First Smithgate social brings Wolverhampton's Market Square to life

Wolverhampton’s Market Square came alive in August for the first Smithgate Social.

Hosted by ECF, the free family-friendly festival brought together independent street food traders, artists and performers in the city’s largest civic space.

The event celebrated the progress being made at Smithgate, the new neighbourhood being delivered by ECF in partnership with City of Wolverhampton Council.

It was held against the backdrop of tower cranes and construction activity at Bicycle Works, the first phase of the wider regeneration. Smithgate will ultimately deliver up to 1,000 new homes, alongside shops, cafes, restaurants and public spaces.

The Smithgate Social event included live music and DJ sets, with Turkish, Thai and Indian street food, as well as delicious ice cream, craft activities and face painting for children.

Working with The Way Youth Zone and local graffiti artists, young people from across Wolverhampton also took part in hands-on workshops to help design a bold and colourful mural for the Smithgate hoardings.

Celebrating the best of the city, the new public artwork, which will remain on the hoardings throughout construction, captures what Wolverhampton means to young people today.

Smithgate Social was supported by Wolverhampton Council, with sponsorship from Howells, Cadence Projects, Caddick Construction, and CORE Five.

Basit Ali, Development Director at ECF, said:

“It was wonderful to see Market Square thriving and full of activity. As the city’s largest public space it deserves to be a focal point for civic life.

“Smithgate Social brought local families and communities into the city centre to celebrate what makes Wolverhampton special. It is only the start of what we want to deliver, as we work with our partners to create a welcoming new neighbourhood.”