Latest news with #MarketPlace
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
South Shields' former Wilko store to be turned into art studios
A former Wilko store is to be turned into an art gallery and studio in an attempt to give artists an affordable space to vacant retail unit in Market Place, South Shields, has been taken over by Laura Robertson and Theodore Godfrey-Cass, who plan to turn it into a collaborative pair have named the building The Market Gallery and said they hoped it would add to South Tyneside Council's planned regeneration of the town centre, which will see the college relocated Robertson said she wanted the gallery to be part of the new "lease of life that is coming to South Shields". The Market Gallery will include an area to display work as well as studio booths and a larger space, which could be used for dance and musical Godfrey-Cass, who is originally from Los Angeles in the US, said if the centre was a success, they may install more equipment. "My dream is to eventually get screen-printing presses, heat presses, sublimation printers and, hopefully in the long-run, an embroidery machine, so we can teach people skills like how to make their own T-shirts and clothing," he also intends to use the old storefront's large windows as a canvas for seasonal communal paintings to help brighten up the area. The artistic duo were asked to run the gallery by Easy Streets Arts, a charity which works to match artists with empty Robertson said the charity would pay the business rates for the site, allowing The Market Gallery to offer "extremely competitive rates" for its studios. "There's still that barrier for young artists, even old artists, who feel they haven't got the portfolio behind them, haven't got the exhibitions behind them, and feel they have those limitations," she said."We just want to offer those people an opportunity to show South Tyneside what they're made of." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Sal's Snack Bar to leave Didcot after 35 years
The owner of a snack bar closing its doors after more than 35 years has said she is "gutted" she will no longer see her regular Snack Bar, in Market Place, Didcot, is set to shut permanently at the end of August due to rising costs and dwindling Sally Newport said the increased cost of living had had a significant impact on the café's people in the town have taken to social media to express their disappointment at the planned closure. Ms Newport said: "It's because of the cost of living… Fewer people are coming in. Gas has gone up. So have electric, rent, council tax and broadband. Nobody's got any spare money every month."I'm gutted. We have regulars who come in every day but we're not going to see them anymore because we're going to have to find other jobs."Asked what she would do next, Ms Newport said: "I haven't got a clue".In a statement issued by the snack bar's official Facebook page, customers were thanked for their support over the read: "To our customers, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, trust, and love over the years. You've been more than just customers; you've become part of our family."In the responses, people from the town described the café as an "important part of Didcot" that would be business was previously known as Keskin's Snack Bar and was owned by Hakan Keskin, who took over Bilko's Burger Bar in 1989 and renamed it after Newport, who has worked at the snack bar for a total of 25 years, took over in 2013. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Arcade moving to next level for summer holidays, with dozens of new machines
An arcade is set to expand for the summer holidays, with an exciting selection of new machines. Game Vault will increase in size for the entire month of August, providing a greater variety of arcade games during the school holidays. The arcade, which is based in The Vaults in Market Place Shopping Centre, came to town in late 2023, providing classic games like Pacman, alongside air hockey, shooter games, interactive darts and more. Now, it is set to expand into an empty unit in The Vaults, bringing in another "25 to 30" machines, including VR, basketball machines and more. One of the three owners, Craig Holden, said: "It will be just for the summer holidays. Game Vault (Image: Leah Collins) "Market Place gave us a deal for the month of August, we are going to have 25 to 30 extra machines. "The VR machines include a twin gatling gun, a machine gun. We are bringing in basketball machines, twin racing machines, whack a mole for young kids, it will be a good variety." Read more: It's game on at Bolton's Market Place as a gaming centre officially opens Read more: Inside the hidden gaming bar at the heart of the town centre He added: "We're an arcade and bar, more catered towards families, but then in the evenings we have signature speciality cocktails and gaming for all ages. Game Vault (Image: Leah Collins) "We also have VR equipment, we are getting more VR in for the summer holidays." The expansion will run from August 1 to August 31. Game Vault opens from 10.30am every day of the week, closing at 8.30pm Mondays to Thursdays, at 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 9pm on Sundays. It is also available for corporate hire. The business was opened as a "passion project" for its owners, who also run other companies. In April, The Bolton News reported that it had recently secured a larger unit to accommodate the venue's popularity.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Popular snack bar closes after 25 years with owner's 'hand's tied'
A snack bar has announced its 'sad' closure after more than 25 years in the business. Sals' Snack Bar in Market Place, Didcot is to close for good at the end of August, blaming the cost of living and high rent. Previously Keskin's Snack Bar, owner Sally Newport took over from Hakan Keskin in 2013 after he sold the burger bar to his employee Sally. In a statement, Sally and workers Gemma and Kayleigh said: 'It's with a heavy heart that i announce the closing of Sals' Snack Bar as of the end of August. Hakan Keskin when he handed over the business to Sally Newport in 2013. Picture: OX57287 David Fleming 'After 25 working there and 13 years of taking it over we have decided to end our lease, we have giving everything to this place and are going to miss our amazing customer , I've reached a point where i can no longer continue due to the cost of living and high rent due to the landlord. 'We've tried every avenue to keep things going, but our hands are tied. 'To our customer thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, trust, and love over the years. You've been more than just customer you've become part of family.' READ MORE: Customers said they were shocked and saddened by the upcoming closure, with one saying: 'So sorry to see your news Sal and all the very best for the future. 'Maybe one day Sals' will pop up somewhere else. Best bacon, egg and mushroom sarnies for miles around, good luck.' Another added: 'Oh no! That's so sad! Awwww Sal I know you poured your heart and soul into your business. 'Congratulations for the many years you have fed everyone down there.'
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Dinosaurs set to stomp through Derby city centre
A number of dinosaurs will walk through Derby city centre later for a major Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) will convert the city's Market Place into a free-to-attend "prehistoric playground" from 11:00-16:00 around the Cathedral Quarter will be Zeus the one of Europe's largest dinosaurs, and a range of other prehistoric giants including a stegosaurus, parasaurolophus, and a year, more than 4,000 people met Zeus and his friends, said the Cathedral Quarter BID. There will also be several smaller dinosaurs roaming the streets, which families will be able to get up close will also be able to visit the hatchery, where they can meet baby dinos in their first stages of life and learn about the evolution of the creatures.
