The best bands around will descend on the North End Road summer market next week – and one act will walk away with the title of best band in the borough.

From head-banging rockers to soulful singers, the popular annual music contest will see exciting emerging acts take to the stage on Saturday 29 June.

And if you’re not in the mood for music? Don’t worry as there is even more to do at the popular traffic-free market, which runs from 9am-5pm.

There will be more than 150 stalls packed with food and gifts from across the globe, a plethora of street entertainment plus children’s fair rides and workshops.

“We look forward to seeing you all down at the pedestrian-friendly market for a fun day of food, music and entertainment,” said Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for the Economy and the Arts.

The summer market is part of the council’s popular series of traffic-free seasonal markets, which regularly attracts 15,000 visitors.

Fun for all the family

The line-up of street entertainment includes The Camel, the 10-foot tall stilt-walking Sergeant Majors duo and Betty Balloon creating mesmerising balloon sculptures before your very eyes to name a couple.

There will also be the launch of a recipe book showcasing affordable dishes following on from the success of the Rose voucher scheme, which helps local families access healthy food which they might not otherwise be able to afford.

The Battle of the Bands contest, sponsored by the Ibis Hotel in Lillie Road, will run throughout the day with the winners being announced at 5pm.

If that wasn’t enough music to your ears, there will be a talented line-up of buskers across the market too.

Ethical entrepreneur

West Kensington resident Stefan Menzies will be trading at his first traffic-free market next weekend.

The founder of XECO Clothing is bringing a vegan-friendly streetwear clothing line to North End Road.

“I can’t wait to do my first market on a traffic-free North End Road. We only started doing business last week,” said Stefan.

“I wanted to do something in my local area where there is a growing vegan community of businesses with the likes of GreenBay supermarket and 222 Vegan Cuisine restaurant.”

All of Stefan’s clothing line is fair wear and vegan friendly.

The father-of-one will be showcasing his ‘Equali = Tee’ t-shirt range at the market.

Be part of improving North End Road

The North End Road Action Group (NERAG) is made up of residents, businesses, market traders and local organisations who – alongside H&F Council – aim to boost North End Road as a thriving high street with its historic market at its core.

For more details, please email nerag@btconnect.com or call Nicki Burgess on 020 8753 5695.

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