LOCAL artisan market, Market Fresh, is returning to Bangor next month with promises to be ‘bigger and better than ever’.
Following its last event in December, the popular market is set to make a comeback on Saturday, April 19 with over 40 stalls at a brand-new location in St Comgall’s Parish Centre on Brunswick Road.
Sharon Regan, organiser of Market Fresh, said: “This year we are going much bigger with the market, because looking at the success of the markets around the Christmas lights switch-on whenever we were able to offer much more variety and a greater number of stalls, I thought ‘that’s what people want now’.”
After a long search for a venue that ticks all the boxes, Sharon said she is ‘really looking forward’ to what’s to come as Market Fresh enters a new era.
“Whilst we have been at some lovely locations in the past, we just haven’t been able to get a location that could accommodate as many stalls.
“The new venue has a huge hall and an outdoor space, so that will allow us to have up to 50 stalls, so it really will be bigger and better this time,” she said.
Between 2019-2022, the market called Bangor seafront’s former Project 24 area home before being made to find an alternative location when Bangor Marine secured funding to deliver the Marine Gardens part of the long-awaited £50m Queen’s Parade redevelopment scheme. Since 2023, the market has been held in several spots, including Bangor Abbey, The Royal British Legion Hall, and City Church Bangor which held the last market as part of the Christmas light switch-on event in December 2024.
Speaking about the benefits of the new Brunswick Road venue, Sharon added: “It also means we’re not weather dependent, so the location is going to allow even in bad weather for a really good number of stalls.
“The other advantage is plenty of good parking in and around it – there’s a car park within the grounds and a lot of on-street parking – and it’s only a stone’s throw from the city centre.”
Previous markets have hosted an array of local makers, bakers and artists who sold a range of goods from ceramics to foods.
When asked what people can expect this time round, Sharon said there will be ‘plenty of choice’ to suit all who visit.
“We’ll have everything from fresh bakeries to jams, chutneys and hot sauces, lots of local arts and crafts, and this time we’re hoping to have antiques and vintage clothing as well. We will also have hot food and coffee vendors too.
“There will be plenty of choice, and we will have something for every budget.”
She also revealed that there will be a range of live music performances and that she is looking into children’s entertainment to have on the day.
“It will be really good to have live music, because as well as the larger variety of stalls, people really enjoy a market for meeting with friends, socialising, grabbing a cup of coffee, people watching and live music just helps that whole atmosphere and makes it more of a day out.”
Sharon and her team plan to keep a steadfast and bustling calendar in 2025, with plans to host Market Fresh in April, May and June, then returning in September, October and November.
She said she is excited to mark the Easter holidays with the return of Market Fresh.
“It will give people something to look forward to and to do in Bangor over the Easter weekend. I just hope the sun shines!”
Updates on the next Market Fresh can be found by following the page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/marketfreshbangor
