Newry is set to host its first ever Christmas Market as a “game changing” drive for its 400-year-old city centre trading halls.
The council’s sustainability and environment committee approved a report on Wednesday (May 21) to host a five week seasonal event.
The seasonal boost to the border city hopes to promote local trade in a location that has faced a sharp “decline” in recent years with some elected reps cautious of the plans.
Newry City SDLP rep, Doire Finn said: “I have actually met with the organiser and the plans for it are absolutely fabulous.
“It has been a long held belief of mine that Newry Market can host events like this and I think it is going to be a game changer for that particular part of the town and for local traders.
“I think there is so much potential with it and it will bring so much life to local businesses. It is well over due. I think it is a wonderful idea and I did not think I would be talking about Christmas on possibly the hottest day of the year so far in May.”
The 17th century Newry Variety Market hall will provide up to 70 stalls for festive punters in a venue that has been part of the area for hundreds of years having been established in 1613.
A council report states that an external party approached the local authority to pitch the idea for a 2025 Christmas Market.
It is proposed to open the stalls on the same night as the city’s Christmas lights switch-on in mid-November and then on Thursday and Saturdays on the run up to Christmas.
Newry City Sinn Fein cllr, Valerie Harte added: “Any move to enhance the footfall of the use of Newry Market has to be whole-heartedly welcomed.
“It is great to see that the market has so much potential. We need to make sure the current stall holders do not suffer from this.
“Any time you go through Newry Market you’d be lucky to see 10 stalls in use and that’s on a good day. The decline has become so bad in that area.
“Surely, it might be an idea to run this as a pilot in its first year and work from there.”
A council officer advised the chamber that current weekly stall holders would take part in the festive season at Newry Market.
Slieve Gullion UUP rep David Taylor also echoed concerns about the time period.
He said: “We need to make sure we get this right. People leave from here to go to the Belfast Christmas Market and we want people to be coming here to Newry’s.
“I certainly hope this proves to be a success and something we can build on in future years.”
