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Derry traders say new Christmas market helps them thrive

BBC Elaine Duffy standing in front of her market stall. She has bright red hair and is wearing a long black coat with a multi-coloured scarf. BBC
Elaine Duffy, from Vintage Star fashion, says the new Christmas markets will help encourage people to shop local and support small businesses

Traders at a new Christmas market in Londonderry have said it - and other events like it - are vital for many small businesses in the area to thrive.

A number of wooden cabins have been set up in Pump Street and London Street for the first ever Cathedral Quarter Christmas Market.

About 15 traders, who are selling everything from scented candles to vintage fashion, have their fingers crossed for high footfall across the four-day event and hope it will encourage more people to shop local in the run up to Christmas Day.

Elaine Duffy, who owns Vintage Star fashion, was one of a number of local traders who helped bring their Christmas market idea to fruition.

A narrow street with a number of log cabins trading. A banner can also be seen which reads: 'Welcome to the Cathedral Quarter Christmas Market'
The four-day market is the first to be held in the Cathedral Quarter area of Derry

"This was one of the big ideas that we had as traders to try and get more people back out onto the street here," Ms Duffy explained.

"I have lived in a number of cities across Europe, like Amsterdam, where they have so many markets like this one to help support local business."

She said that the area in which the market is has been "neglected quite a lot over the years".

"It's about encouraging people, even our own Derry folk, to be tourists in their own town and come out of the shopping centres every so often and help support local and home-grown businesses who help keep this town going."

Ms Duffy hopes the market will become a regular occurrence - and not solely for Christmas - in the future.

Jenna McCusker is standing in front of her market stall. She has blonde hair and is wearing black-rimmed glasses, half zip fleece and black coat.
Jenna McCusker is hoping many people will be unwrapping her home fragrance and essential oil products this Christmas

Jenna McCusker, who owns Derry-based House of Scents, said Christmas markets were essential for small businesses.

"The first day has been great so far," she told BBC News NI.

"If Belfast can get big footfall with their Christmas market then there is no reason why we can't see something like that here if it keeps continuing to grow.

"We have been really pleased with the crowds so far - the only downside is it's freezing, but you can't avoid that."

Noel O'Hagan and Ellie Hill standing inside their mobile pizza business. A pizza oven can be seen behind Noel as well as shiny kitchen surfaces all around. Ellie has short brown hair and is wearing a black jacket, black T-shirt and black apron. Noel has short grey hair and a short grey beard and he is wearing a white T-shirt and grey apron.
Noel O'Hagan and Ellie Hill from Mena's Wood Fired Pizzas say they are prepared to feed many hungry customers over the next few days

Noel O'Hagan and Ellie Hill from Mena's Wood Fired Pizzas food truck said they were prepared to feed many hungry customers over the next few days at the market.

"This has mainly been just a set up day for us, but already we are finding a lot of customers coming up to us," Mr O'Hagan said.

"Everything has been going grand and we have already been scoping out what the other traders are selling and I've seen a few already checking on the pizzas here.

"I've had business owners bartering their products already for pizzas."

Selina from Syenna Hair and Beauty hair salon said she hoped the market would provide "knock-on business" for the shops on the street.

"It's all about encouraging trade in this part of the city," she said.

"I think we are a bit forgotten about here sometimes, so I think it's great to see so many people out on the streets - I don't think I've ever seen this many people out on the street - we should always be encouraging people here to shop here".

Denise McGilligan stands in front of a wooden door, with a sign promoting her wine business to her left. She has short dark hair and is wearing a heavy black winter coat, zipped up over a grey jumper.
Denise McGilligan says the market's Christmas atmosphere is 'fantastic'

Denise McGilligan, who co-owns Cloud Wine with her daughter Anne, is selling coolers and tumblers from her log cabin at the market.

"We would usually sell mostly online, but we are here today out in the log cabins hoping to try and show-off our products to some lovely people.

"There's a fantastic Christmas atmosphere about the place and I have been blown away by just how great everything looks."

"Some people I've talked to hadn't heard of our business before so it's great to get our name out there and it's nice to chat to all the other business owners as well."

Ms McGilligan said "they will need to be on their toes" over the next four days and said despite working the long days from morning until night, she insists it won't dampen their Christmas spirit.

Froach Ferguson (left) wearing a blue scarf and green jacket and Annie Buchanan (Right) is wearing a yellow and orange scarf with blue jacket. Froach has shoulder-length brown hair and Annie has longer blonde hair.
Froach Ferguson (left) and Annie Buchanan (Right)

Annie Buchanan from Whitefield Farm is selling wreaths and trees from her stall.

"These are all part of forestry thinning operation so the ones on display here are the ones that we had to cut out so that we could allow other trees to grow," she said.

"We are hoping to get these trees a nice home for Christmas."

Cobbled streets given 'tinsel transformation'

Froach Ferguson is selling hand-made lip balms and said she had seen a steady flow of people coming up to her stall all evening.

"The feedback we have received has been wonderful from everyone and we have been really pleased with everything," she said.