Historic market set to make city centre comeback

It’s back! Canterbury City Market will return to St George’s Street next Wednesday (17 July).

The historic market, which closed in December 2022, will operate every Wednesday from 8am to 4pm until 30 October to be followed by the city’s highly popular traditional Christmas market from 15 November.

Shoppers will be able to enjoy all sorts of local produce including breads, cakes, sauces and traditional lemonade as well as fruit and veg, retro clothes and soaps and candles.

After 18 months away, it is hoped this soft launch will kickstart the process of rebuilding the centuries-old market’s following feedback from stallholders, the public and nearby businesses having a huge role to play.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Alan Baldock, said: “The return of a market to Canterbury’s city centre after it was closed by our predecessors, sparking widespread protests, was one of our key promises and I am really looking forward to seeing that promise fulfilled.

“The city has had a market for almost 700 years with the ability to trade going back to 1453 so we know in our bones that it will be a success.

“The market will drive footfall for all surrounding businesses, add vibrancy and breathe yet more life into St George’s Street while adding to what our fantastic street traders and retailers based across the city have to offer.

“This is the start of the journey and markets develop a life of their own, attracting new and different businesses as they grow – the continental market that we host is a case in point.”

The traders lined up for next week are:

• Tana Medi, offering a host of Mediterranean delights
• Beardy B’s Lemonade
• Bailey Paws, offering dog products
• Nash Hotsauce
• Rica Homestyle, offering Jamaican-style marinades
• Boola Soaps & Candles
• Retro Remix, offering retro and vintage clothes
• GILDA Bakery
• The Boathouse Fisheries
• The Tipsy Bakery
• Fox and Bloom, offering natural soap and skincare products
• The Island of Gold, offering jewellery products

To help make the market a success, the council has appointed a Market Development Officer to liaise with existing traders and ensure they have what they need, make sure there is a good mix of products for sale, ensure quality and drive promotion of the market to find new stallholders and attract more and more visitors.

If you are interested in having a stall, please contact Market Development Officer Sharlaie Dunstan by emailing markets@canterbury.gov.uk.

The council will also explore the opportunities for other markets across the district.

There will be no market immediately after Christmas with a return planned for March next year.

Published: 9 July 2024