BELFAST's Folktown Market is celebrating its rebirth by hosting the Northern Ireland Craft Collective this weekend in celebration of August Craft Month.
An independent market with 20 artisan stalls promoting local makers and producers, the Bank Square initiative is using the event today to mark its new Saturday slot, reinstating a long tradition of market trading in area.
Folktown Market director Sophie Rasmussen said organisers were "delighted" to be trading regularly on Saturdays, following a number of intermittent weekend events which proved popular with shoppers and visitors to the city centre.
"We originally traded on Thursdays, but we also ran several one-off market events on Saturdays and they were an amazing success," she said.
"The market is one of a number of small, independent and emerging markets in Belfast which is making the city a more vibrant place to shop."
Opened in April 2015 and running every Thursday, the market initially drew in the crowds, but five months after its launch, the number of stalls had dwindled from 30 to 14.
But with the Saturday date on the schedule, it is hoped Folktown Market will experience a re-booted brio and renewed drive to promote Belfast and its local produce, food and crafts.
Co-founder Joby Fox said: "Over the years there have been many developments in the area, including new hotel and restaurants, and now several hundred students are about to move in.
"It's not just about the Folktown Market, it's about connecting what we as an area have to offer with the rest of the city."
A social enterprise centre, the market set up in Bank Square following a £3 million makeover by the former Department for Social Development which transformed the former car park with new paving, trees, street art and lighting.
It was was the first independent weekly outdoor market to be granted a licence in 400 years, following a successful challenge to Belfast City Council.
The ancient 'Belfast Charter' was granted in 1613 to Lord Chichester by James I and marked the start of the Belfast Corporation - later to became Belfast City Council, which had, until early in 2015, exclusive market rights in the city.
Following August Craft Month with NI Craft Collective, the market is hosting a Feile an Phobail concert on August 12 and is also linking up with the Liu Lunasa Festival on August 26 and Culture Night on September 22.
