Newry to get its first ever Christmas market this year
The council's sustainability and environment committee approved a report on Wednesday to host a five week seasonal event.
The plan for the border city hopes to promote local trade in a location that has faced a sharp 'decline' in recent years although some councillors were cautious about the plans.
Newry City SDLP councillor Doire Finn said: 'I have actually met with the organiser and the plans for it are absolutely fabulous.
'It has been a long held belief of mine that Newry Market can host events like this and I think it is going to be a game changing for that particular part of the town and for local traders.
'I think there is so much potential with it and it will bring so much life to local businesses. It is well over due.
"I think it is a wonderful idea and I did not think I would be talking about Christmas on possibly the hottest day of the year so far in May.'
The 17th century Newry Variety Market hall will provide up to 70 stalls for festive punters in a venue that was established in 1613.
A council report states that an external party approached the local authority to pitch the idea for a 2025 Christmas Market.
News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May
It is proposed to open the stalls on the same night as the city's Christmas lights switch-on in mid-November and then on Thursday and Saturdays on the run up to Christmas.
Newry City Sinn Fein councillor Valerie Harte added: 'Any move to enhance the footfall of the use of Newry Market has to be whole-heartedly welcomed.
'It is great to see that the market has so much potential. We need to make sure the current stall holders do not suffer from this.
'Any time you go through Newry Market you'd be lucky to see 10 stalls in use and that's on a good day. The decline has become so bad in that area.
'Surely, it might be an idea to run this as a pilot in its first year and work from there?'
A council officer advised the chamber that current weekly stall holders would take part in the festive season at Newry Market.
Slieve Gullion UUP councillor David Taylor had concerns about the time period.
He said: 'We need to make sure we get this right. People leave from here to go to the Belfast Christmas Market and we want people to be coming here to Newry's.
'I certainly hope this proves to be a success and something we can build on in future years.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
World's best beer 2025 named beating Budweiser, Guinness and Heineken
We reveal the full list of most popular beers with drinkers around the world below CHEERS TO THAT! World's best beer 2025 named beating Budweiser, Guinness and Heineken Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE world's best beer for 2025 has been named and it's beaten Budweiser, Heineken and Guinness. Corona, which originates from Mexico, has been crowned punters favourite pint. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Corona is the tipple of choice for punters across the globe Credit: Alamy That is according to data and marketing firm's Kantar's BrandZ 2025 Most Valuable Global Brands report. It comes after the crisp beer, usually served with a lime, recorded double digit sales growth outside of its home market. Its no-alcohol Corona Cero, which became the first beer to sponsor the Olympic Games in Paris last year, also saw a boom in demand. And it is the second year in a row the tipple, owned by drinks giant AB InBev, has come out on top. The light beer, celebrating its 100 year anniversary, trumped Budweiser which came second in the rankings. This was followed by Dutch giant Heineken, Mexican brew Modelo and America's Michelob Ultra, which is a hard find in the UK. Marcel Marcondes, marketing chief at global brewing giant AB InBev, said: "For Corona to be recognised as the most valuable beer brand in the world in the same year the brand is celebrating its 100-year anniversary shows the power of building brands for the long-term." Meanwhile, Kantar CEO Chris Jansen added: "With the right level of investment and strategic focus, brands have huge potential to drive growth for their owners. "Anheuser-Busch InBev is a perfect example of this in action. "Through Corona and their other brands, they have mastered the ability to cut through in the face of changing consumer behaviour." All the beers that have lowered in strength British pub classic Stella Artois came ninth in the ranks, while Guinness was at the bottom of the leader board. It comes after the Irish stout has risen in popularity in recent years. Owner Diageo was forced to ration supplies to pubs in the run-up to Christmas due to increased demand. You can see the 10 global beer brands for 2025 below: Corona Budweiser Heineken Model Michelob Ultra Brahma Bud Light Skol Stella Artois Guinness MORE BEER NEWS Punters are paying more for the price of a pint in both the supermarket and the pub. How to save money buying alcohol Alcohol can be pricey if you're planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs. It's always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price. Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz. The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter. If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers. Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as or Don't forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too. If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You'll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile. Costs have risen steadily as manufacturers and pubs grapple with higher alcohol taxes, soaring utility bills and increased staffing costs. A new report from the The Morning Advertiser said London now tops the list for the priciest pints, with pub owners charging an average of £6.10. The cost of popular brands in the capital has also climbed, with a pint of Guinness reaching £6.45, Birra Moretti £7.17, and Camden Hells £7.05 since February. And it's not only London feeling the squeeze. The survey revealed that pint prices in the Midlands increased by 5.15% between January and April. You can see how much the cost of a pint has increased in your area here. 3 Guinness was named the 10th most popular beer in the world Credit: Getty
Daily Record
17 hours ago
- Daily Record
Stonehouse Market gains support from windfarm operator
The popular monthly event has a host of craft stalls and is marking its first anniversary this month A popular community craft market which is now celebrating its first anniversary has been praised for supporting and showcasing local businesses and drawing crowds of shoppers to a South Lanarkshire village. Stonehouse Market, which takes place in the community graden on King Street and was first held in June 2024, is led by the area's business association and has a range of traders queuing up to take part with their products ranging from cakes and candles to pet treats and unique handcrafted items. It received a £6500 grant from South Lanarkshire's Renewable Energy Fund with support from local windfarm operator OnPath Energy, who highlighted the community project's success in helping to revive the town centre "by supporting small businesses, promoting greener shopping and attracting crowds'. The Keep It Stonehouse market runs on the second Saturday of the month from May to September, with organisers also planning an additional Christmas market – with the next event taking place on June 14 from 10am to 2pm. A total of 14 stall spaces are available under its licence, so the event is regularly oversubscribed with a waiting list for potential traders. Regular stallholders include Unique 2 U, Missy's Melts, Fab Fancies, Cakes by Rebecca, Mecoco, Made with Love by Angela, Whippet Clean, Perfect Pup Pals, Windy Wizzen's Emporium, the Auld Stanehoose Cafe, K&G Crystal Portal and Davies Laser & Engraving. Now a regular fixture in the local calendar with its colourful traditionally-striped stalls, it also includes free family entertainment such as face painting and balloon modelling to add further attraction to market day, while the events have also encouraged nearby businesses to open specially while they take place. Stonehouse Business Association secretary Peter Ramsay said: 'It's more than just a market – it's a focal point for the community, a place for neighbours to meet, support local talent, and enjoy a buzzing, family-friendly atmosphere right in the centre of the village. 'We were keen to bring something with character and colour, so we invested in old-fashioned, striped market stalls to give it that vibrant, traditional feel. The support from OnPath Energy helped us get the initiative off the ground, and it's gone from strength to strength ever since.' Picture framer Peter added: 'There are more than 100 small businesses in and around Stonehouse, many hidden from view – the market gives them a stage and helps people appreciate the diversity of local goods made on their doorstep.' The local business association was founded seven years ago to represent and promote local businesses and now has more than 40 members. Organisers say the monthly market 'reflects its core aim, to showcase Stonehouse's enterprising spirit and to bring economic benefits back to the village centre' and hope to increase the number of stalls in future years. Hamilton-based OnPath, which operates both the Kype Muir windfarm five miles south of Strathaven plus Middle Muir, near Douglas, contributed to the market through the Renewable Energy Fund (REF) administered by South Lanarkshire Council. Partnerships and community manager Aileen McCreadie said: 'We're proud to support local projects like this which demonstrate the value of community-driven regeneration – Stonehouse Market is an outstanding example of how REF can enhance everyday life through sustainable and inclusive initiatives. 'It encourages people to adopt greener shopping behaviours and give back to their local communities, and it will no doubt prove to be a popular destination over the summer. Initiatives like this help reduce travel to out-of-town retailers, cut down on packaging waste, and shine a light on the quality and creativity of local producers. 'By supporting small, independent businesses, markets like this make sustainable choices easier and more enjoyable for everyone.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Aldi confirms when back to school uniform bundles will be back for £5
Parents can beat the back to school rush with Aldi's uniform bundle that will be back earlier than ever. With about a month left until the summer holidays, kids across Scotland will be getting excited for some well deserved time off. For them, they don't need to think about school again for about six weeks. Unfortunately, the parents aren't so lucky, as many of them will know that this time of year is always quite busy, especially since they'll be the ones needing to get in all the essentials ahead of a new term. Those who are looking to beat the back to school rush are in luck, as Aldi has just announced when its popular school uniform bundle will be arriving back in stores - and prices have been frozen at £5 for a fourth year running. The budget supermarket chain often comes to the rescue of many families' bank balances when they need to get the kids ready to go back to school, whether that be after the Christmas or summer break. The affordable bundle, which is often hugely popular with parents every year, will officially make its return to the Specialbuys aisle from Sunday, June 29, the earliest it has ever been available. Not only does this give families the opportunity to stock up on uniform essentials well ahead of time, but the range offers a 12-month guarantee, so parents can be rest assured that their money is going towards something that will last. To help kit kids out on a budget, the range includes a sweatshirt or a cardigan for £1.50, while a two pack of polo shirts are priced at £1.75. There's also trousers, skirts and cargo shorts that cost £1.75. That means, if parents were to bag one item of each, they will be spending just a fiver on a full school uniform, so they don't need to worry about breaking the bank at an already expensive time of year. All the items in the uniform bundle have been crafted from recycled polyester materials, with an assortment of colours and sizes available for children aged between four to 12 years old. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. However, while Aldi's school uniform range is back earlier than ever, allowing parents to beat the back to school rush, it can be popular. And, with Specialbuys, once they are gone, they are gone. So to avoid missing out, it's worth marking Sunday, June 29 on the calendar, as that is when the bundles will be back in stores nationwide. While Aldi has certainly gotten on the ball early with the upcoming arrival of its school uniform range, it is worth noting that many other supermarkets and high street retailers offer them closer to the time, so it's worth keeping an eye out for any future deals. Rival Lidl has also been known to launch its very own bundle for going back to school. While the German chain has not announced details for this year, it was available last year, also for £5, during July, making it another to keep an eye on over the coming weeks. Aldi's school uniform bundle is not the only upcoming Specialbuy that has shoppers excited, as the German chain has recently announced the launch of its new Premium Home Fragrance collection that costs under £4. Boasting an assortment of room sprays, reed diffusers and glass jar candles, the luxurious collection features three "timeless" scents that will uplift any home for spring and summer - bergamot & vanilla, lemon & neroli and mine & white tea. Aldi's Back to School Uniform range includes:
