Local traders have expressed their joy and excitement that for the very first time this year Shoreham Artisans’ Market will take place on Saturday (April 26).
Around 40 stalls will entice customers offering unique and lovingly-made products at the Adur Markets-run event, the first since October last year, following the easing of national lockdown restrictions.
Among the arts and crafts will be recycled and upcycled pieces, candles, soaps, flowers and plants, as well as some artisanal food and drink - with breads, cakes, pickles, wines and beers on offer.
From now traders will be returning on the fourth Saturday of every month at Tarmount Lane Car Park.
Adur District Council is running the markets in line with Government guidelines around Coronavirus, which means non-essential retail businesses can now sell their goods in stores and on stalls.
Restrictions are in place to ensure social distancing, and the safety of the public, staff and traders.
Caroline Pettett owns Caroline Crafts, and has been running a stall at Adur Markets since 2017, selling unique, handmade products. She said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back. It’s going to be so nice to be out on the stall again, talking to customers, being around the other stallholders and seeing all of the products on offer, we’ve all missed it very much.
“It’s been difficult not being able to operate for so long, because I do rely on being able to run a stall, but I’m lucky that I work part time as well.
“I am involved with a few other markets, but the Shoreham Artisans’ Market is the one I sell at the most and it’s an amazing market. I love the community in Shoreham and it's great to actually see customers face-to-face.”
Photo: Caroline Pettett of Caroline Crafts sells handmade items
As the Government ruled open-air food and drink stalls could continue to trade, the Shoreham Farmers’ Market has been operating safely since last year and takes place on every second Saturday of the month.
Nigel Dewey, who manages Adur Markets on behalf of the Council, said:
“We are extremely delighted to welcome the return of the Shoreham Artisans’ Market, after what has been an incredibly difficult period of uncertainty for all of our traders.
“While some sell their products online, many rely solely on physical trade, and have been unable to operate at all.
“As we follow the roadmap out of lockdown, we now hope for a better and brighter future for all of the local businesses that are loved by our community.”
The Shoreham Artisans' Market will run at Tarmount Lane Car Park, Shoreham-by-Sea, between 10am and 2pm on every fourth Saturday of the month.
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