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New Buckley's indoor market to replace former snooker and sports bar in Sittingbourne High Street
05:00, 01 February 2023
updated: 15:14, 01 February 2023
An indoor market is set to open on a high street this week.
The new market is located on Sittingbourne High Street, above the former Wetherspoons and where the former snooker club was previously.
Buckley's indoor market is a family-run business owned by father and son Steve Middleton, 64, and Jordan Middleton, 30.
Jordan said: "We've got all different types of stalls, we've got shabby chic, second hand furniture, kids clothing, antiques – its a complete indoor market, there's loads of different things."
There will also be fine art and unique hand-crafted items on offer, as well as personalised printing, handmade jewellery and bath bombs.
They have more than 30 traders who each have their own unit, and there is a coffee shop and sweet shop.
Jordan added: "This has been in the making for a couple of months now, we've always wanted to do it but we've never had the opportunity.
"I owned it as a snooker club and it just wasn't working, we didn't get the trade so we changed it into what we're doing now.
"We're just trying to help out the locals, give them a chance to set up a business when obviously some of them can't do that because of the price of shops."
Jordan's daughter Ellie Mae Middleton has set up Ellie's Sweet Shop, and will be selling sweet cakes, sweet cones and normal sweets.
He said: "She asked me if she could open one and of course I had to say yes she's only nine bless her."
One of the units is occupied by Kim Scott, who owns Blue Moon Collectables and Vintage Pre Loved Clothing.
She has been an "avid collector" of China objects and new and pre-loved clothing for years, although only sold things at boot fairs until Covid hit.
She said: "It all went into storage until now – finally I'm able to free up some wardrobe space.
"I have been looking for this type of unit for a while now, it gives you the chance to trade alongside other like-minded traders for less costs unlike other high street shops.
"It enables us to look out for each other too and lets us trade up to six days a week.
"I've had great help from the organisers and there's always a coffee which is right up my street."
The venue is at the end of the high street, which has had a lot of venues close.
It is opposite the New Century Cinema, which shut down at the end of its lease amid rising costs and falling trade.
Next to that sat Mecca Bingo, which announced its closure last summer.
The indoor market is launching this Wednesday, and will have its grand opening on Saturday where free food and drinks will be given out.
It will be open Monday-Saturday, from 10am-5pm.
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