In 2023 Hamilton Our Town launched monthly event activity, the purpose of which has been to attract additional visitors to the town, creating an improved town centre experience alongside supporting the marketing of the area. The market format enables activity to take place monthly, utilising an event format that is attractive to visitors in a central location. It also enables businesses to be directly involved in events via a free stall as example.
The benefit of bringing in additional visitors within the central BID area are direct sales opportunities and brand awareness impacting commercial opportunities well beyond the event date. We can measure footfall thanks to information provided by the Regent Shopping Centre. This also enables footfall estimates for on street activity. In 2023 we estimate that over 40k additional visitors will come into the town for the market / events. Marketing reach is significant with the Hamilton Market 'brand' becoming established.
The market is managed my Hamilton Our Town, enabling control of vendor inclusion in an effort to reduce any competition with town centre businesses. BID members do not pay for a stall whilst external vendors pay a minimum fee of £60 which is used to support the event. Preference is given to BID members, followed by local people.
The event design is shaped to provide free and inclusive entertainment for the community. We also provide opportunity for local performers and young people to perform at our events.
