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Exciting special events are set to create a buzz for shoppers to South Shields Market over the coming weeks.

In the first event, this Saturday (23 July),the Local Heroes Pop-up Food Market will be making its South Shields debut, featuring some of the North East's best food and drinks producers. The food market is running from 10am to 4pm, in the Market Place alongside the Traditional Market.

The following week, on Saturday 30 July, the Market Place will be transformed into an open-air cinema. The free Shop, Stay and Play event, running from 10am to 3pm,will see seating laid out on a pop-up green space where families can pull up a deck chair and enjoy a movie on a large LED screen at the outdoor cinema.

Two further Shop, Stay and Play events will take place on Saturday 20 August and Saturday 3 September.

Councillor Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Skills and Climate Change, said: "We are delighted to be staging these events alongside the traditional market at South Shields Market Square over the coming weeks and months.

"We have some great market traders and retailers in South Shields Town Centre and events like these not only offer something a little different for shoppers but encourage people to visit and spend more time in the area.

"Making our high streets more welcoming and attractive to visitors is one of the ways we are delivering on our community priority of investing in our town centres, high streets, villages and hospitality."

The Local Heroes event, which has proven popular in Hebburn over recent months, will feature more than 20 food and drink vendors, from sweet and savoury treats to cheese, sausages, pizza and authentic Greek street food.

Vendors confirmed for the event include the Geordie Banger Co, Simply Cheesecake, Acropolis Street Food and Pink Lane Bakery among many more.

It is organised by Food and Drink North East, in partnership with the Council as well as My Food Stories, The Vittler of Blyth and some of the core traders from the hugely successful Jesmond Food Market.

A series of family-friendly movies will be screened at the Shop, Stay and Play events:

As well as the film screening, children can enjoy free lawn games such as giant Jenga and Connect 4 and teacup fairground rides, while grown-ups get to browse and buy at South Shields Market.

The Shop, Stay and Play events have been organised by Â鶹ÊÓƵ working in partnership with local businesses to encourage people to support their town centres, high streets, villages and hospitality.

Councillor Mark Walsh, Member Champion for South Shields Town Centre and Market Traders, added: "We are incredibly excited to be bringing these events to South Shields Town Centre.

"The Local Heroes Pop-up Food Market has been a huge hit in Hebburn since its launch event in March with some of the food and drink traders reporting their busiest trading days ever. I'm sure their appearance in South Shields Market will be just as successful.

"The Shop, Stay and Play events follow one staged in the Market Place last autumn. The return of the events is sure to create a real buzz, bringing some colour and vibrancy to the town centre. We hope it will encourage visitors to stay a little longer while going about their shopping and supporting our very own Traditional Market traders and town centre businesses."

The Traditional Market takes place every Saturday at South Shields Market Square. A Flea Market is also held every Friday.

For further information about South Shields Market and the special events, visit 

More details about the Local Heroes Pop-up Food Market including a list of the traders involved, follow on social media at Facebook @SouthTynesideEvents or @LocalHeroesNE or on Twitter @STynesideEvents or @FoodandDrinkNE