Newquay Launches the new ‘Big Newquay’ Monthly Street Market with Backing from Community Levelling Up Programme

An initiative spearheaded by the Newquay Business Improvement District (Newquay BID) aims to establish a monthly street market, ‘Big Newquay Market’, to bolster local businesses and maintain town center footfall throughout the year. This effort has received a £42,366 grant from Cornwall Council’s Community Levelling Up Programme.

Funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Community Levelling Up Programme is managed by Cornwall Council for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The grant has facilitated the purchase of equipment, including gazebos, weights and tie-down kits, and trestle tables, to set up a monthly outdoor market in Newquay town center from April to December. Partnering with Cornwall Shop Small and Newquay Farmers Market, the events feature 40-50 local artisans, producers, and small businesses.

The equipment will also be available to support other outdoor markets and events in the area and can be rented by local businesses and community groups.

Mark Warren, Newquay BID Manager, stated, “This month, we utilized our fantastic new gazebos funded by Cornwall Council through the Community Levelling Up Programme at our monthly Big Newquay market. This is a huge opportunity for locals and businesses to enjoy and grow these monthly markets and to drive footfall all year round. We are already being approached by community groups who would like to use our new gazebos. This is a very exciting time for Newquay and without the funding, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for the economy and Cornwall councillor for Newquay Central and Pentire, remarked, “This project places local communities at the forefront of an initiative that extends trading opportunities beyond the typical seasonal activities, helping to revive the high street year-round. There is potential to include live music and family-friendly activities to enhance the visitor experience and create a destination event for tourists and locals, further boosting footfall in the town.”

Newquay Business Improvement District (Newquay BID) is a not-for-profit company run by individuals passionate about Newquay and its future. Their goal is to support local businesses by focusing on four key areas: Marketing, Events, Cleaner Greener Safer, and Business Support, ultimately driving footfall and revenue to Newquay and its businesses.