The director of the Belfast Christmas Market hopes the break in roadworks ahead of Christmas will quell concerns following recent traffic congestion in the city.

Some traders have said so congestion in central Belfastwhich is being blamed on roadworks and the opening of a new multi-million pound transport hub, is causing a drop in visitor numbers and affecting local businesses.

The Bavarian-style market will open its doors to the public at lunchtime on Saturday, hours before the city’s Christmas lights start.

The market is celebrating its 20th year and expects around one million visitors over its five-week period.

Allan Hartwell, chief executive of the Market Place which runs the Christmas event, said he first heard about the traffic problems shortly before he arrived in town to set up the market.

“I was really worried, but we arrived on Saturday and on Sunday I took a walk around the city and it boomed, it raised.

“Because of all this road work going on, I was really surprised that the weekends have been absolutely busy.”

He said the suspension of non-essential roadworks on Belfast routes, which is scheduled for November 25, should ease concerns.

Mary Taylor has run her clothing stall in Belfast market for seven years – surviving setbacks caused by the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

“I love this town, the people are lovely here, very friendly, and we always have a successful market no matter what the weather is or what’s going on,” she said.

Ms Taylor said she does not think the latest congestion will have too much of an effect on business.

“If the people want to come to the market they will come, however they come here by bus, train or car, they will come so no it doesn’t worry me,” she added.

The Belfast Christmas Market first ran as a pilot project in 2004 with 34 traders, the vast majority from France, Germany and the Netherlands.

“When we started we were concerned about the lack of professional market traders within Northern Ireland,” Hartwell said.

“There weren’t a lot of markets operating with full-time traders, and not traders who could sustain a five-week market.”

A new contract was negotiated and a partnership with nearby St George’s Market established to ensure local businesses are represented.

Now around 50% of the 100 stalls in operation are owned by local traders, Mr Hartwell added.

This year, a cottage has been set aside in an excellent location for six young entrepreneurs to operate for free in the market.

Another initiative run by the Market Place, called the Jolly Big Business Boost, allows a local business to operate in the market at no cost.

The winner, Emma Goodman from Lurgan in County Armagh, said she was shocked when she received the good news.

Ms Goodman, who was inspired to start her dog accessories business after struggling with infertility, watched the competition while recovering from surgery earlier this year.

“I thought I’m probably not going to win it, I’m just coming in to get experience and I almost died when I got the phone call,” she said.

She hopes the opportunity will allow her to grow her business and build a network.

There are other markets across Northern Ireland in the lead up to Christmas, such as Flowerfield Art Centre’s Christmas Craft Market in Portstewart.

It operates six days a week and has a number of local traders. It is run by the Causeway Coast and Glens Council, enabling businesses to cut staff costs.

Geri Martin, who runs an artisan chocolate shop in Castlerock, said the experience is invaluable during the business’ busiest time of year.

“I can’t afford to send someone to stand at a Christmas market,” she explained.

“It is such a difficult time of year for us as we are so busy with all our business work and Christmas gifts so the way it has been set up is fantastic and every year we see our sales grow.

“Companies really have to bide their time… and that’s a huge risk because you don’t know how well the market is going to do.”

Fiona Shannon, who is from Portstewart, has been selling her pottery at Flowerfield for a number of years.

“It’s a great market to be a part of,” she said.

“A lot of local people have started coming and supporting it and it’s worked really well for me as a business.”

Shannon said about 35 local businesses make up Flowerfield’s market.

“There’s such a range of things now that people can basically do all their shopping under one roof,” she added.

Belfast Christmas Market opens at 12:00 on Saturday 16 November and runs daily until 18:00 GMT on Sunday 22 December.

The market will operate from 10:00 and close at 20:00 (bars open until 21:00) from Monday to Wednesday and 22:00 (bars open until 23:00) from Thursday to Saturday.

On a Sunday, the gates open a little later at noon, with the earlier closing time of 6:00 p.m.

The market’s opening day coincides with the Christmas lights switch on in Belfast later on Saturday, with a number of city center roads set to be closed.