Derry’s first street food market set to open: ‘Something like Common Market in Belfast’

The street food scene in the city has grown rapidly over recent years with Pyke ‘n’ Pommes leading the way.

Eoghan Devine and Jessie Walton, joint owners of Bee Eaters street food van, have been part of that vibrant development.

They are currently based at the Bay Road in the city which is a popular area for walkers because of the greenway connecting to the quay which was recently upgraded with a new bridge.

The business partners will join five other vendors as part of the Clipper Quay Street Food Market.

The intention is for the opening to coincide with the Foyle Maritime Festival which is expected to attract 150,000 visitors – most of whom flock to the quay for events and activities.

There will also be an official launch party on July 5 and 6.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Eoghan explained that he started out as a kitchen porter at BRØN café in the city centre where Jessie was the head chef.

“After I got some training we decided to go out ourselves and bought a wee truck,” he said.

“We originally opened at Lisnagelvin (in the Waterside area of the city) in April 2023 before moving to the Bay Road in September and that’s when we really took off.

“There has been a massive difference, we got a nice spot down there with a coffee truck beside us.

“Social media, Instagram has helped, we got a decent following and we would get a lot of people who found out about us through there. And we take pre-orders and phone orders.”

They are happy to be part of a thriving food scene in Derry.

“The food market sounds like a great idea,” Eoghan said, “and it’s going to be all local businesses in there.

“They wanted to go for something like the Common Market in Belfast.

“We approached last year about the project and then after Christmas they had formulated more of a plan and I said ‘yes’ because it sounded like a great idea.”

Bee Eaters intend on retaining their Bay Road location and to expand the business by opening in the new food market along the riverfront.

“The 27th of June is the opening day, the same day as the Maritime Festival. The quay is very, very busy then so we want to be open then to have a good start,” Eoghan said.

“There will be a lot of visitors from all over the country and that could help build a name for us all.

“I’m very excited and a bit nervous as well, there’s so much to do and it’s only a month away.

“It’s something different to working in a wee van. The difference in the building now to when I was first in it is night and day.

“It was like an abandoned building before, now the kitchens are nearly put together.

“You will have two stories with kitchens downstairs and some seating, then the second floor all seating and also making use of the outdoor space. There will be a bar there as well, so it will be a good spot.”