An evening of atmospheric entertainment, food and drink and shopping is planned to mark the official opening of the fantastic temporary Barrow Market.
With the units in the Mall and the Old Meat Hall now fully operational, a special twilight event is planned for Friday November 22 – the day before the Rotary Club of Furness's Santa Dash in aid of St Mary's Hospice and the Christmas Lights switch-on – to celebrate the temporary market being fully up and running after moving out of the Market Hall.
Norman and Susan Rhodes, retired butchers from the old meat hall, will be performing the official opening.
Traders supporting the event include Kick Ass Cheese, Coastline Brewery, Hart's, Flicker: Handmade by Lisa, Mane Man, Tuk's, Lynne's Menswear, Retro Cove, Crepes and Shakes, Angel Beauty, Mobile Man, Sillfield Farm, Tina's Custom Cakes and Confection, Chips Computers, Pet's Paradise, The Wool Baa, Chewy's Confectionary and Bentley's Bedding.
As well as the opportunity to pick up an early Christmas present or two, the free event from 4pm to 8pm will feature music from New Sass and Emma Sax and will also be supported by CanDo FM. There will also be mulled wine and mince pies, as well as a selection of wines and beers, on sale.
The event marks all the traders settling into their fantastic new homes while work starts on the multi-million pound rejuvenation of the Market Hall.
Retaining their reputation for excellent choice, value for money and great customer service, the new units in a specially-designed, modern spaces in The Mall and the Old Meat Hall, with access from Dalton Road, will be home for the traders for the next two years.
The Wool Baa, Pets Paradise, Chewy’s Confectionery, Bentley’s Bedding and Sillfield Farm are now trading in the former meat hall and join Chips Computers, Tina’s Custom Cakes & Confections and Mane Man. In the Mall are Mobile Man, Crepes & Shakes, Angel Beauty, Retro Cove, Lynne’s Menswear, Harts, Flicker – Handmade by Lisa and Tuk’s Thai foods.
Meanwhile, from December 2, Barrow Market will be open every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9am until 5pm, and every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am until 4pm - apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
There will also be late night shopping on Friday 6 December from 9am until 8pm.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said: "This weekend gives us a chance to get into the festive spirit, having fun at the official opening of the temporary Barrow Market.
"There will be lots to see and do and plenty of opportunities to start Christmas shopping at the excellent range of quality traders in the market."
The work is part of a £17.5 million government-funded scheme to reinvigorate the Market Hall and the public realm that surrounds it to attract more people into the town centre, bringing the community together and boosting the local economy.
As well as transforming the market, a Town Centre Community Hub will be created which will offer a welcoming new refurbished space which showcases local culture, activities and events, and provide meeting space.
The creation of a pocket park/outdoor events space off Dalton Road where three buildings were demolished will enable the delivery of a programme of events to encourage community participation and increase of the number of visitors to the town.