Pitured are Catherine McCauley Sweet Piranha Bites, Mayor Alderman Hilary McClintock, Nicolle Walters Markets Development officer and Eileen Sharkey Sand Art.
DERRY City and Strabane District Council is setting up a food and craft market in Strabane as part of a pilot scheme aimed at showcasing local food produce and craft design work.
The market, which will be run by the Council, will operate on the last Friday of every month in the town centre and will complement the existing retail offering in the town.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, welcoming the establishment of the new market says it’s a fantastic opportunity for local traders, food producers and craft workers to get involved in showcasing their produce to the local community and a great way of creating a buzz in the town centre.
Market development officer with the Council Nicolle Walters says the Walled City Market that operates in Derry’s Guildhall Square on the first Saturday of the month is enjoying good success and it is hoped that the Strabane market will follow in its footsteps.
“The Walled City Market has been extremely well received among local traders and generates a steady influx of local shoppers and visitors to the city centre each month.
“We are really keen to get people in Strabane to come out and buy fresh fruit, vegetables, breads, meat and handmade crafts and gifts from local producers.
“It’s a good way of interacting with people and creating a buzz in the town centre and encouraging people to sample new produce,” she says.
Among the traders already signed up to take part in the market are Eileen Sharkey from Sand Art and Catherine McCauley from Sweet Piranha Bites, who are hoping the market will provide them with a new customer base and opportunity to profile their products and business.
The first market is set to take place on Friday, 28 April, at the Courtyard at the Alley Theatre from 11 am to 4pm.
The Council is still taking applications for traders who are interested in taking part.
Trading opportunities are limited and traders will be subject to a selection process which will take into account the types of goods, their speciality nature, and previous experience.
Applicants will be expected to participate in the project for ten months initially beginning on Friday April 28th.
Application forms and selection criteria can be obtained from www.derrystrabane.com/publicnotice or by emailing [email protected]
or contacting Council’s Business Section on Tel: 02871 253 253 ext: 6664.
