Grand Public Opening of Dover's New-Look Market Square

Joint press release issued on behalf of Dover Town Team, Destination Dover, Dover Town Council and Dover District Council

'Big Summer Party' puts the heart back into Dover town centre

Saturday, 20 August 2022 (10am - 5pm)

Residents and visitors alike are invited to a 'Big Summer Party' to mark the opening of Dover’s revamped Market Square on Saturday, 20 August (10am - 5pm) where they can browse stalls at a new artisan market, enjoy a day of live music and performances, and take part in an epic kite-flying festival.

Organised by the Dover Town Team and Destination Dover the grand opening marks the completion of a £3.6 million revamp of the Market Square creating a modern and welcoming focal point at the heart of the town centre.

Along with the launch of the new Dover Artisan Market featuring local producers, there will be pop-up dance and flash-mob performances, culminating with a spectacular circus finale at 4.00pm with Boom Circus.

Dover-based Future Foundry will also be hosting the ‘Fly With Me Festival’ a celebration of the ancient Afghan craft of kite-flying with workshops in both the Market Square and Pencester Gardens. The Festival sees Dover joining towns and cities across the UK and Europe to mark the first anniversary of the fall of Afghanistan on 20 August 2021 with the simple, joyous act of kite-flying.

Neil Wiggins of the Dover Town Team, said: “Dover’s new-look Market Square comes to life on Saturday, 20 August and everyone is invited to come down and spend some time enjoying the atmosphere of this amazing new public space with live music, performances, soft play for children, and a new artisan market showcasing local producers.

“It’s never been more important for people to support their local town centres. The improvements to the Market Square means that we can now offer residents and visitors alike a more welcoming space in which to host events, take in the views of Dover Castle, or to just meet up in a relaxed and safe environment for the whole family.”

Notes to editors:

The £3.6m revamp of the Market Square creates a more welcoming environment for local shoppers and a focal point for visitors to the town centre, including a new event space and a unique water feature.

Highway improvements make the Market Square more pedestrian friendly, and new paving, seating, lighting, and planting create a more attractive street scene in the Market Square, as well as improving links between Cannon Street, St James, and Dover waterfront.

The project was funded by £2.44m from the Coastal Communities Fund secured by the Dover Town Team, and £1.2m from Dover District Council. Dover Town Council has also contributed to the project.