A Nottinghamshire town is set to have its market place transformed into a free urban beach this summer. Newark's Market Place will have a large beach area similar to the one put on in Nottingham in recent years from Saturday, August 6 to Sunday, August 21 to encourage more visitors into the town centre.
The 18m by 4m beach area will have plenty of deck chairs, beach huts, a tiki bar, and plenty of buckets and spades. There will also be the sound of waves and street food and ice cream will be available.
A programme of daily activities has been organised, including sand castle competitions, local bands, sea side shows and face painting. The beach is one of many events planned for the town centre, and is being delivered by Newark Town Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council.
This beach is being provided as part of the Cultural Heart of Newark project, which is one of nine projects identified within the Town Investment Plan. A consultation showed that more than 80% of respondents thought more events will have the greatest positive impact on the town, and so the project hopes to provide a diverse annual programme of events and activities in the town to help increase growth in footfall, dwell time and consumer spending.
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Ian Harrison, markets manager of Newark Town Council, said: "This project enables us to continue with and improve the provision of music and street entertainment in and around the Market Place and town centre; building on what we started to provide in 2021 to help encourage people back into our beautiful town centre following the pandemic lock-downs. People’s shopping habits have changed and nationally all town centres have been affected by the increased use of on-line shopping etc.
"Data from the footfall counters in the town centre have reinforced our belief that events and entertainment encourage people to return to the town centre, to dwell longer and to visit our local shops and hospitality. Newark On Sea will be the first significant event of the project."
He continued: "We especially want to attract young families back into the town centre and we hope that this initiative will help to do that. Importantly, at this time of pressures on household budgets, the beach and entertainment will be free to all and we hope many families both from the Newark area and beyond will make a visit and enjoy some seaside atmosphere in what I am sure is one of the most beautiful market places in the UK."
As the project is developed, further regular initiatives and activities will be announced in addition to annual events, including the Book Festival and Traditions Festival.
Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Co-Chair of Newark Towns Fund Board said: "When you thought you’d seen it all, we thought we’d bring the seaside to you, and what a great summer attraction it will be. It will be lovely to see the joy on the faces of young and old alike as they enjoy the programme of activity on the beach.
"We are committed to ensuring that we encourage as many people into our local town centres as possible and events, such as this, are a brilliant way to help the local economy recover after the pandemic.” Mr Harrison added: “Sometimes perhaps, we have a tendency to take for granted just what a beautiful town Newark is and dwell on the negatives.
"Our aim is to reinforce the positives, build back civic pride and enable Newark town centre to once again become a thriving place of destination.”
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