Council Report Outlines Plans To Mark 20 Years Of Causeway Speciality Market

A series of events and promotional activities is being planned to mark the 20th anniversary of the Causeway Speciality Market in Coleraine, according to a report due to be presented to councillors next week.

Members of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Leisure and Development Committee will receive an update on the proposed celebrations when they meet on 18 March. The report has been submitted for information and outlines a year-long programme recognising the market’s development since it began operating in April 2006.  

The market, which takes place around Coleraine Town Hall, started with just 12 stalls operating monthly. It has since grown to become the largest regular outdoor market in Northern Ireland and now operates twice a month, hosting up to 47 stalls at each event.

Council data suggests the market continues to draw significant numbers of visitors to the town centre. Footfall figures indicate an increase of between 3,000 and 5,000 people on market days, representing around an 8% uplift compared with typical Saturday footfall levels of between 38,000 and 45,000 visitors.

Currently, 80 traders from within the borough are registered to participate, while a further 230 traders from across Northern Ireland are listed on the market database as interested in taking part.

The council’s Town and Village Management team has outlined five key strands for the anniversary programme. These include hosting celebration events, recognising stakeholders involved in the market, documenting the market’s history, creating new promotional materials and planning for the market’s future.

Among the planned highlights are three themed celebration markets scheduled for 11 April, 11 July and 8 August.

The first event in April will officially launch the anniversary year and will include a road closure to allow the market to expand across Church Street, Queen Street and Bridge Street. Demonstrations from food producers and craft makers are expected to take place in an exhibition marquee, alongside family entertainment throughout the town centre.

Further demonstration events featuring local chefs and artisan crafters are planned for the July and August markets.

The programme also includes the creation of a digital archive and exhibition materials documenting the history of markets in Coleraine. Local historians will be involved in developing storyboards and an accessible timeline charting the development of the Causeway Speciality Market and its role within the town.  

As part of the anniversary year, the council will also run a structured PR campaign featuring trader stories, social media content and potential broadcast opportunities. Promotion will also be supported through collaboration with Translink.

Looking ahead, the council plans to continue developing new traders through its “Journey to Market” programme. The initiative provides mentoring and workshops for local food and craft producers before they begin trading at the market. A first group of 10 participants is expected to take part in the April celebration market, with a second cohort planned to begin later in September.

As part of the anniversary programme, a formal gala dinner and awards evening is planned for January 2027. The event will recognise long-serving traders and the operational staff who have supported the market over the years, while also highlighting participants from the Journey to Market programme.

However, the anniversary activities will continue beyond the awards event. Markets and promotional activity are scheduled to run into early 2027, with the programme concluding with the collation of digital material and storytelling documenting the market’s history and achievements during the celebration year.