‘We’re the hub of the city’: Covent Garden Market again hosting weekend events

Weekend events are back at the Covent Garden Market Square in the midst of ongoing construction. CTV London’s Gerry Dewan has more on the festivities.

While Island Fest signs were going up on the south end of the Covent Garden Market square, construction work continued on the north end.

Island Fest will be the second event hosted on the square since it partially re-opened two weeks ago. Construction closed access to square since last September.

During that work, vendors and restaurants were still available inside the market. While many businesses have a dedicated clientele, they also rely heavily on events in the square to draw new customers in.

Covent Garden Market General Manager Amy Shackleton stressed that they did their best to keep people coming, “Just getting the word out that we are open. We’re open six days a week and we’re here and ready to serve.”

Island Fest organizers were happy to see the re-opening of the square.

Building on the success of last year’s gathering, they expanded their event out onto Talbot Street.

There were concerns that weather-related construction delays might push back the market square re-opening, forcing them to another location.

“I will not lie, we’ve been on our tippy toes a little bit, but we made it. We made an executive decision to stay with the square. This is our home, and this is where we’re going to stay,” said Wendy Bhagwandeen, an operations coordinators for the event.

Island Fest is a three-day event and starts Friday at 4 p.m.

Bhagwandeen understands the sounds of the Caribbean may have to compete with the sounds of the jackhammer early in the event, “The construction noises will die down as the day progresses.”

While events have returned to the square for the weekends, Shackelton told CTV News that access during the week will continue to be limited with work continuing until mid-September.

“During the week, we do have the square closed just so they can finish up the work that has to be done. But every weekend we’ve got something booked in to the square, is open,” said Shackelton.

Shackelton recognizes the importance of the square to all businesses in the area around the market, “We play such a big role. We’re the hub of the city. You know, people come down here, they look forward to these cultural events. So, we know the importance of being able to showcase the diversity here in London. And it’s so important. So that’s why we really, really made sure to make this happen, that we can make sure to have the events and activities here.”

The Saturday morning Farmer’s Market has also returned to the market square. It had been moved to Market Lane, off of Dundas Street.

Also returning in the winter will be the Covent Garden Market skating rink.

Shackleton said the total cost of the work being done is about $5 million.