Ay-Up Market to return to Nottingham’ Old Market Square with 55 stalls
Vintage clothing, freshly baked goods, sweet treats, fine wine, and live music are just some of the goods that will be on offer at this year’s Ay-Up Market.
The market will showcase independent businesses in Nottingham from 16th-18th June in an event which celebrates Nottingham’s market history and innovative traders.
Ay-Up Market will host over 55 vendors across the three days, and visitors can expect to find freshly baked goods, sweet treats, fine wine, vintage clothing, plants, skincare, arts, crafts, and handmade jewellery on sale.
Some of the popular businesses taking part include Shop Zero, Slow Make Studio, Soul and Flare, Taste First, Treat Kitchen, Megan Crook Textiles, Sap Plants and Hallo Ceramics.
Heather Kirk, from Hallo Ceramics, said: “Last year’s Ay-UpMarket exceeded all our expectations and we are totally blown away by how amazing the entire weekend was.
“To be a part of such a strong, flourishing and welcoming community of Nottingham’s independent makers is something we truly treasure. As an independent trader at the market, it was without a doubt one of the most successful markets we’ve ever done. The footfall was incredible, the atmosphere was consistently positive and bustling and not to mention the comments we received about our products.”
Food and drink from Nottingham Street Food Club will be on offer, with cuisines from Caribbean food to Thai represented within Old Market Square. Food Traders include Prad Thai, Yello Yard, Carolina’s Chilli and MemSaab. There will also be a licensed bar throughout the weekend.
Alongside the market and food stalls, the event will include a full programme of live music and family-friendly performances, collectively arranged by local creative studio, Mimm, and Phlexx Records, in collaboration with DHP Family.
The Carousel, a work and event space for artists, small businesses and freelancers, will be hosting creative workshops over the weekend, and visitors can enjoy street performances from City Arts and Can Samba, among others.
Ay-Up Market shines a spotlight on some of Nottingham’s independent businesses and aims to boost footfall in the city centre by encouraging locals and visitors to sample some of the most creative goods and products from the area.
The event also gives small businesses important exposure to a wider audience and allows creatives to introduce their brands to more people.
Last year’s successful launch of the event saw popular local businesses such as 101 Vintage, No Homers Deli, and Studio Chocolate take to the famous Old Market Square - the historical meeting place for the people of Nottingham.
Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “Last year’s Ay-Up Market was a huge success, and we’re delighted to be able to bring it back for a second year in partnership with It’s in Nottingham. It’s a great opportunity for people to visit the city centre and discover Nottingham’s fantastic independent traders.”
The event has received £30,000 of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will be free to attend.