Aylesbury Market Live brings fun to the town centre

Aylesbury Market was delighted to be able to hold a real live socially distanced event on Friday 28 August, the first since before lockdown.

Traders had the opportunity to showcase their businesses and share their expert knowledge about their products and services. DJ Dan Blase was on hand to chat with traders and shoppers to understand how their business and shopping habits had been impacted since the start of the pandemic.

The Market Square was decorated with bunting and balloons while it eagerly awaited the arrival of Fifi La Mer – an accordion player who has entertained the public on Market Square many times. In addition, the Bread and Butter Theatre Company meandered around the market as The Green Fingered Folk making people smile and laugh. There was also a colouring competition and a quiz, with great prizes kindly donated by the traders and VIRE.

Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration, said: “People looked relaxed and had fun as they interacted with the entertainers while taking socially distanced selfies. The mood was light and entertaining, and people’s anxiety levels looked to have gone down a notch. Overall, definitely reminiscent of days not that long ago.”

The Green Fingered Folk added: “We’ve performed in other towns and markets across the country but have not seen one as bustling as Aylesbury Artisan Market was on Friday!”

Fifi La Mer commented: “I’ve performed in various locations in London since we came out of lockdown, but it was great to finally play to an audience, rather than just a few people passing by going about their daily business. One lady even shed a tear as she found it quite overwhelming and emotional; she could not believe that something so simple as a little live music could represent shades of normality.”

Traders said it was nice to get back to having some light-hearted entertainment on the market and even though there was a shower or two – it dampened no one’s spirits.
The Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership is looking forward to being able to offer the people of Aylesbury some more light-hearted entertainment in the future at this challenging time.