Independent traders continue to thrive at St George's and Smithfield Markets

Date: 24 July 2025

Summer shoppers are being encouraged to check out what's on offer from both established and up and coming traders at Belfast’s historic St George's and Smithfield Markets during Independent Retail Month.

Both markets, operated by Belfast City Council, are open throughout the summer - Smithfield is open Monday to Saturday (9.30am to 5.30pm) and St George's Market runs every weekend (Friday, 8am-2pm, Saturday, 9am-3pm, and Sunday, 10am-3pm).

Dating back to 1896, St George's Market continues to grow, attracting over a million visitors per year and offering a mix of older traders, selling quality produce and popular traditional products, alongside newer stallholders who are helping to broaden the market’s appeal to customers.

The market, which offers over 500 stalls across each weekend, is also a huge draw with tourists to the city, with almost a third of visitors surveyed travelling to Belfast from Britain and Ireland.

More than two thirds of those surveyed said they mainly came to Belfast to visit the market, and over 80% would recommend St George’s to others.

The council’s ‘Test Trade at St George’s’ initiative is also going to strength to strength, supporting over 100 local entrepreneurs since first launching as a pilot scheme in 2019.

Open to individuals receiving assistance through the council’s business support service, it gives budding businesses the chance to trial their products and services with customers, for free for six weeks, while building their experience in sales, marketing and customer service.

Smithfield Market is also home to many local traders and Belfast characters, offering over 30 unique shops and retailers, including essential repairs, antiques, handmade toys and household furnishings. 

Councillor Ian McLaughlin, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee said: "St George’s is a Belfast institution and our experienced traders bring a wealth of knowledge, many of them having served generations of families, while our newer traders inject creativity and innovation. It is this blend of traders that has helped the market to evolve over time, and for that reason, it is expected to continue to thrive for years to come.

“Smithfield too remains a unique gem in the city which offers something different from the usual high street mix.

“Our council is also proud to use our markets to provide a springboard for budding entrepreneurs, like Anna, to test drive their ideas and products and work out whether a career in the business is the right choice for them.

“And we’re continuing to look at new ways to make the most of these historic facilities too.

“St George’s Market, for example, is available to hire on non-market days and is the ideal venue for everything from food festivals to music gigs. Regular events like our popular Twilight Markets have also proven successful in supporting our evening economy and enabling local businesses to showcase their products to new customers.”

For more information on market days, opening hours and hiring the market, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/markets  

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