Agenda item

Proposal for a Sunday Market at St. George’s

            The Committee was advised that market traders at St. George’s had requested that the Committee consider the possibility of a weekly market being held on Sundays, in addition to those held on Fridays and Saturdays.

            The Head of Economic Initiatives pointed out that, whilst this would be a positive addition to the attractions which were available to visitors within the City on a Sunday, there were two issues which would require to be addressed.  Firstly, since no additional monies were available, the Sunday market would need to be self-financing, which would require an average occupation rate of 130 stalls at the present rent, or 175 stalls if the discounted rent which was offered currently to Saturday market pre-paying traders was applied.  Since work patterns for staff within the Markets Unit did not include Sunday working, a Sunday market would have to be covered on overtime, which would result in operational and staff costs of £1,550 per week, which were not included in the current budgets.  Secondly, the Market was used for a variety of cultural and other events, a number of which were held on Sundays and the proposal from the market traders would impact on these events.  However, it had been suggested by the traders that they would forego Sunday markets on the dates of such events.

            During discussion in the matter, several Members expressed concern at the costs to the Council of operating the Sunday market and indicated that it would require to be self-financed.  Another Member reiterated the point he had made earlier in the meeting that the Department had indicated that it would be able to fund the provision of events to be held in Belfast on Sunday but did not have sufficient finances to operate a Sunday market at St. George’s.

            Following further discussion, the Committee agreed that officers should further investigate financing options for the operation of a Sunday market at St. George’s and report back to a future meeting.

Entertainment Licensing Hours for St. George’s Market

            The Head of Economic Initiatives informed the Committee that, following a planned monitoring visit by the Council’s Environmental Protection Unit during a concert which had been held at St. George’s Market on 22nd June, it had been ascertained that loud music was audible in the nearest residential properties.  The Unit had accordingly suggested that the Market was not suitable for concert-type events after 11.00 p.m.  She pointed out that the Council’s Market Unit, Environmental Protection Unit and Building Control Section, together with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, had received complaints from residents regarding noise from events being held late at night at St. George’s. 

            She reported that most promoters would be content with an 11.00 p.m. music curfew, although a small number of promoters, who were aware that the current Entertainments Licence was operational until 1.00 a.m., did request that their events be allowed to operate until that time.  Accordingly, she recommended that the Committee agree that an application be submitted to the Licensing Committee requesting a variation in the existing Entertainments Licence to reduce the hours of operation for the from 1.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. for weekly events and from 3.00 a.m. to 1.00 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

Categorisation of Goods for the Saturday Market

            The Head of Economic Initiatives informed the Committee that the Friday variety market at St. George’s operated a categorisation system for traders to ensure a fair and equitable range of goods were sold.  This categorisation had been established by the Council in 2001, partly as a result of the introduction of the Duplication of Goods Act 1999 which protected traders and ensured that a wide range of goods and services were available.  She reported that, given the continued success of the Saturday market, and, following lengthy discussions between the Markets Unit staff, traders and their representatives, it was proposed that a similar categorisation system be introduced for the Saturday market.

            The Committee agreed to the introduction of the categorisation of goods for the Saturday market at St. George’s.

Retail Sector Support Plan – Continental Market

            The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Committee that, as part of the Retail Sector Support Plan 2009/2010, independent traders had been given the opportunity to showcase and sell their products and services at prime locations, open spaces and on Council land, including the Christmas Continental Market in the City Hall grounds.  She reported that, following discussion with the company responsible for providing the Continental Market, it was proposed to let stalls at cost price to small and local independent retailers.  This would provide opportunities for such retailers to offer a wider range of products at the Market.  Accordingly, she recommended that the Committee approve the letting of additional stalls by the organisers of the Christmas Continental Market for use by small local and independent retailers.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.