PROJECT: ST GEORGE’S MARKET
CONSTITUENCY: BELFAST SOUTH
LOCAL AUTHORITY: BELFAST
AMOUNT AWARDED: £2,045,000

An HLF grant of just over £2. 1 million was given to Belfast City Council to conserve St George’s Market in Belfast, dating from 1890 and the only surviving original indoor market in the city. The building had fallen into a state of dilapidation and was in need of extensive fabric refurbishment to reinstate it as one of the city’s foremost buildings.

The refurbishment of this landmark building has led to the establishment of a thriving produce market on weekdays and the introduction of a farmers’ market at the weekend. The commercial success of the restored market is reflected in the waiting list of approximately 50 traders wanting to set up a stall here. As a result of the market refurbishment, the council has also let six new shop units in front of the market, creating 20 new jobs. The hall is used extensively for events, exhibitions and concerts. A partnership agreement with the nearby Belfast Waterfront Hall, which hosts large conferences, has allowed the city to win major exhibition and conference business that would otherwise not have come to Belfast.

In May 2000, the St George’s Market refurbishment project was awarded a Millennium Commendation from the Civic Trust, an award given annually to outstanding examples of architecture and environmental design that benefit their local areas and communities. The building has proved to be a great social meeting place for the community on market days and during the many craft fairs, fashion shows, concerts and community events that are held there.