who want to try and build up their own business here - that's very encouraging for the future."

Cathy McLaverty, Chair of St George's Market Traders Association (Belfast Live)

Another long-time trader is Conor McCann of Sizzle & Roll, who has been serving mouth-watering burgers, Belfast baps and hot filled sodas since 2002.

"We've been here for just over 20 years and the biggest change in that time has been the numbers of tourists from all over the world now coming through the doors every weekend," Conor said.

"It's great to meet them and hear their reasons for visiting Belfast as well as catching up with our regular customers who are coming back again for the banter with the traders and to enjoy the feel-good atmosphere.

"Many of the traders know each other and we always stick together and help each other out."

Trader Conor McCann of Sizzle & Roll (Belfast Live)

Clodagh Cassin, Markets Development Manager with Belfast City Council, says trade at the market is bouncing back after Covid.

"The market has gone through a real recovery in recent times and after listening to our customers, post-pandemic we've created some new lovely seating areas, introduced some exciting new traders and more live music.

"Our regular customers are coming back in their droves and we're attracting many more tourists too with our footfall increasing week on week. That's because we offer everything all under one roof - great entertainment for children and adults, enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat with friends, buy some unique presents."

Clodagh Cassin, Markets Development Manager with Belfast City Council and John Gormley, Sinn Féin Councillor for the Botanic area (Belfast Live)

Clodagh added: "St George's has long been a hidden gem in the city centre and we're optimistic that markets like this are the way forward. We want this to be a place for all the family to come and enjoy because it continues to offer something for everyone.

"We're very confident about the market's future and will be introducing more changes over the coming week and months including additional new traders, who will offer something different to what's currently on offer."

The market is also dog friendly and in recent years, a quiet hour has been introduced at the Friday (9am to 10am), Saturday (9am to 10am) and Sunday (10am to 11am) markets for customers who prefer a calmer, quieter shopping experience.

During these hours, the music is turned off and other noise is reduced to help create a more welcoming environment for all visitors, especially people with autism and their families.

Video by Belfast Live videographer Dylan Hegarty.

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