Traders will be coming from far and wide to sell their goods at the launch of the Olde Towne Market in St George’s this weekend.The market, which is in its second year and will be held on Water Street, will feature vendors and peddlars from across the Island selling everything from food to clothes and jewellery. It will be held on Sundays, between 2pm and 6pm.And Cheryl Hayward-Chew, chairperson of the Olde Towne Market Committee and chairperson of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s East End division, believes the market will provide a boost for trade in the town with a number of exciting new developments planned for the future.Among the new projects are the reopening of St George’s Golf Course next month in a move driven by the St George’s Club to attract corporate members and businesses as well as the imminent launch of the Economic Empowerment Zone.The market, which was the brainchild of entrepreneur Michelle Wales, who owns Conscious Vibes Fair Trade on Water Street, was launched last summer following discussions about creating a London style market.Ms Hayward-Chew said it was a win-win situation for both traders and residents with peddlars being able to sell their goods without being in conflict with retail stores and vendors, many of whom had full-time jobs, and getting the opportunity to showcase their wares at a convenient location and time when other markets weren’t operating and the public could attend.“It’s all part of the revitalisation of St George’s,” she said.“We thought that there needed to be a new perspective brought to new St George’s and change its perception by St Georgians and the rest of Bermuda.”She said that once it had been established as a successful event among the locals it would then be looking to win visitor appeal.Up to 40 vendors took part in the first event between October and December 2010 and this year promises to be well subscribed going by the initial interest, with several crafts and arts on sale, from knitwear such as scarves and hats, hand-made cards and jewellery to denim purses, children’s cloth books and Gombey dolls.Peddlars will also be selling sports clothing, including football jerseys, and shoes. The Bermuda National Trust will be selling historical books, while chairs and seats made by the blind will also be on sale, as well as Portuguese doughnuts, hot dogs, fried fish, hamburgers and chicken. Wadson’s Farm will have a stall selling fresh meat, eggs and produce and a fisherman will be bringing his catch to Market Wharf.Meanwhile there will be a bouncy castle to keep children entertained.At 22 weeks’ duration, the second season of the market will be much longer than the original, running up to Sunday September 25, and will open rain, wind or shine, with Penno’s Wharf cruise ship terminal used on one occasion in a hailstorm last year.Ms Hayward-Chew said that it costs vendors $25 per week for a pitch at the market while those who sign up for four weeks get one week free and for the full season they get seven weeks free. Stores in the town can join the event for free.“There are quite a number of vendors who are waiting until the end of the month to sign up for the summer,” she said.She said the market would be used to encourage traders to set up their businesses in St George’s and fill up the vacant shop fronts that have become an all too familiar feature of the town in the recent years.Ms Hayward-Chew added that the Chamber had been talking to landlords about smartening up the buildings to make the town more attractive -o locals and visitors alike.“I am extremely thankful that it has all worked because it represents a turnaround in how people felt about the town,” she said.“We have a lot of vendors who come and like to vend here and to feel like part of the town’s history and the community at large.”l Look out for a series of interviews with Olde Towne Market traders featured in The Royal Gazette in the coming weeks.For more information contact Meyer Properties at 296-6185 or visit the Olde Towne Market website at www.theoldetownemarket.com