Empty shop becomes community hub
From selling rolls of carpet – to fulfilling a vital role in the community. That's Worthing's former Allied Carpet showroom.
A shop just off Worthing's Montague Street Precinct has already hosted a massive charity market, Scout group's Christmas Fair, a Real Ale Radio Roadshow, meetings and mask-making. It's The UpMarket, brought together by Worthing Lions Club, supported by national organisation the Empty Shops Network and by Worthing Borough Council. And it even has its own internet radio station, and is wifi-enabled.
But in December, while the charity market stays in place, a range of other events take place. The Revolutionary Arts Group have moved their annual Christmas Art Fair, usually at St Matthew's in Tarring Road, to the town centre venue. Around a dozen artists and makers will exhibit and sell affordable Christmas gifts, cards and decorations in a specially constructed Pop-Up Gallery. It's been made entirely from materials, timber and wooden pallets found onsite - and a £1 pack of nails from a local shop. The Christmas Art Fair is on Saturday 5th December, and runs from 10am-4pm.
On the same day, local singer-songwriter Russ Bravo has set up a 'Vinyl Swapshop' where aficionados of old-fashioned records can swap with others. Easy listening DJ Worthy Dan will play tunes from charity shops The vinyl swapshop takes place from 11am-12 noon.
And the same day will also see a 'Twitter Social' between 12noon-2pm where fans of the social networking website get together – and there will be free massage from Worthing Shiatsu.
On Saturday 12th and Saturday 19th, Riverford Organics will be in the building, promoting seasonal cooking using a variety of vegetables. At the same time, local cafe Pestle & Mortar will be offering tastings of locally-made chutneys, sauces and other produce.
On Wednesday 16th, the final week of The UpMarket will be started with a Christmas Carol Concert from the Davison School Choir at 10.30am.
And for the final week only, the warehouse at the rear of the showroom will be open for an exhibition including site-specific and installation work.
The Up Market project has been brought together by Worthing Lions President John Sayles, who spotted the potential of the huge space owned by Worthing Borough Council. He has been supported by Dan Thompson, who runs the national Empty Shops Network.
The UpMarket, Buckingham Road, Worthing will be open Wednesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm.
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