Walk this way! Winchester businesses to unite for first ever Kings Walk Festival following renovations

Indie businesses from Winchester’s Kings Walk have got together to organise the inaugural Kings Walk Festival, promising live music, food and drink, makes and takes, and special discounts.

Taking place this Saturday 30th September between 10am and 5pm, the event comes following Winchester City Council’s recent renovations to the site, adding a new courtyard garden where visitors will be able to enjoy some live lunchtime jazz.

The area is also much more welcoming thanks to new lighting, signage and décor, with revamped seating outside The South Downs Social and Open House Deli.

Victoria McClure of BellaCrafts said: “It’s been brilliant to see the positive changes taking place.

“We’re really excited to be building relationships and collaborating with the talented business owners on our doorstep.”

With the festival fast approaching, Kings Walk’s craft businesses are gearing up to host a variety of free workshops throughout the day.

Design Junction are offering sessions in pottery and tufting; The Well Worn will help festivalgoers make a Sashiko stitch patch or mend old clothes; BellaCrafts are running Indian block printing and crown decorating for kids; and young performers can join in with workshops at The Nutshell theatre.

As for food and drink, South Downs Social are running a BBQ and craft beer bar on their terrace complete with DJ and live music, while Open House Deli will have an outside bar and free samples from local producers. BellaCrafts’ tea rooms will also be open for business.

Shoppers can also enjoy discounts at Polka Dot Piercing and Sunflowers Emporium, or try a free pilates class at the Winchester Pilates studio at noon.

Cllr Martin Tod, Leader of Winchester City Council, added: “I’m so pleased that the businesses are putting on this event.

“We’ve worked with them to plan our refurbishment of the building and make it a vibrant and attractive space, but ultimately, it’s the businesses themselves that make all the difference.

“We’re really ambitious for this part of the city as we work on the Central Winchester Regeneration programme.

“It’s great to be taking another step along that journey.”

King’s Walk Festival is supported by Winchester BID, Partnership Places, Jigsaw and Winchester City Council. The first 250 visitors will receive a free Kings Walk tote bag.

• kingswalkwinchester.co.uk