Christmas market comes to Markets building
THEY are popular in many places and from today – and every Thursday and Saturday until Christmas – Guernsey will have its own Christmas market.
It will be set up in the former flower market, most recently occupied by HMV, in the Market Buildings.
However the search for a long-term tenant for the iconic site is still continuing.
The markets will run from 9am and offer islanders a different shopping experience.
The building has undergone extensive redecoration and refurbishment since the departure of its former tenants and Bailiwick Estates is keeping its options open for the future.
Managing director Sonia Taylor said they were keen to get in a tenant.
‘Our long-term plan has got us currently looking for a tenant for the space,’ she said.
‘We have the option to split the space into two using a glass divide between the central pillars, but we have had some interest in the space being used as a whole which would be ideal and something we would prefer,’ she said.
‘Since we have cleared out the former occupant’s shop fit, the whole unit has been redecorated and refurbished which cost a lot.
‘We had to scaffold the inside to be able to paint and we still have some remedial work to sort out some of the damp which is still finding its way through the granite.’
The property had been home to HMV until February. The retailer collapsed and was taken over by Sunrise Records, the Guernsey shop was one of 27 to close. Seven people were made redundant.
It took several months to clear the building of the items left behind.
Throughout the festive period however the building is being utilised to its full potential with the arrival of the markets.
Sprawled throughout the refurbished building, out into the square and up on the terrace there will be a variety of Christmas stalls, food, games and carol singers.
There will also be a Christmas photo room, being constructed by Access Scaffolding, for islanders to come down and get a festive picture of all the family.
Ms Taylor added: ‘Our aim here is to give people a different reason to visit the area and ensuring we keep this as being the heart of the town really.’
. The markets will run 9am to 9pm on Thursdays and then 9am to 5.30pm on Saturdays. For more information email Sophie Streeter at events@bailiwickestates.com
