Newtownards Market is thriving in its new temporary home in Kennel Lane, Newtownards. The Saturday market usually held in Conway Square has been temporarily relocated to Kennel Lane from January to May 2015 to allow Public Realm Work to take place in the area.

Clive O'Neil, Market Manager and longest Serving Trader is delighted with the temporary premises: “This is a fantastic site, right in the middle of the town centre, with good parking facilities.  Working with Ards Borough Council has enabled us to get this great site and we thank them for their assistance.”

Travelling from Belfast, Jimmy and Maggie McKee are regular visitors to the market: “We have been coming from Belfast to the Newtownards Market for over 10 years. We enjoy the chat with traders, who are always helpful. The new site is handy with decent parking.”

Alex Johnston from Ballywalter enjoys bargain hunting in the local market: “I like coming to the Market for the bargains, everything from the flowers, fresh fruit, and fresh fish from Portavogie. You always get the craic and a joke from the traders.  It has a great atmosphere.”

Conway Square is closed for works as part of the £5.5M Newtownards Public Realm scheme which sees the development of the Square and the surrounding streets, including Regent Street, Frances Street, Castle Place, and Gibson’s Lane by replacing kerbs and paving, and updating street lighting and street furniture.

The new design will reflect the history of the town, retaining the Blair Mayne Statue and TT Memorial within their existing setting, with natural stone paving selected for Conway Square and the surrounding footpaths, and lighting columns chosen to match the existing street lights.

Curved street furniture and bespoke seating, including sections with back rest, alongside feature lighting and contemporary style litter bins and bollards, will create a modern look for the town centre. New trees will also be planted, and Conway Square will benefit from enhanced power and water supplies, as part of the project.

The project is one of three Public Realm schemes taking place in the Ards Borough which are being match-funded by the Department for Social Development (DSD) and delivered by Ards Borough Council in an investment totalling over £10M.  Work is also taking place in Donaghadee and Comber.

For further information visit www.ards-council.gov.uk/publicrealm, email publicrealm@ards-council.gov.uk or contact David Birch on 028 9182 4026