What has Bristol’s Lord Mayor, the city’s historic St Nicholas Market, a Maserati, a yellow Ferrari and two Ducatis got in common?
It just could be that St Nicks is getting ready to celebrate the 10th annual Italian Auto Moto Show on April 28 and the Lord Mayor, Cllr Geoff Gollop, will have a lunch-time sneak preview during his tour of the award-winning market next Thursday
The Lord Mayor will meet some of the independent traders who offer local shoppers and visitors a wide range of quality, hand-made goods, unique gift items, artisan foods and niche clothing.
The six-day-a-week market has been operating for more than 300 years and boasts more than 100 traders with many more at the weekly street markets in Corn Street and Wine Street. It is Bristol’s largest outlet for independent traders and has won numerous awards, particularly for its independent food suppliers and traders.
But next weekend the area will take on an Italian flavour when the popular, day-long Auto Moto festival takes place.
Among the cars on display will be a Maserati 4200cc Coupe Cambio Corsa, a Ferrari 355 Spider and a Mike Hailwood Replica Ducati – one of a limited edition made by Ducati to celebrate Hailwood’s (unexpected) 1978 victory when it won the Isle Of Man TT F1 world championship.
The top-of-the-range Italian cars and motor bikes will be parked outside The Nails on Corn Street to mark the 10th anniversary of the annual Italian Auto Moto festival.
St Nicholas Market manager Steve Morris said: “We are delighted the Lord Mayor is coming to meet some of the traders.
“We make a tremendous contribution to the local economy – and thanks to regular customers, shoppers and visitors, the market continues to be one of the city’s best-loved places to shop and relax.”
The free Italian Auto Moto is believed to be the largest of its kind in the South West. It is organised by local sections of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, the Ducati Desmo Owners Club and Bristol City Council’s markets team.
