A new family-friendly market is coming to Newcastle Quays Retail Park in North Shields this Bank Holiday weekend celebrating independent North East businesses. The market will bring together a range of local traders, handmade products, gifts, food and community spirit over two days.

The Newcastle Quays Spring Market will run on Sunday May 24 and Monday May 25 from 10am until 3pm inside Unit 19, next to Next. The event is organised by Here You Belong, in collaboration with the Newcastle Quay’s management team as part of a wider focus on supporting local enterprise, creatives and community-led opportunities across the region.

The market will showcase talent from across the North East with independent businesses, creatives, makers, artists and small traders to give shoppers the chance to discover handmade crafts, unique gifts, local brands, sweet treats, lifestyle products and family-friendly shopping straight from locals in a relaxed community atmosphere.

Organisers say the event has been created to help support independent businesses across North Tyneside by giving smaller traders the opportunity to sell within a busy retail park. Visitors attending the market will benefit from free parking and easy public transport access, with direct bus links stopping next to the retail park making it easy for all who want to browse the market to do so.

Founded by Kelly Hodgkiss and Gaby Zak, Here You Belong focuses on creating opportunities through events, like the Spring Market, film, media and creative projects for freelancers, independent businesses and creatives across the North East. As part of the event’s community-focused approach, a portion of the profits from the market will be donated to the company’s CIC Intertwined to support local initiatives and community projects across North Tyneside and the wider region.

Trader applications still remain open and organisers encourage all local businesses, creatives, makers and independent sellers across the region are still able to apply for a stall. Organisers hope the Spring Family Market will become a welcoming Bank Holiday destination for families whilst encouraging people to shop local and support North East businesses.