Budding entrepreneurs pop up in Belfast

Craft and food entrepreneurs will be ‘popping’ up in Belfast over the next few weeks as part of the council’s Market Start Up Programme.

Recruits on the latest programme will be running their own Pop Up Shop in the Queen Street Studios building on Bedford Street from Friday 28 February to Sunday 9 March providing a taste of something new for shoppers.

Among the many delights on offer at the ‘We Make’ shop will be hand-printed fabrics and home accessories; bridal jewellery; photographic prints; paper crafts; celebration cakes; savoury and sweet waffles and Sri Lankan food.

Councillor Deirdre Hargey, chair of the council’s Development Committee which funds the Market Start Up Programme, said: “This programme gives new businesses the chance to explore market trading and the Pop Up Shop as a practical option.

“It follows intensive workshops with successful traders and the creation of business plans for each new venture. As a council, we are committed to supporting new entrepreneurs and I would urge locals and visitors alike to visit the pop up shop to show their support.

“The vast majority of local business is made up of small traders so it is vital that we encourage as many as possible to seize the opportunity to create their own business to help us build an exciting, wide ranging and unique sector.

“Doing this we can boost our city, create jobs and improve our local shopping and trading environment,” she added.

Emma Campbell from Bramble Creatures Show, one of the participants on the Market Start Up Programme, said: “We Make is a collaboration of creative folk showcasing their talent in the city of Belfast. What better way to do it than setting up a Pop Up Shop.”

Paul Killen from Paul Killeen Photography, another programme participant, added: “We are all very different in what we create but we share the same goal and we’re trying to reach further and push harder to achieve it.  The quality is there to see.  With ‘We Make’,  others can now see that too!”

The Market Start Up Programme, delivered by Full Circle Management Solutions on behalf of Belfast City Council, offers participants a number of workshops introducing market trading; one-to-one mentoring to develop ideas; best practice visits to successful businesses; visits to international food and craft events; a meet the buyer event and test trading opportunities in a Pop Up shop and at the award winning St. George’s Market.

For more information on the We Make Pop Up Shop, you can follow the businesses trading on Facebook and

entrepreneurs market pop up programme