Pictures & Video John Hopkins
VIDEO: THE award-winning Warrington Market continues to go from strength to strength achieving its highest ever footfall, paving the way to the town centre summer extravaganza which started this weekend.
Last week, there were just under 29,000 visitors to the market, with 10,000 on Saturday alone – the 2nd highest daily footfall ever for the market. Its great news for the market, Time Square and the wider town centre as people continue to visit Warrington for shopping, leisure and fun.
Even higher footfall was expected this weekend as special Summer events sprung up across Time Square and the town centre. The heart of the town came alive with fun and activity this weekend with a packed calendar of live performances, art, music, activity and colour.
Events taking placed included the Many Hands parade commissioned by Billie Klinger- creative producer which premiered in partnership with Culture Warrington and was choreographed by Ruth Jones. This vibrant parade brought people together to explore the shared communicative power and expressive potential of hands. Four professional dance artists were joined by the Warrington Wolves Foundation, Warrington Youth Zone, Velocity Dance, Mature Movers – and the Warrington community.
Also back by popular demand was Out of the Deep Blue when everyone’s favourite eco-friendly puppet Eko returned to Time Square. Out of the Deep Blue is a large-scale outdoor performance featuring a sea giant puppet and a contemporary dancer, inspired by the themes of the climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis.
Meanwhile elsewhere in the town centre saw The Whale Plastic Ocean project at Palmyra Square where Culture Warrington invited bold explorers to encounter an ‘aquabatic’ diver, a shipwrecked pirate with a treasure tale to tell, a real life mermaid with a haunting siren’s song and an intriguing secret alongside a true-to-life 50ft inflatable sperm whale.
Cllr Tom Jennings, cabinet member for economic development and innovation, said: “These footfall figures prove that the market is thriving and it’s clear that Warrington continues to be the shopping and leisure destination of choice.
“We have everything you’d expect from a thriving town centre, from independent businesses to national chains providing a quality offer of shopping, entertainment, leisure and food and drink. I encourage all to get involved over the Summer as you certainly won’t be disappointed, there truly is something for everyone.”
For more information pf other activities taking place this summer visit warrington.gov.uk/summer-2023.
Warrington Summer Events funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered in partnership with the council, Culture Warrington, Warrington Market and the Warrington Business Improvement District (BID).
EKO performing outside Warrington Market in Time Square – Picture John Hopkins
DID YOU MANAGE TO SEE OUR VERY SPECIAL VISITOR YESTERDAY?
If not, don’t worry…He’s back again today! Follow Eko today as we tell the magical story of our favourite sea giant. Meet Eko in Time Square at 10.45am and watch as the magic unfolds👏🏼
@Culture_WA @WeAreWarrington pic.twitter.com/LQbIweIqcd— Time Square Warrington (@TS_Warrington) July 30, 2023
