HEATON Fold Garden Centre’s popular artisan market will be returning later this month after a delayed start due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The garden centre, which is owned by Bolton Council, has hosted an artisan market for a number of years and partnered up with local market operator MWL Events in 2018.

Organisers are promising over 25 stallholders will take part in the first event of the year on Sunday, August 23, including handmade crafts and artisan food.

Free on-site parking is available and two metre markers have been set up outside to allow people to queue safely, along with a one-way system inside.

Katherine Brookes. the owner of MWL Events said: “Staff at the garden centre have been busy making big improvements over the last few months and the garden centre provides such a brilliant backdrop for this event. There will, of course, be social guideline measures in place to ensure everyone’s safety and we hope that people will pop down and pay us a visit.”

Heaton Fold Garden Centre, on Overdale Drive off Chorley New Road offers valuable work experience to adults with learning difficulties and has provided a home delivery service throughout the lockdown period.

Customers have been able to place orders for summer bedding plants for beds, pots or hanging baskets, perennials, shrubs, soil and compost.

Katherine added: “We absolutely love working with the guys from Heaton Fold. They have invested so much and it’s this brilliant partnership that has resulted in the market’s growth.

“When we took over running the market in 2018 we had a big challenge on our hands. The market was relatively small in comparison to what we have now and it’s great to see so many new makers and food producers coming on board all the time to provide variety each month.”

The market will run on the fourth Sunday of the month through to November with some additional Christmas markets planned for December and is open 10am until 3pm.

For further details and announcements please visit mwlevents.co.uk