The Orchard Street Market is returning to Gloucester Quays in Gloucestershire for its eighth year, starting on March 7, 2026. Organised by Channell Events, the monthly event will bring more than 70 local traders to Orchard Square and Orchard Street to sell food, handmade crafts, plants, and street food. The market will take place on the first Saturday and Sunday of every month through October, providing residents with a regular place to shop and visit at the historic docks.
Visitors can attend the market on March 7 and March 8, 2026, as well as the first weekends of the following months through October 4, 2026. The stalls will be open from 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays, offering a family-friendly atmosphere at the water’s edge. According to Pedddle, the event has become a regular fixture for local makers and shoppers since it was first established in 2018.
The return of the market follows a sustained period of growth for the area. Gloucester Quays previously reported a 7 per cent increase in annual footfall and a 9.1 per cent spike during its peak festive periods. This growth contributes to the city of Gloucester’s broader tourism industry, which according to recent data from Visit Gloucester, saw a total economic impact of £310 million in 2023. The market helps support this by attracting thousands of visitors to the docks on event weekends.
While the events bring more people to the city, residents should be aware of strict parking rules at the nearby Peel Centre. Some visitors have previously faced £100 fines for parking at the Peel Centre and then walking over to shop at the Quays, as the two-hour free parking allowance is restricted to those remaining on-site. Using official city car parks or the dedicated Quays car park is advised to manage the increased traffic and footfall expected during the busy market weekends.
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