A new monthly street market has been introduced to a popular tourist town in Cornwall in a bid to increase footfall outside of the main holiday season.
Newquay Business Improvement District (Newquay BID) has initiated the regular market, backed with a grant of £42,366 from Cornwall Council’s Community Levelling Up Programme.
The mission of the community-driven street market revolves around backing businesses in Newquay and increasing town centre footfall outside of the peak tourist season.
Funded by the UK government, the Programme's fund is managed by Cornwall Council on behalf of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The money will help generate items like gazebos, weights, tie-down kits and trestle tables, facilitating the market's functioning.
It will run monthly from April to December in Newquay town centre.
Working with Cornwall Shop Small and Newquay Farmers Market, the events will spotlight 40 to 50 makers, producers, and small-scale businesses.
The equipment obtained with this funding will not be limited to the market alone.
It will be available for other outdoor events in the area, or for hire to businesses and community groups.
Mark Warren, Newquay BID manager, said: "This month we used our fantastic new gazebos funded by Cornwall Council through the Community Levelling Up Programme, at our monthly Big Newquay market.
"This is a huge opportunity for locals and businesses to enjoy and grow these monthly markets and to drive footfall all year round.
"We are already being approached by community groups who would like to use our new gazebos."
He also added that this is an exciting time for the town.
Louis Gardner, Cornwall Councillor for Newquay Central and Pentire, said: "This project puts the local communities at the heart of delivering an initiative that extends the opportunity to trade beyond the usual seasonal activity that will help reignite the potential of the high street all year round.
"With potential to extend to offer to include live music and family-friendly activities to enhance the visitor experience and create a destination event for tourists and locals to further drive footfall to the town."
Newquay BID is a not-for-profit limited company steered by people who harbour a deep passion for Newquay and its bright future.
Their intent centres around backing businesses through numerous endeavours, ultimately increasing footfall and income for Newquay and its businesses.
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