Markets’ Inner Street to host arts, crafts, music and theatre
ARTS, crafts, music and theatre will all play a role in the revitalisation of the Town Market’s inner street, attendees at a special presentation heard.
Plans for the future of the area were not just about creating retail space, but about offering a cultural experience and a comfortable social space, said Bailiwick Estates’ director Sonia Taylor.
The company is the managing agent for the market on behalf of McAulay Ltd, and the plans and concepts have been drawn up by architects Tyrrell Dowinton Associates.
Monday’s presentation was aimed at those who might be interested in setting up shop in one of eight stalls that are to be made available.
An animated fly-through video showed how the new inner street might look, with a mezzanine floor at the western end, with eight stalls beneath.
While about one-third of the space will feature the stalls, a central area where drinks will be available will occupy some of the remaining area, along with a food outlet and seating space.
A lift will be available to take people up to the mezzanine, which Ms Taylor said could be used to host exhibitions.
‘The main thing to create a market experience is consistency,’ she said, adding that in order to achieve this the company wanted all stall holders to open from Tuesday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm.
This, she said, would enable the stalls to capture the breakfast market as well as evening shoppers.
A six-month rent-free lease was referred to on the information being provided to interested traders, but Ms Taylor said this could be negotiated.
Ideally, they would like stall holders to sign a two- to three-year lease.
Events such as Fresh Friday and the Saturday craft market will continue, she said, but more was being planned: ‘We are talking to some people who are bringing over some fairly substantial acts, not just music but comedy and theatre.’
McAulay director Brett Allen has been involved with the market redevelopment from the start and he too stressed the importance of community: ‘It’s all about complementing [what’s here],’ he said.
He said the aim was to make the area a ‘nodal site’ where people could meet.
n A second presentation evening is due to take place in the Inner Street on Wednesday 16 January. Anyone interested in operating a stall should apply to Bailiwick Estates by 31 January on 714243.
