Trinity Square market to continue after successful revival

TRADERS behind a popular craft market hope it will become a regular event after securing three more dates.

Trinity Square in Hull's Old Town has not seen a regular market day since the late 1990s.

But last month, a Friday craft market, organised by trader Julie Buffey, was declared a roaring success.

Now, Ms Buffey has booked three more dates for the market – which will run on the last Friday of each month.

Ms Buffey, who runs Roisin Dubh in nearby Hepworth Arcade, said: "The first market was really a test to see how people found it.

"Afterwards, I had loads of inquiries from people wanting to hold stalls from as far away as Lincoln. It is great the news spread on both the north and south banks.

"People want to see something a little bit different and the Old Town is the perfect place to do it.

"Apparently, the Friday after we held the first one, people were turning up asking where the market was.

"There is obviously a real interest – so that's why we've picked dates for people to remember."

The next three markets will be held on September 28, October 26 and November 30 – the last Friday of each month.

Each market will be held from 10am to 4pm and once again, there will be 18 gazebos.

Ms Buffey has already booked all the traders for the next event and is getting enquiries about Christmas.

She said: "Hull City Council and Hull BID have been incredibly supportive.

They've really helped me get my head around everything, because I've never run a market before.

"I'm so thrilled to have three more dates booked in.

"I've concentrated on the creative theme again, so it is crafts and homemade items. One idea I've had for the future is to perhaps display some artwork from local schools.

"Lots of great artwork is made for A-level and GCSE projects, but they never get seen outside the school corridors.

"We could perhaps have a display in Holy Trinity Church to tie in with the markets."

Stallholder Emma Fulford, 23, of east Hull, says the market is a great boost to the Old Town area.

Emma, who runs Wild About Art – which sells postcards and prints of wildlife photographs – said: "I did the last market Julie ran and I think it was a great opportunity for artists to get together and show their work.

"I know a lot of people who remember the market from the 1990s want to see it back.

"It provides a bit of a boost for the stallholders and brings people from the community to that area of the city."

Julie says she is confident the next three markets will be a success, although she admits the first one, held on August 31, was unusually busy.

She said: "The first one was on the last Friday before the schools returned and it was a brilliant, sunny day – it was just perfect.

"During the next few, the weather might not be on our side.

"But I've spoken to some of the bars down Princes Dock Street and they were busier that day.

"The market increased the footfall around the Old Town, so it seems to have had a good effect on different business surrounding the square.

"Hopefully, this will continue."