Agenda item

            The Head of Economic Initiatives provided the Committee with an update on the most recent Twilight Market at St. George’s Market which had taken place on 8th and 9th November 2016.  She advised the Members that, despite inclement weather on the first evening, more than 28,000 people had attended over the course of the two evenings with over 140 local craft and food retailers on offer, including 15 stalls from local restaurants.  The Members were also advised that, as with the first two Twilight Markets, the event had generated significant positive coverage on social media. 

            She advised the Members that the November 2016 Twilight Market had instigated a number of new partnerships, including the Bank of Ireland which linked the event to Global Entrepreneurship Week.  The Committee was advised that this had opened the door for further partnerships and potential sponsorship or other income arrangements. 

            The Head of Economic Initiatives advised the Committee that, given the success of the three events to date, it was proposed that three Twilight Markets would take place in 2017.  She advised that, where possible, the events would link into other planned activity in the City in order to maximise visitor numbers.  She reported that indicative dates of March or April, June and November were being proposed but that these were subject to change.

            She reminded the Committee that St. George’s Market had recently won the UK Market of the Year Award at the Observer Food Awards. She advised the Committee that financial support was available from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to support some of the activity at the market, while Tourism NI had provided promotional support as part of its Year of Food and Drink 2016 campaign.  However, she outlined that it was not yet clear whether this income would be available in the coming financial year.

            The Members were advised that work was underway to look at how the markets could act as a starting point for new businesses, including exploring opportunities for traders to do business in alternative venues and looking at how vacant properties could be regenerated.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives advised the Committee that there was a net cost of approximately £4,000 for each Twilight Market and that the funding for the 2017 Markets had been factored into the budget for the 2017-2018 financial year.             

            During discussion, a number of Members asked that officers explore the possibility of hosting more than three Twilight Markets in 2017, given their popularity.

            After discussion, the Committee:

1.     noted the success of the award-winning Twilight Markets to date;

2.     agreed to support the delivery of three future Twilight Markets in the course of 2017, alongside a wider programme of activities to support tourism growth, business start, local regeneration and city development, noting that the costs had been included in the estimates for the 2017-2018 financial year and would be subject to approval as part of the rate setting process; and

3.     agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting on the possibility of increasing the number of Twilight Markets which took place in the year, given their success.