Continental Market Returns To Belfast

The sights, sounds, aromas and above all the tastes of Europe – and beyond – will be returning to Belfast at the end of May.

Belfast City Council once again will be hosting the annual Spring Bank Holiday Continental Market in the grounds of City Hall from Friday 23 – Monday 26 May. Stalls will be open from 9am to 6pm each day

The hugely successful Continental Market is an truly international shopping experience with traders from France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Greece and Poland – and even Tunisia and Iran – plying their wares in the grounds of City Hall.

From closer to home, there also will be some of the best and most popular food traders from St. George’s Market.

Councillor Michael Browne, Chairman of the council’s Development Committee, said: “Belfast has one of the premier food markets on these islands right here in the heart of the city centre. It’s something we should be proud of, and the Continental Market is a highly popular and much anticipated addition to this unique shopping experience.

“More and more people are turning back to traditional shopping for quality foods, product knowledge and personal service – and above all, in these times of rising living costs, value for money.

Some of the local traders to feature will include Country Harvest, with a range of fine continental cheeses, olives and smoked meats; Chris Boyd with his award-winning ‘Rocket and Relish’ burgers, which prove such a massive hit at both St, George’s every Saturday and the Christmas Continental Market each year; and the ever popular traditional Irish sweets from Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory.

On the non-food front there will be leather goods with great leather handbags and designer fashions from Paris; bespoke belt making by Jean-Pierre Claude; crystal, silk ties and scarves from Italy; sheepskin and leather products from Poland; Swarovski crystal from Germany; Senegalese crafts and jewellery; and some very creative marble from Portugal.

The Spring Bank Holiday Continental Market takes place in the grounds of Belfast City Hall from Friday 25 May – Monday 28 May, from 9am – 6pm each day.

(DW)