Plymouth supports West End Traders by announcing series of events

Four family fun themed events are to take place in Frankfort Gate this year in a bid by Plymouth’s City Centre Company to support independent traders in the West End of the city.

Located at Frankfort Gate, these events will be in addition to the already thriving annual events calendar that takes place in Britain’s Ocean City.

Each event will provide a unique offering for families to get involved with a range of exciting activities with the aim of driving footfall to this area.

Jon Walton, City Centre Manager, Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “With fewer and fewer people shopping local these days we need to be making even more of a conscious effort to support our small, independent businesses. Family traders just starting out generally open a shop in the West End as it’s more affordable for them but very few people take the time to explore the unique, high quality products they are selling.

“In order to attract more people to the area we are hosting four ‘Family Fun in Frankfort Gate’ events. Each event will have its own theme and provide a free day out for all the family.”

The first event, which is themed around the Children’s Olympics, will take place between 11am and 3pm on Saturday 2 July. Children of all ages can take part in six gaming stations, organised by Fizz Bug, in the fun fitness challenge to win Gold, Silver or Bronze medals.

In addition, families can take part in the West End Olympic Trail, winning a medal for each completed trail card. There will also be a selection of craft stalls offering a selection of goodies to buy.

Part of the Ocean City Festival, September’s event on Saturday 17, will be themed around nautical fun. Teaming up with the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery as well as Mountbatten Watersports Centre, families will be able to explore a range of watersports equipment as well as make their own ‘Fish & Ships’ in the craft area.

Saturday 22 October will see the biggest food fayre the West End has had. Michelin Star chef Peter Gorton will be providing a range of seasonal cooking demonstrations supported by Tamar Valley Foods. Visitors will be able to view these and explore the array of local food and drink traders in a farmer’s market style food fayre.

Children will be able to bring along their own carved pumpkins, or a dish they have made with the vegetable as part of a competition that will be judged by Peter himself.

The food fayre will launch the West End family food trail, where cafes and restaurants in the area will be providing special offers, discounts or new dishes to try during half term.

The final event will be based around the national Small Business Saturday celebrations on Saturday 3 December. Organised in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses, Plymouth will host a Christmas themed market. Traders will be selling handmade crafts such as Christmas cards, decorations, wreaths and jams and chutneys.

People new to business, or those thinking of setting up their own, will be invited to meet a range of experts that will be able to help support them. These will includes experts such as accountants, lawyers, solicitors and more.

Those attending any of the Family Fun in Frankfort Gate events can take advantage of cheaper parking in the Colin Campbell car park on those days. Anyone buying an hour parking will automatically get the second hour free.