Love in the air for the return of the Sunday Market

By Jess Carrascalao Heard

Love will be the theme at NewQuay Promenade this February, with Valentine’s Day celebrations ringing in the first Docklands Community Sunday Craft/Farmers Market for 2021.

The market, which will take place on Sunday, February 14, will feature live entertainment by classical guitarist Alejandro Aguanca and singer Inoxia.

There will also be gift stalls, with wares ranging from jewellery and accessories to homewares and artwork.

Eileen Fiederling, co-ordinator of the Docklands Community Sunday Craft/Farmers’ Market, will also provide another essential Valentine’s Day touch.

“We have the roses now. I do the roses myself. We have single roses,” she said.

The event will be COVID-safe, with hand sanitiser available, tap-and-go payment encouraged, social distancing measures, and a request for customers to ask stallholders for help rather than handling wares themselves.

The market on Valentine’s Day will take place with the support of the Docklands Chamber of Commerce (DCC).

Mrs Fiederling said she approached the business group for Valentine’s Day celebrations after their support for last year’s Christmas market.

DCC president Johanna Maxwell said the Christmas market brought around 5000 people to the area.

As well as adding spark, she said it gave visitors the opportunity to see what else Docklands had to offer.

“It’s important for us to support things that will bring visitation back to Docklands, which will then support business,” Mrs Maxwell said.

Mrs Fiederling agreed, and hoped the Valentine’s Day celebrations would do the same.

“We hope it encourages people to come down to Docklands too, maybe have some lunch and [do] some shopping,” she said.

Takeaway food and coffee will be available at the market, and cafés and restaurants along NewQuay Promenade will also be open.

Mrs Fiederling said she was really looking forward to the return of the market to the area.

“I think it gives colour, and life, and movement. And I think it is a beautiful space for people,” she said.

“It is such a special place.”

The market will take place at on Sunday, February 14 at NewQuay Promenade. Admission is free •