Today Wigan - Tomorrow Europe

Monday 10th September 2007

Fancy a trip to an exotic market?

Somewhere where the aromas of freshly cooked spiced meats mingle with the delicate odours of olives, cheeses, breads and perfumes.

A place where you can hear the languages and music of continental Europe lilting across the market square. And where you can admire handcrafted goods from the chic streets of Paris through to the mysterious Middle East.

We can only really be talking about one place...Wigan!

Anyone coming into the town centre between Thursday 20 and Saturday 22 September will find that they have been transported to the heart of Europe with the arrival of the borough's own continental market.

Market Place will be bursting with fresh produce and goods from all over the continent including fashions from France, cheese from Holland, chocolates from Belgium, meats from Corsica, amber jewellery from Poland and exotic dried fruit and nuts from Turkey, to name but a few.

Cllr John O'Neill, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Deputy Leader of Wigan Council says:

"The French markets we have held in the past have been hugely successful and have attracted people from miles around. This time we wanted to offer a wider range of goods from all over the continent to bring a complete European experience to Wigan.

"The arrival of the continental market is proof of the changing face of Wigan and how we are enhancing the shopping experience. It is unique events like this that brings visitors to Wigan and allows them to see what else the town has to offer, encouraging them to return again and again."

The Town Centre Management team has even more ambitious plans to expand the market along the length of Market Place right through the town centre, if it is successful.

The market will open between 8.30am and 9am each day and close around 5pm/5.30pm.