In 2019 we ran a Facebook campaign linked to Totally Locally Weymouth. We asked if people wanted a Weymouth Town Market again and got two and a half thousand positive responses. So we set about looking for a market organiser, and Best in Dorset stepped up.
We did not foresee a global pandemic would promptly put us all into three total Lockdowns during 2020/21. However, even with a pandemic, we tentatively started with a monthly Sunday market. It started with just seven stalls. In November 2021 ‘Best in Dorset’ and ‘Dorset Food and Drink’ got together, and with a bit of funding from the governments Welcome Back Fund, pushed to make it the biggest yet and 32 traders applied. Many of the stall holders were from Weymouth, and all were from Dorset.
It was fabulous, fresh breads, cakes, sourdough pizzas, hand made glass crafts, something for pets, fresh coffee beans, olives, even bespoke made gnomes if you want them. Topped off with singing from the Rock Choir, it wrapped itself around the White Hart pub in town. We hope the same traders come back in December for the last market before Christmas.
We are grateful to Best in Dorset, Dorset Food and Drink, the Welcome Back Fund for helping us make this happen. Also to Weymouth Town Centre Management Team, the Town Council, WeAreWeymouth/Weymouth BID, and the National Markets Traders Federation for supporting it.
Community working together can make a difference.