An Old Town retailer has been honoured by Hull Civic Society for her work in launching an outdoor market which is credited with playing a big part in the area’s renaissance.
Julie Buffey was presented with one of the Society’s Good Mark Awards in recognition of the success of the market, which was launched last year in Trinity Square and is held every month.
In announcing the award Hull Civic Society’s assessors said: “Julie has demonstrated just what can be achieved by one person’s ambition and through being prepared to devote time and effort in working with others, in an effective partnership.”
Julie responded: “I just feel honoured by the award and when I read the citation I became quite emotional.”
Julie also runs the Roisin Dubh shop, which she opened in Hepworths Arcade three years ago with her mother, Shirley O’Neill. She came up with the idea of a regular market to try and increase footfall in the area, and she credits BBC Radio Humberside presenter David “Burnsy” Burns with making her do something about it.
“I bumped into Burnsy in the Kings Ale House in Trinity Square and suggested it would be nice to have regular market,” she said.
“The next thing I knew I was being interviewed live on his show, so I just had to get on with it and make it work.”
HullBID provided the initial 18 market stalls followed by an additional three, with Hull City Council also supplying three. The number of regular traders stands at about 22 and the aim is to offer something different.
“Our shop is different,” said Julie.
“We sell shabby chic with a touch of vintage, and it led directly to the idea of the market. Some people were asking me if I could sell things that they had made and others were saying how much they missed the market, so I just put things together.”
Julie lobbied senior members of Hull City Council for permission to run a market based on craft products and after getting a positive response she launched last August. Traders arrive on the first Friday of every month and business is improving as awareness grows.
The next market on Friday 3 May will have a strong fashion theme to tie in with the HullBID Fashion Week. Julie has plans for an additional market in June to coincide with the Lord Mayor’s Parade and in July she is considering adding a treasure hunt to drive people to Old Town retailers.
The citation from Hull Civic Society added: “Julie has shown great determination and dedication in lobbying hard for the return of a regular market in Trinity Square and has, almost on her own, succeeded in re-opening the market as a monthly event.
“This award is presented to Julie in recognition of her drive and determination in contributing to the heritage of the Old Town and for laying a significant piece in the jigsaw of the Old Town renaissance.”
Julie said: “The citation reflects the reasons that I wanted to do the market in the first place. It’s nice that they think I have added a significant piece to the jigsaw. For my part I’m grateful to HullBID, Hull City Council and the other businesses that have helped so much.”
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “We have worked hard in partnership with businesses and Hull City Council to promote Whitefriargate and the Old Town and when Julie came up with the market we thought it was a fantastic idea.
“We provide the majority of the market stalls and our BID Support Officers erect the market and then take it down again afterwards. There is evidence that the market is helping to increase footfall in the Old Town whilst reinvigorating interest in the Trinity Indoor Market and we will continue to support Julie and other businesses to try and build on that.”
Pictured: From left, John Netherwood, chairman of Hull Civic Society, Julie Buffey, and Paul Schofield, committee member of Hull Civic Society, in Trinity Square. (Photographer: Kate Woolhouse, Hull Daily Mail)
