Devonport's Market Hall honours its history with new contemporary markets
Plymouth’s key community interest company Real Ideas is hosting a month-long set of Thoughtful Festive events and experiences all set to enchant, inspire, educate and charm adults and children of all ages. And as part of the programme, the team has brought Devonport’s magnificent Grade II listed Market Hall back to its roots with the first actual market being held in the vast atrium in over 70 years.
The Real Ideas Thoughtful Festive market will take place this coming Sunday – 19th December from 11am until 4pm and will host a plethora of young and independent businesses and artists all selling their local and sustainable products and work.
Devonport’s market has had several significant historical chapters. Up until the early 1800s the area was known as Plymouth Dock and its market was at the end of Fore Street near the Dockyard gate. Royal Assent in 1824 led to the area being renamed Devonport and 11 years later the Devonport Market Act 1835, authorised the enlargement of its Market to sell corn, grain and other articles, which led to the building and opening of the Market Hall building in 1852.
From then until WW2, Devonport was hugely prosperous, by the 1930’s boasting four cinemas, two theatres and branches of major stores, including Marks & Spencer. However WWII had a big impact on Plymouth, which sustained significant bombing, especially in the Devonport area close to the Naval Dockyard.
But across the last few years Real Ideas has transformed the commanding building and brought it back to life as an awe-inspiring digital space for people to socialise, learn and be inspired. The building officially opened in July of this year, following the £7.6m upgrade that has created not only the first immersive video dome of its kind in Europe but also a creative and collaborative workspace for digital businesses and a social hub for people of all ages.
Alongside an impressive immersive programme of films and events, Real Ideas remains committed to honouring the history of the imposing building and as such, the team has included a range of local artists and traders in their Thoughtful Festive market this coming weekend.
Exhibitors include Annette Daly, a glass designer/maker based at nearby Ocean Studios. Annette will have a selection of her lampworked art glass beads, jewellery, household items and art, many of which incorporate silver and other elements like Swarovski crystals and some which are eco-friendly and made from discarded materials.
Plymouth-based Polish artist AGAZART will be selling her surreal and abstract analogue collage pieces which mix paper, glue, cardboard, wood, thread, magazines and vintage and contemporary photography. Many of AGAZART’s collages are inspired by play tribute to music, art or poetry icons such as Patti Smith, Barbara Kruger or David Bowie.
The Cornish High Street team will also be bringing a range of their eclectic eco and sustainable goods and products across the border to the Ocean City. The Cornish High Street’s sources from many of the most talented and skilled people working as individuals and small businesses right across Cornwall with all of the products made with the environment in mind. Every decision they make, from products to packaging, are led by the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
The market is running from Thoughtful Festive Market is running within Market Hall from 11am until 4pm, with the option of taking part in an Immersive Snow Globe or Baubles experience throughout. From 12:30 until 1pm.
Alongside the market, Kate Rogers will be bringing the Caradon Youth Chamber Choir to perform on the staircase, followed by the wonderful local singer Florence Hope performing live afterwards as well.
Real Ideas CEO Lindsey Hall says, “Anyone walking into Devonport’s Market Hall can’t help but be impressed by the main staircase, and can’t fail to be hit with the historical presence of this setting. It brings us great joy to fill the space with the sights and sounds of market traders again, and to offer our local, sustainable and inspiring artists and makers the opportunity to showcase and sell their wares here as part of our extensive Thoughtful Christmas programme.
"We can’t wait to see everyone joining us in this historic setting for what’s set to be a very fun, and very thoughtful market, and to also mix this historic rejuvenation with our modern day immersive crafting opportunities and stunning films in our cutting edge, contemporary world, immersive dome.”
An admission charge is optional and those taking tickets are invited to pay what they can afford.
For more information visit https://realideas.org/whats-on/explore-our-festive-programme/
