Market traders forge Belfast links
A delegation of Cork traders visited the landmark market and Belfast City Hall last weekend with a view to establishing a formal twinning link.
They met with city officials and St George’s traders to discuss marketing opportunities and joint events.
St George’s was established in 1890. The single-storey market has three complete streets running through it. It had suffered from neglect and was in a state of disrepair before a €6 million refurbishment grant brought it back to its Victorian splendour.
The revamp gave the market a new lease of life and it is a prime venue for craft and antique markets, exhibitions, concerts, boxing events and even fashion shows.
It has a large stallage area, six retail outlets and one of Belfast’s best restaurants, The Oxford Exchange on the first floor.
The twinning relationship is being examined as part of the Lagan to the Lee link forged between Cork and Belfast city councils.
Meanwhile, the two markets are also hoping to be included in an elite club of top European markets under a project which is being spearheaded by officials running Barcelona’s La Boqueria market.
