Residents and businesses 'surprised' as pop-up market arrives on Morecambe Promenade

Friday, 16 June 2023 06:11

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Stalls being set up on the Promenade on Thursday evening ahead of the market opening on Friday

A massive international market has arrived on Morecambe Promenade much to the surprise of residents and businesses.

The three-day market, selling food and other goods from around the world, began setting up on the seafront on Thursday.

It will be open from Friday until Sunday with dozens of stalls stretching from opposite Northumberland Street down to near the Clock Tower on the Promenade.

The market will be selling world street food including Jamaican, Lebanese, Mexican and Indian, clothes, gifts, accessories, jewellery and much more, from all over the globe.

It is open on Friday and Saturday (June 16 and 17) from 10am to 7pm, and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

But a local body representing Morecambe town centre businesses said they were "surprised" to see the market arrive and were "disappointed" not to have been involved.

Ruth Wilkinson, chair of Morecambe BID (Business Improvement District), encouraged residents to also support local businesses over the weekend.

"As Morecambe BID, we are committed to bringing tourism and events to Morecambe," she said, speaking to Beyond Radio.

"It's a main pillar of our commitment to the local businesses we represent. As such we welcome the idea of markets and market days, and we are pleased to see the European market here for the three-day weekend. Our recent involvement in Baylight '23 saw local independent businesses being involved in the event bringing an estimated £1m into the local economy.

"However we are disappointed not to have been involved in this weekend's market going ahead.

"Had we been, we would have ensured there were opportunities for our local businesses to be involved, had stalls themselves or even spread out the market to the different areas of Morecambe to encourage visitors to visit the local independent shops, hospitality and cafes along the route.

"We hope everyone visiting the markets this weekend has a great time, and also pops into our local eateries, shops and cafes whilst they are with us."

A separate statement issued on behalf of Morecambe BID said:

"Morecambe BID were surprised to see this evening a European Market being set up in the central promenade, which is with us this weekend.

"It would seem this arrangement has been made without any consultation of Morecambe BID. When Morecambe BID was approached in March of this year we expressed concern that the suggested site of the European Market may not help in supporting our local businesses.

"As much as we welcome new and exciting opportunities for our residents of Morecambe and visitors, and hope anyone visiting the market has a lovely time, we would ask our residents and visitors to remember the doors of our independent and local businesses are open for you to visit, our local independent business owners are here for you all year round and rely upon your trade and custom.

"We hope that our visitors and residents will continue to visit our local independent businesses over the coming weekend."

One Morecambe business said the market "looks brilliant".

Afters Dessert Parlour on Euston Road, posting on their Facebook page, said: "Massive market being set up on the Prom. It's going to be on for the next three days.

"Pity there hasn't been any advertising for it because it looks brilliant. Good to see things happening in Morecambe."

Residents were also surprised to see the market arrive, agreeing that it hadn't been publicised.

"I'm looking forward to going, it looks great, but I didn't know anything about it," said a resident who spoke to Beyond Radio on Morecambe Promenade on Thursday evening, as stalls were being set up.

Several local councillors have also said that they didn't know the market was happening.

The market was given permission to trade on the Promenade by Lancaster City Council, who own the land.

A spokesperson for Lancaster City Council said: "Morecambe International Market is a private booking made by Market Place Europe Limited.

"As with all other privately run public events booked to take place on council land, it is the sole responsibility of the organiser to deliver its own promotional campaign, with support from the council via its own channels (if requested).

"In terms of its location, we have been advised that Market Place did undertake some consultation when developing their plans and considered other locations, but unfortunately the town centre was not possible due to the size of the event.

"Morecambe has not held a continental market for many years and we hope it will provide an opportunity for local people to enjoy while bringing in extra footfall that will benefit local businesses and the event."

Meanwhile organisers of the weekly Morecambe Promenade Parkrun have announced that Saturday's fun run on the seafront has had to be cancelled as the market occupies part of the course.

"Apologies about the late notice, but we just found out about a food festival occupying part of our route on the prom," said a post on the Morecambe Prom Parkrun Facebook page.

"Following a course inspection this morning, we can't safely stage the event."