New Northern Ireland Food and Craft Showcase

In this Year of Food and Drink 2016, the Belfast Christmas Market 2016 will have a new and exciting opportunity to promote even more local produce with the addition of fifteen new chalets outside City Hall gates, in a prime position on Donegall Square North. These chalets will be specifically allocated to showcase not only local food but unique crafts too.

Whether you’re interested in managing a number of chalets or just trading from one, take a look/click through to find out more!

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Market Place Europe Ltd is the operator of the Belfast Christmas and Spring Continental Markets. We have recently been awarded the tender to deliver the markets for another three years, with a possible further two year option.

Throughout the many years that we have been working in Belfast, we have developed strong relationships with tourism organisations and everyone involved in the construction of the Market, as well as the service suppliers, all of whom are local businesses.

Historically 35% of traders at the five week market are local, and the visiting market traders purchase a high percentage of their goods from local producers and suppliers. The gross economic impact for the City of Belfast from the Christmas Market measured £56m in 2014, with 1.3 million visitors to the event.

In this Year of Food and Drink 2016, Market Place is keen to upweight the local trader offering even further with the addition of fifteen new chalets, specifically to showcase Northern Ireland’s fresh food larder and its unique craft industry.


THE OFFER

We are requesting proposals from local food and craft producers who may be interested in either managing a number of new chalets, or trading from a single chalet

It should be noted that due to restrictions that this opportunity does not extend to fast food (including hot food) or drinks. 

These hand-crafted wooden chalets will be positioned outside the City Hall gates, in a prime location on Donegall Square North.


KEY FACTS

• The Belfast Christmas Market will open at 12 pm on Saturday 19 November and close at 8 pm on Thursday 22 November.
• Location: Belfast City Hall Gardens and Donegall Square North.
• Opening hours: 
o Monday – Wednesday 10am – 8pm
o Thursday – Saturday 10am - 10pm
- Thursday 22 December has been extended to 8 pm
o Sunday 1pm – 6pm 
• Chalets will be offered at a preferential rate; this will be discussed upon application.
• Chalet size: each chalet is 3m x 2.5m x 3m.
• Dressing and fitting out: traders will be responsible for providing any fixtures and fittings and for dressing the inside of their chalet
• Power: power outlets are available in each chalet. Electricity is charged at a subsidised rate.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

Please submit a proposal, no longer than four A4 pages double-sided, minimum of size 11 font, outlining the following:

• Contact name and details
• Nature of business/organisation
• Number of chalets you wish to take
• Details of produce
• Price points
• Management and operations methodology including stock management, staffing, pricing, security. 
• Marketing and communications activity
• Plans for dressing chalet
• How your proposal helps to meet the objectives of the Year of Food and Drink 2016 – food producers/purveyors only
• Public Liability Insurance details 
• Where produce is a foodstuff, evidence of environmental health documentation  
• Links to digital platforms i.e. websites and social media.

PLEASE REMEMBER THIS INVITATION DOES NOT INCLUDE FAST FOOD OR CATERING OPTIONS.

NEXT STEPS

The deadline for submission of proposals is 22 August 2016. 

Queries should be emailed only to Jackie Casey.

Please email proposals (no more than 5 mb) to Jackie Casey at Market Place jackie@marketplaceeurope.co.uk.