Watch as we find out about the Summer Market coming to Metquarter with Art Quarter Liverpool

Metquarter Liverpool is set to host a Summer Market at the end of July.

Around 40 small businesses and local makers will be showing and selling their work when The Art Quarter Liverpool hosts a Summer Market at the end of July.

It follows the success of its winter market, held just before Christmas last year, and will take place in Metquarter, home of the co-operative of artists who have organised this free event.

Matthew Storrow, 38, one of the 11 resident artists and creator of Risograph prints and laser-etched works, says: “The Art Quarter Liverpool has been in Metquarter for about four years now and we are working with Metquarter to put on a market for summer after the success of our Christmas one.

“We’re going to have about 40 stalls and local indie businesses, from printmakers to textiles, and glassware to food producers – like honey from local beekeepers – and, because it’s at Metquarter it’s all indoors so people don’t have to worry about the weather!”

There’ll be live music throughout the event which will be on from 11am to 5pm, along with a children’s workshop which will be hands-on craft focused sessions.

Matthew adds: “The Summer Market is on Saturday, 29^th July, which is the same day as the Liverpool Pride march so we are hoping we can tie in with that with some Pride-themed activities.”

Visitors will get the chance to see and buy work from The Art Quarter Liverpool’s resident artists – like photographer Neal Dawson who renders his work on stone, Sandra Hepworth who creates intricate textile collages, loose ink pieces by Freida McKitrick, and more – some of whom will be there on the day helping to run the market.

“The cool thing about The Art Quarter Liverpool is that it’s staffed and run by the artists themselves so they’re bringing in new stuff every day and, because you are dealing with them directly, prices are more affordable. If you want something custom or personalised, you can come in and chat to one of them.

“With the Summer Market, though, it’s as much about helping other businesses and trying to get more people involved, to showcase the entrepreneurship and the talent which is in the city; and to raise awareness of Metquarter and remind people that we’re here.

“Of the four years we’ve been here, the Christmas Market in December was our busiest day so far, and that also helps the other independent stores like Transalpino.”

Most similar events charge admission so The Art Quarter Summer Market is different, says Matthew, because it’s free to walk round and the children’s workshop will be free too.

“People can maybe go on the Pride march and then come and see us and make a day of it. They could have something to eat and drink at the GPO upstairs, and maybe go to the Everyman Cinema later. There was a really nice atmosphere at the last market and we’re sure this one will be the same.

“We’ll be publishing the full list of people and stalls on our website in early July, but we know we’ll have a really good offering so put the date in your diary for a really good day out and the chance to support talent from in and around the city.”