Musgrave Marketplace in Belfast is now open to the public!

Last week, we were very kindly invited along to a VIP Launch evening at the Musgrave Marketplace in Belfast. It was all to show that this business and traders only marketplace was now open to the public. I’ve never shopped in a cash & carry before but after this visit? It’s a wonder why we’d shop anywhere else! 

This was our first time visiting, in fact, before being invited I had no idea that this place even existed. I guess when you’re not a business owner or a trader, then why would I have known? However, I’m so pleased that I know about it now and that it’s available for the public, too.

From the outside, you can tell the marketplace is quite big, but it’s not until you walk inside that you really see how big it is. It’s so bright and modern in its appearance which is a result of their 1.1 million pound upgrade that was completed back in 2017.

The stock they have available is insane. From fresh & frozen food and vegetables, 100% Irish & traceable meat, restaurant-quality desserts, party food, household essentials and so much more. 

Everything you could possibly need – not everything is in bulk too! So if you’re not usually a bulk buyer, don’t let the words ‘cash and carry’ scare you off. The offers available and savings you can make alone should make you want to pop by for a browse. 

Upon our arrival. we were served up delicious canapes and desserts, that were all available from the Musgrave Marketplace and a selection of tasty drinks too. I had the two youngest kids with me, so I couldn’t indulge in the Baileys – but my goodness it looked incredible. 

After the chit-chat, drinks and nibbles we were given a tour of the marketplace in groups. There were people who managed each section e.g Frozen food, Homeware, Christmas stock etc. The tour was so interesting and we really got an insight into the food on the shelves and how much easier buying in bulk can be.

I have never personally thought {ever} about buying in bulk. We have quite a small kitchen, which means a small fridge/freezer. However, I could maybe make room for a chest freezer somewhere! Or I can dream! Some of the food can be bought chilled or frozen, which is really handy, especially in our case with minimal storage available. 

After the tour ended, we were kindly gifted some vouchers to spend in-store and in no time at all, the kids went in search of a trolley. The trolleys at Musgrave are massive – which makes sense considering everything is bigger! They also feel like your pushing a bus, especially when the 6yr old takes residence on it. But I guess that all adds to the fun. 

The kids and I had a lot of fun just walking around the huge aisles and casually having a browse. It was amusing watching the kids be amazed at the size of some of the products available. From the huge tubs of ice-cream or the buckets {yes, I said buckets} of hot chocolate! 

We did pick up a few things and one, in particular, was a huge pot – one of which I’ve been on the hunt for, for ages! It’s for my stews, soups and chili’s and for £22 it was a complete bargain. Brushed aluminium as well! The cookware section in the Musgrave Marketplace in Belfast will be seeing more of me, that’s for sure. I saw some really pretty gin glasses {which are one of the most popular items in the store, so we were told} with my name on them, too! 

We also picked up some chilled food, frozen food and sweets. Believe me when I say, once you enter the sweet aisle in Musgrave Marketplace, you cannot emerge empty-handed. I also picked up some gorgeous Christmas tinsel for my hallway and finally some chocolate drops {from their amazing baking section!} for our North Pole Breakfast chocolate fountain surprise – sssh! 

Oh, not leaving out the biggest box of Daz washing powder I have ever seen. It does 110 washes for under £10. Amazing and for a family as big as ours I do two wash loads per day! So this will come in incredibly handy, for us. 

We had a fab time at the VIP launch event – a huge thanks to the PR company and Musgrave Marketplace for inviting us along. We loved it and cannot wait to come back because those turkey, ham and stuffing portions are definitely being served up for our Christmas day {and Boxing day} dinner!

Also, the kids now think you’re in business with Willy Wonka due to the sweetie aisle! We may have picked up 4 boxes of penny sweets and I, for one, couldn’t be happier! 

If you live in Belfast and get a chance, pop over for a visit! Be sure to register online for your own shopping card on the Musgrave Marketplace website and enjoy! 

If you liked this post, you could maybe check out my post about our day at the Ulster Museum & Belfast Botanic Gardens. 

Disclosure: We were invited along to this VIP launch event and gifted a voucher to spend in-store. Some photos from the official photographer at the event and the rest are my own.