Hailsham Street Market to Return with New Friday Trial Events

The Town Council has announced the return of Hailsham Street Market with the launch of a new series of Friday trial events, beginning on Friday 20th March at Blackmans Yard, behind the Town Council offices in Market Street.

The initiative will run over a ten-week trial period, with a series of markets scheduled throughout the spring. The trials are designed to further assess the long-term suitability of Blackmans Yard as a permanent home for the market and to explore the impact of Friday trading on visitor attendance and trader participation.

The decision follows the completion of an earlier trial phase that concluded in October. During that period, the Council evaluated footfall, gathered feedback from traders and residents, and reviewed levels of community engagement to help inform future planning.

Hailsham Street Market was formerly held on Saturdays in Vicarage Field before relocating to Blackmans Yard in July. The move introduced a more flexible, Council-owned venue with fewer trading restrictions, enabling a wider mix of stalls and products for traders to offer.

The latest trials form part of the Council’s broader efforts to revitalise the market and expand its appeal. Recent markets have featured a diverse selection of stalls, including local produce, artisan food and drink, handmade crafts, clothing and other specialist goods.

The dates for the trial markets are as follows:

• Friday 20 March
• Friday 10 April
• Friday 24 April
• Friday 8 May
• Friday 22 May

Councillor Anne Marie Ricketts, Chair of the Communities Committee, said: “We are delighted to confirm the dates for the next phase of trial markets and encourage residents to make a note of Friday 20th March. These events will help us determine how the market can best meet the needs of the town and continue to develop in a sustainable way.”

She added: “The previous trial period provided valuable insight into how Blackmans Yard functions as a market space. The forthcoming events will allow us to build on that evidence and ensure any long-term decisions reflect community feedback.”

Tony Lee, Operations and Facilities Manager, commented: “Blackmans Yard has demonstrated real potential as a venue for Hailsham Street Market. We understand that changes to location and trading days can take time to settle, and these additional trials will help us gain a clearer understanding of how the market can grow and thrive.”