17 November 2023, 06:13 GMT
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This marks the 18th year for the Belfast Christmas Market at the City Hall
“The costs of materials, rents, and energy have all increased, making it challenging, but we ensure we strike the right balance and make it work.”
Belfast’s Christmas markets have reopened with traders offering their goods amid escalating expenses.
This Saturday, the market will commence at noon at City Hall, while the Christmas lights switch-on will follow in the evening.
A crisis emerged due to the halt in construction work at the venue this week.
Despite the increasing costs, vendors anticipate a stable economic situation.
Markus Kochems, a wine producer from Germany’s Moselle Valley region, has been vending his goods at the market since its inception.
“In Germany, the costs of producing goods, energy, and labor have all risen,” he mentioned.
“Stall fees in the UK have also increased.
“Our family business can be traced back to the 17th century. My father managed it before me, and I assumed control in 1997.
“Over the years, I have developed many relationships here, and individuals from Belfast and Northern Ireland now visit the Moselle Valley region of Germany – I have heard their feedback.
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Markus Kochems, a wine producer from Germany’s Moselle Valley region, has been vending his goods at the market since its inception.
“I haven’t come here for the money; I’ve come to showcase my home region and hopefully attract people from Northern Ireland to relocate to the Moselle Valley.
“I come to Belfast because it’s like one big family here – they’re generous people who enjoy life and Christmas.”
Andy Pidgen, the manager of the Belfast Christmas Market at Market Place Europe, stated that there will be over 100 stalls at the event this year, representing 30 different nationalities.
More than one million people are expected to attend.
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Andy Pidgen is the manager of the Belfast Christmas Market and says it is a catalyst for bringing people into the city
He commented, “It will be as remarkable as ever. Last year, we faced a fuel crisis but it turned out to be our best event ever – we never relented.”
“I lead a wandering, nocturnal life, but I love it. I enjoy a challenge.
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Helter-Skelter is back at the Belfast market this year
“When you witness people queuing to enter on a Saturday or Sunday, it makes it worthwhile.
“There are 30 nationalities represented this year.
“The nuns from the orphanage in Belarus are returning to sell their crafts. They were unable to do so last year due to the war in Ukraine.
“There’s even an elder in a village in Zimbabwe who crafts model planes from Coca-Cola cans and sells them to aid his community.”
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Mary Taylor from England mentions she enjoys reconnecting with acquaintances at the market
“During Christmas, people in Belfast go out of their way to have a good time,” said Mary Taylor, who operates a clothing store in North Lincolnshire, England.
“Many individuals come from Dublin. I enjoy hearing the accent because my parents hail from Dublin,” she remarked.
“It’s wonderful to reconnect with patrons. I relish it.”
She underlined that despite the heightened costs, maintaining product quality is crucial.
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David Johnston from Belfast supports the homeless through his business OutsideIn
This sentiment is also echoed by Belfast merchant David Johnston, who, like Mary, has been participating in the market for six years.
His apparel business, OutsideIn, supports the homeless.
“For every purchase, we will donate an item to people experiencing homelessness,” she affirmed.
“This market in Belfast has helped raise our profile and we have now attracted online customers from countries like the US and Australia.
“Material costs have gone up, rents have gone up, energy costs have gone up; everything contributes to a difficult balance, but we make sure we get that balance right and make it work.”
When is the commencement of Belfast Christmas Market?
The Belfast Christmas Market will be operational from 12:00 to 22:00 GMT on Saturday 18 November (with bars open until 23:00).
The market will close at 18:00 on Friday 22 December.
One-way system for Christmas lights
A one-way system will be in place in the market on Saturday.
Entrance to the Christmas Market will only be available from Donegall Square West and exiting must be done through Donegall Square East.
This is in conjunction with the Christmas Lights event on Saturday evening, commencing at 18:30 (gates open at 18:00).
Potential traffic disruption
Belfast City Council has advised motorists to anticipate disturbances including parking constraints and traffic diversions in the city center during the early hours of this Saturday and Sunday due to the Christmas lights switch-on event at City Hall.
Event ticket-holders, shoppers, and visitors to the Belfast Christmas Market are also encouraged to plan their journey in advance and allocate additional travel time to and from the city center on Saturday.
There will also be alterations to some TransLink bus and glider services in the Belfast city center.
Further information is available here.
Resumption of night buses and trains
Meanwhile, TransLink has confirmed the return of its night buses and trains in time for Christmas.
The late-night Belfast Bus Metro services will commence on Friday 24 November and run until Friday 22 December (inclusive).
Late-night bus and train services to other towns and cities in Northern Ireland will commence on Friday 1 December and run until Friday 22 December (inclusive).
Further details can be found here
Christmas lights switched on by council area
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council: Thursday, 23 November from 18.00 GMT in Market Square, Antrim.
Ards and North Down Borough Council: from 12.00 GMT on Saturday, November 18 in Bangor; and on Saturday, November 25 at Newtownards from 10.00 GMT.
Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough Council: Friday, 24 November from 18.00 GMT in Banbridge town center.
Belfast City Council: Saturday, 18 November from 18.30 GMT in Belfast city center.
Derry City and Strabane District Council: Friday, 24 November from 18.00 GMT in Derry city center; and in Strabane town center on Saturday, 25 November from 17.00 GMT.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council: In Enniskillen and Omagh on Saturday 25 November from 17.30 GMT.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council: Thursday, 23 November from 18.00 GMT in Lisburn.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council: Saturday, November 18 from 16.00 in Ballymena.
Mid Ulster District Council: Friday, 24 November from 18.30 GMT in Cookstown town center; and from 18.00 GMT in Dungannon on Saturday, 25 November.
Newry, Morne and Down District Council: Thursday, 23 November from 18.00 GMT in Newry.
Source: www.bbc.com
