Swindon pop-up style market given go-ahead after covid delay

By Jessica Durston - 27 September 2021

Arts and CultureAttractions

The Shop Small Swindon Makers Market aims to be held each month, now the organisers have a confirmed Old Town venue.

Lisa Lowe from OohLovelyLilo Ceramics, in her workshop
Shop Small Swindon was originally created back 2019 when a couple of Swindon creatives wanted to set up a Pop up shop and a market in the heart of Old Town.
 
Lisa Lowe from OohLovelyLilo Ceramics and Dona Bradley from Dona B illustrations joined forces, both wishing to work on their individual ideas and support each other. Dona had plans of holding a pop-up style market over the Christmas period and started discussions with the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery. 
 
Lisa expressed her shared idea of holding a Christmas market to showcase traders and craftspeople, and their wares. Lisa had discussions with the The Hop Inn on Devizes Road. Unfortunately covid-related issues delayed plans and there were further setbacks for Dona and Lisa as the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery closed. 
 
Now that lockdown restrictions have lifted, Shop Small Swindon Makers Market will be going ahead at the Hop Inn. 
 
Lisa said: "We are so delighted this artistan market is actually going to happen. Swindon has so many fabulous makers, artists and creative talented people with no regular venue to sell or promote their work or small businesses. 
 
"So many of us have to travel to Bath, Bristol and surrounding areas to attend markets and events, which is fine but having something local is also very important to us  and is good for the community and most definitely needed as we don't have anything like this in the heart of Old Town.
 
"We have been overwhelmed with the response to be a trader and have added so many wonderful small businesses to our waiting list and should these events be successful and we continue into 2022, we will ensure we have a rotation of all these fabulous businesses." 
 
Lisa said she has been able to book around 20 traders each month. The different stalls will be located upstairs and outside under the marquee at The Hop Inn. 
 
There will be a variety of different businesses taking part in the market days, in order to show the wide range of what is on offer within Swindon.  
 
Three 'Shop Small Swindon at The Hop Inn' dates have been confirmed for the remainder of this year: 
  • Sunday 24 October, 11am - 4pm
  • Sunday 21st November 11am - 4pm
  • Sunday 19th December 11am - 4pm

Lisa and Dona say they are not running these events for profit, but aim to have somewhere to promote their own work and other businesses within Swindon.

Lisa added: "The Hop inn are so supportive and have been supporting and showcasing artists on the pub walls for some time now. They have recently started doing delicious Sunday Roast Dinners, you can obviously get a drink too, have a browse and do a bit of unique artisan shopping. There will be an opportunity to meet local makers, all in a relaxed environment, right on your doorstep. It will be a good way to support your local community. What's not to like! We have something for everyone so pop along."  

More details of the events and the local businesses that will be showcased can be found on Instragram at https://www.instagram.com/shopsmallswindon/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shopsmallswindon

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