BUSINESSES in Kings Walk have showcased what they have to offer in its inaugural festival.
Described as "a showcase of the area’s eclectic blend of independent businesses", the festival in Winchester saw live music, delicious food and free tasters, as well as make and takes and special discounts.
The festival proved to be a success when it took place on Saturday, September 30, with the various businesses getting involved in what was a lively event.
From craft events from BellaCrafts, to showcases of magic at the Nutshell, there was plenty to keep attendees entertained in the courtyard of the newly revamped Kings Walk.
Victoria McClure runs BellaCrafts alongside her sister Belinda.
BellaCrafts is a craft activity centre which offers activities such as pottery painting and even has a tea room and soft play area.
She told the Chronicle: "Today has been brilliant, it's beyond our expectations. It was so busy, setting up extra tables this morning last minute, but we're really pleased with the turnout, I've loved it.
"Today, we've been doing crown decorating and Indian block printing on tote bags which have been popular.
"A lot of families have met up with friends and it's nice to see that people have used this as a social as well as just activities.
Harriet Morris is the executive director of The Nutshell, which provided entertainment including live music and a magician.
She said: "It's so lovely to see all our hard work come together after quite a long time of working together on this group project.
"Today, the Nutshell has had free workshops for children aged four to thirteen, and we have live jazz playing too.
"We're also doing open tours of the venue, to get people into an iconic building which once was the antiques market, and see it in its new use.
"It's a fantastic use of the space, it's brilliant that the council have invested in the courtyard area in particular.
"Kings Walk is a creative, social, localised business vision and everyone has worked really hard to create this vibrant festival today, and this work continues throughout the year so we want people to pop down and engage with us."
Magician Mark Shortland, who featured on Britain's Got Talent, has an upcoming show at The Nutshell on October 27.
He provided entertainment throughout the festival, performing card tricks to attendees.
He said: "This is a nice little area, everyone has been very positive at this festival and it's great to be a part of it."
You can watch him perform one of his card tricks here:
@hampshire_chronicle #BritainsGotTalent star Mark Shortland performs a magic trick in Winchester #bgt #magictrick #cardtrick #magician #antanddec ♬ original sound - Hampshire Chronicle
Neil Wyatt, the founder of South Downs Social, spoke to the Chronicle, he said: "It's been fantastic today, the response has been brilliant and it's really nice to see people discovering what the businesses in Kings Walk do.
"We moved in, in November 2021, and it's fair to say that the building and the environment and the whole area have really changed a lot since then.
"If you look at where we were last summer compared to now, it's completely different.
"It's such a warm, welcoming and inviting place to come now, and this is just the start."
Nici Simon, founder of Nici Simon Jewellery, based upstairs in the South Downs Social building, was showcasing some of her work.
She said: "It's been really nice to see a lot of people in the space today, there has been a really nice buzz.
Milli McGregor, whose art and design business is based next door to Nici's, was also showcasing her artwork.
She said: "There has been good energy and the weather has been nice today, it's nice to have the footfall here today."
Emily Ralph and Rosie Spurrier teach tufting and pottery workshops at Design Junction.
They offered demonstrations and small workshops at the festival.
Emily said: "It's been really lively today, with a lot of good energy."
Rosie added: "Kings Walk has not had too much attention until recently, but now that it's been done up, that's changed and I think people are really enjoying it."
The city council has invested £300,000 in the revamp of Kings Walk. In the long-term it will be the heart of the Central Winchester Regeneration. The previous schemes for the development of the Silver Hill area has proposed the demolition of the 1970s office block.
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