29 February 2000

New Attraction For City

Saturday 4 March is the start date for a City Centre Fresh Produce Market. Located on the grassed area outside the Court Theatre at the Arts Centre the market, called Canterbury Fare @ The Arts Centre, will operate every Saturday and Sunday (8am - 1pm), weather permitting, for a 10 week trial.

The Market will offer high quality produce grown largely in the Canterbury region. The produce on offer will range from a variety of breads, cheese, organic fruit and vegetable to salami, emu, wine, flowers and delicatessen items. Cooking demonstrations and local entertainment will also feature as the Market establishes itself.

The Market is designed for both local residents and tourists alike. Uniquely this Market has a virtual side through the website, www.canterburyfare.co.nz, where many of the products, which are available at The Arts Centre, can also be purchased via this site.

Deliberately small in scale - limited to 15 stalls, the Market has been set up through the partnership of The Arts Centre, urban designers Common Ground and web-site Canterbury Fare to test public demand for such a Market. The results of the trial, if successful, will be presented to the new Central City Board, chaired by Mayor Garry Moore, to consider options for a more permanent market.

Photo/Film Opportunities:

• The Market comprises 15 green and white gazebo tents which will be set up and ready for business from 8am on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 mornings. As the morning progresses we are anticipating bustling business from the local residents and tourists alike.

For further general information contact:

• Tony Paine
  Director, The Arts Centre
  Ph 03 366 0989

• Mark Prain
  Common Ground
  Mble 021 373 895

• Kevin Scally
  Canterbury Fare
  Ph 03 377 8898

• Lisa Newick
  Canterbury Fare
  Ph 03 377 8898

• Mark Tollemache
  Common Ground
  Mble 021 445 007