Thousands flock to enjoy a flavour of the continent

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 21 Oct 2009 11:49 0 Comments

A TASTE of Europe came to Alloa on Thursday when the town hosted its first ever Continental Market, which proved to be a resounding success.

The High Street was transformed in to a bustling European market offering everything from paella to delicious French patisserie, handbags, Pachminas and Marseille soaps.

Delivered by the Alloa Town Centre BID thousands of people flocked to the market for the unique three day event, attracting and encouraging both new and lost customers back into the once vibrant town centre.

Those visiting the market certainly enjoyed all that was on offer and Archie Yates, from Sauchie, told the Advertiser, "I think the market is a great idea to bring people into the town centre and it would be wonderful if it was a regular event as anything that brings business in to the town centre and helps revitalise it can only be a good thing."

Positive

And Wendy Bremner, from Tillicoultry, also thought the market was a positive thing for Alloa saying, "I didn't realise it was on until I came in to Alloa but I think it is a really good way of bringing different cultures to the area and making people aware of the different goods and textiles on offer.

"I have been to similar markets elsewhere but I think this is impressive for a small town like Alloa."

Students from Stirling University, who have been working with the BID team, were also at the market conducting interviews with visitors which will be used as part on going study on how Alloa Town Centre can move forward and what improvements people would like to see.

David Westland, Alloa Town Centre BID chairman told the Advertiser, "I have not seen such vibrancy in Alloa town centre for in excess of 20 years which is solely attributed to this market, which is fantastic.

"Local businesses have also reported back a colossal increase in footfall and consequently, an increase in sales.

"This business event has also had the desired positive effect on the local community, people meeting and speaking with friends who they had not seen for a while.

"This also gave the town an opportunity to showcase new businesses that had chosen to locate in Alloa".

Vitality

Andrew Mitchell, Alloa Town Centre BID manager, added, "Through Alloa's BID, we have been given the responsibility (from our BID members) to address local issues with local solutions, by jointly taking ownership of the towns future economic vitality.

"Small aspiring town centres, must continually offer choices to people visiting towns like Alloa.

Character

"We plan to develop strategies that will ensure our town centre has a unique character and feel to it, therefore encouraging new businesses and shoppers into the town"

One of the six objectives of Alloa's Business Improvement District is to promote and advertise Alloa town centre, using regular seasonal events to encourage and increase footfall to the town and the market is the second major event on the back of last year's hugely successful 'Alloa on Ice' event.

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