Derry Christmas Market back on… but not as we know it

Derry is to have four markets during the festive period, it has been announced

Earlier this year, Derry City and Strabane District Council said it had cancelled this year’s Christmas Market due to a lack of public support.

However, at a meeting of the Council’s Business and Cultural Committee held in Strabane yesterday afternoon, elected members were informed markets would be staged in the city over four weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

A Council report presented to the committee, said the events would be “attractive to visitors and achievable within available budgets.”

The markets are:

Festive Market: 27-29 November, Guildhall Square (delivered by Council). Festive Market: 10-12 December, Craft Village (partnership with Inner City Trust). Festive Market: 18-20 December, Craft Village (partnership with Inner City Trust). Community Market: 18-19 December, Guildhall Square (partnership NR areas).

Speaking at the meeting, SDLP Councillor John Boyle said Council should look at putting something in place in Guildhall Sqaure, such as a large marquee, on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Christmas.

He said previous markets had all closed on the weekend before Christmas and said that as a result of that, there was a lack of a festive atmosphere in the days running up to Christmas.

He added: "It didn't feel in the days leading up to Christmas that we were in a winter wonderland," he said.

A Council officer said they were “more than happy to scope that out.”

See tomorrow's Derry News for full story.