To celebrate the festive season, up to 40 local creative businesses will be showcasing a fantastic array of handcrafted and unique products at the second pilot Boston Manor Arts Market (BAM!).
Published: Wednesday, 22nd November 2023
The market is returning, just in time for Christmas, following the successful launch of BAM! in September. The festive-themed market will take place at Space M4, Boston Manor Park, on Saturday, 25 November, from 11.00am to 5.00pm.
BAM! is a pet-friendly, free market for everyone. Hosted by Hounslow Council, this November market will be in collaboration with the local marketplace The Loft Hounslow. BAM! will bring a festive flavour, filled with local treasures, live entertainment, and creative workshops.
It will feature local, small and solely-owned creative businesses based in Hounslow, Brentford, Feltham and west London, with products on sale including, jewellery, prints and cards, textiles, arts & crafts, reworked vintage, and much more.
Some of the businesses returning to BAM! this month, include The Custard Tart, known for their handmade home decor, and Haskett Prints, who offer art prints and cards designed with local inspiration in mind. New entrepreneurs like Yukiko Munemoto, a reworked clothing brand or India Haat, a homemade designer with Indian-inspired accessories, will also participate for the first time.
The day will also be filled with live performances, music by local creatives and interactive workshops for all age groups. Award-winning storyteller Casey Andrews will enchant visitors with an elusive twist on interactive theatre. Additionally, live music featuring a preview of songs from an upcoming Dick Whittington Pantomime at The Arts Centre, Hounslow, complete with leading cast members, will happen from 11.15am to 12.00pm in Space M4.
The Hounslow Wellbeing Network, a community group dedicated to enhancing mental and physical wellbeing for residents in the borough, will be hosting a workshop in ‘The Hub’, adjacent to Space M4 and signposted for visitors, called ‘How to Crochet’ and offering beginner level drawing exercises with a festive brief, from 11.00am to 3.00pm. Visitors can also enjoy festive drinks and refreshments in The Potting Shed café in the hub.
Jonathan Ashby, Director of The Loft Hounslow, said:
“Thanks to the generous support of Hounslow Council, our ambition is to uplift small aspiring creative businesses and encourage the community to shop locally, supporting emerging brands that may not yet be on our high streets.”
Councillor Shivraj Grewal, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Culture, said:
“The inaugural BAM! was a huge success, with over 800 residents and visitors attending, and fantastic feedback from the local creatives and entrepreneurs. With BAM!, small sized creative businesses can showcase their arts and crafts products and meet with customers face-to-face. It’s a fantastic way for residents to shop locally this Christmas and help boost our local economy.
“I’m delighted that BAM! is continuing to showcase Hounslow as a great destination for cultural diversity and creativity. Bringing together locally based craftspeople, creative businesses, residents, and visitors, we are building a thriving and vital community for everyone keen to share their creativity and passion.”
Hounslow Council has delivered BAM!, including the renovation of Boston Manor Park, through support provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Greater London Authority Good Growth Fund.
The third BAM! pilot market will take place in Spring 2024 with a new cohort of creative businesses and free activities for all age groups. For more information about each participating creative business and activities in BAM! in November, please visit BAM! website or follow @summerofculture on Instagram and Facebook.
