Thousands flock to Beccles for popular antiques street market

Beccles Antique street market. (Image: ©Archant 2014)

One hundred stalls selling everything from furniture to paintings and ornaments to clothes lined the streets, as dealers, collectors and residents wandered around the town.

Beccles Antique street market. (Image: ©Archant 2014)

The market was started five years ago by Christine Pinsent and Kate Lee, who owns Blyburgate Antiques. They started holding a market each year with 50 stalls, and the event has become so popular that they now hold two markets a year with 100 stalls.

Mrs Lee said: 'When we started it there was nothing like this held in Beccles so we thought we would give it a go and see if it was supported and it has just grown from there.

'One of the reasons why the market is so successful is because there is such a mix of things being sold.

'We have people travelling from as far as Essex and Cambridge to come visit us and it has really put Beccles on the map.'

As well as antiques, visitors could enjoy a wide range of street food or pop into the many shops and cafes which opened specially for the day.

Mrs Pinsent added: 'The market didn't open until 8am but we had people here at 6am wanting to buy things.

'Everyone seemed like they really enjoyed it and there was such a lovely atmosphere.'

As well as making a donation to Help for Heroes, Mrs Lee and Mrs Pinsent will be supporting Durrants auctioneer Rebecca Mayhew, who is raising money for Walk the Walk, a grant-giving breast cancer charity. Two valuers from Durrants in Beccles were given money to buy items from the market, which will then be auctioned off at Durrants next Friday, with all proceeds going to the charity.

The next Beccles antiques street market will be held on August 24 from 8am to 4.30pm.