Residents in Urmston and the surrounding areas are being encouraged to help local traders get back on their feet by continuing to support a series of fully COVID-compliant community pop up markets.
The markets are taking place on the Market 41 site, on Railway Road in Urmston, throughout August.
The first pop-up market event took place last Saturday and was met with huge success. Showcasing a total of 15 local traders selling a mix of cakes and bakes, gifts, flowers, crafts, home décor and jewellery and complemented by a fully-licensed bar, it attracted more than 1,000 people from the local community coming out to show their support.
Further markets will follow the same format and take place from 10am-4pm on Saturday 15th, Saturday 22nd and Saturday 29th August.
Gemma Marshall, from Gems Delicious Treats, and Mark Rackham, from The Barking Dog, are the driving force pair behind the initiative. Both felt that Urmstonians would welcome the chance to support their local traders and reignite the retail and hospitality sector by attending a well organised, socially distanced and COVID-compliant market to enjoy a bite to eat and drink, and a bit of shopping during the summer months.
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Designed to provide a much-needed boost to the local economy and encourage people back out to shop and socialise in a safe, open air environment, the pop-up markets are being held in association with the Urmston Partnership, Love Urmston and Market 41.
Urmston Community Pop-Up Markets
Gemma said: “We had originally planned to host a pop up market on the Market 41 site earlier this year, but it was cancelled due to lockdown. I always have such a great response to pop up markets, both from local traders, many of whom do not have a shop front, and local residents.
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“Saturday was a huge success and it was super to see so many people enjoying the event [so] we really hope more people will come out and show their support over the next three weeks.”
Mark added: “We followed government guidelines closely in the development of the market and are confident that the format works well to ensure everyone can enjoy the event fully without any concerns about overcrowding or personal space.
“We really hope that these events enable local traders to get back up and running again in safe and well managed open air environment.”
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Urmston Commuity Pop-Up Markets
Working closely with Trafford Council, organisers have ensured that pop-ups comply fully with current COVID-19 guidelines. This means that trader stalls and gazebos are carefully positioned two metres apart, there is a two-metre distance between dining and seating areas, and a one-way system with two-metre floor markers is in operation to ensure appropriate social distancing.
Numbers in and out of the markets were also carefully managed to ensure the designated maximum capacity for the site was never exceeded and everyone had enough space to enjoy the event safely.
The McGoff Group was also happy to support the initiative by providing the Market 41 site free of charge for the events.
Paul Danks – Business Development Director at McGoff Group – said: “We are pleased to be able to provide the Market 41 site for the pop up community markets and wish the events every success. As an Urmston resident myself, I’m looking forward to dropping in.”
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Come on Urmston – Make sure you show up in style this weekend.
Are you a local trader interested in a stall at one of the forthcoming Urmston Community Pop-Up Markets? You can contact Gemma Marshall on 07873 297590 to discuss more.
What's On
Giant inflatable monsters descend on Manchester again next month for their BIGGEST celebration to date
Emily Sergeant
Halloween in the City returns next month with its biggest celebration ever to mark a decade of monster mayhem.
Organised by Manchester BID and sponsored by British confectionery maker, Swizzels, Halloween in the City will be back in Manchester city centre next month once the spooky season arrives – bringing a free weekend of family-friendly fun and spectacular street entertainment.
To mark a decade of monster mayhem, the two-day celebration will bring the city to life with walkabout performers, party games, live DJs, spooky storytelling, and a spectacular roaming procession.
There’s also set to be brand-new birthday bake off this year to celebrate the big 10, and everyone is invited to join the party
But, of course, at the heart of the celebrations will be giant inflatable monsters.
The MCR Monsters are back next month / Credit: CityCo & Manchester BID
The MCR Monsters have been a staple in Manchester’s Halloween celebrations for a decade now, and this year, they’re going all out across the city’s iconic buildings and landmarks.
Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas, and brought to life by Designs in Air, the giant inflatable creatures will make their way into the city for their longest trail to date, celebrating eight days of monster mischief over October half term from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October.
Visitors can expect a city-wide monster invasion at locations – including Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, Selfridges Exchange Square, Corn Exchange Manchester, Printworks, Science and Industry Museum, The Royal Exchange Manchester, Treehouse Hotel Manchester, AO Arena, KAMPUS, Mayfield Park, and Medlock Square.
It’s set to be the biggest celebrations to date to mark a decade of monster mayhem / Credit: Supplied
Then, the big Halloween in the City Weekender will take place on Saturday 24 October from 10am-6pm and Sunday 25 October from 10am-5pm.
Some of the activities on the Weekender lineup this year include a live storytelling performance by Z-Arts in Manchester Arndale, a big Monsters Disco over in Exchange Square, a Rave Yard with resident evil DJs in St Ann’s Square, the Swizzels Spooky Sweet Stop on New Cathedral Street – which is new for 2026 – and then the main event, The Monsters Party Procession.
Designed and created by Walk the Plank, The Monsters Party Procession will ‘bash, boogie, and stomp’ its way through Market Street and Manchester Arndale, so expect dancing monster puppets, towering stilt walkers, and a six-piece brass band suitably spooky soundtrack.
And, of course, no monster birthday would be complete without a Halloween dress-up, which everyone is encouraged to join in with.
Halloween in the City returns from Saturday 24 October, and you can find out everything happening over the eight-day period online here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
A FREE shopping event dedicated to saving students money is returning to Manchester Arndale
Thomas Melia
One of the city centre’s most popular shopping events helping students save money is returning to Manchester Arndale and the city centre.
MCR Student Socialis heading back to the city with its big discounts, freebies, giveaways and plenty of entertainment to keep you busy while you browse.
This interactive shopping event encourages new and current students to wander roundManchester Arndaleand the surrounding streets while snapping up some seriously good deals.
Expect discounts of up to 50% off at 120 stores including big high street retailers like Champion, Søstrene Grene, Selfridges, Sephora, and Berghaus.
This incredible 50% off deal continues into some of Manchester Arndale’s big-name food vendors like Wingstop, Archie’s, Barburrito, Sides, HOP Vietnamese and more.
If you’re after carrying thatZara Larssonenergy into your next academic year, the Arndale’s Rhinestone Rodeo celebration includes a Charm Bar in Exchange Court, where you can turn photos into personalised charms.
No shopping trip is complete without a matcha in-hand and you can bag yourself a free hot or iced drink in Exchange Court at the Cult Beauty Matcha Station.
Look out for our Audio North truck on Market StreetThe Manchester Arndale MCR Student Social is back
There’s even the Arndale’s Party Tuk Tuk which will be roaming around the city-centre shopping complex blasting out hip-hop tunes and some of your song requests.
Just outside Manchester Arndale on Market Street, there’s plenty of activities split across three dedicated zones, like Food & Drink by familiar foodie faces like Franco Manca and Great British Doner.
The Party Zone will be buzzing as Footasylum, Museum of Illusions and Urban Playground all unite, while there’s plenty of giveaways over at the Info Zone with brands like Science + Industry Museum and RSPB.
And, our very ownAudio North x The Manc DJ Truck is soundtracking Market Street with student DJs playing out everything from dance and funk to classic party anthems.
MCR Student Social is taking place on Thursday 24 September at Manchester Arndale from 12pm to 7pm and you can find more information via its official websiteHERE.
Emily Sergeant -
12th August 2020 
