A weekly arts market inspired by the Left Bank in Paris is coming to Malvern.

Belle Vue Island will be used to showcase the work of artists and performers every Sunday between 10am and 4pm.

The weekly festival is called En Plein Air, which means ‘in open air’ and is the brainchild of Chris Lee, who runs the Amaze charity shop in Bellevue Terrace.

“I look out of my shop window and see the railings on the island, the abbey and the trees and it’s just like being in Paris,” he said.

Malvern Gazette: Belle Vue Island will host performers and artistsBelle Vue Island will host performers and artists (Image: Chris Lee)

“So I started thinking what it would be like to have art displayed on the island. I did it once and I was amazed at the response.

“Now we’re going to do it properly - I’ve got a grant from the council and permission to run it.

“We are going to have 25 pitches for local artists - and that’s not just painters but potters, photographers and other creatives - as long as it is Malvern-produced and of good quality.

“There will also be a performance area for school groups, dancers and other performers.”

Chris is hoping the festival will help to boost Sunday trade in Great Malvern, which he says tends to be “pretty quiet”.

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“We want to attract people into the town,” he said. “Footfall isn’t great on Sundays at the moment.

“I talk to traders and say you won’t get anyone coming in if the shop is shut - but I get it, no-one wants to be the first to start opening up on Sundays and with wages, lighting and heating, it’s expensive.

“But this is really exciting. We will create an amazing, colourful spectacle in the middle of Malvern that will attract people from far and wide.”

The weekly events will start on August 6 and will take place every Sunday up until Christmas.

Artists who would like a pitch can call into the Amaze shop or email hello.amazingideas@gmail.com for more information.

Malvern Hills District Council and Waitrose have already offered their support but the initiative is looking for more sponsors so interested businesses are asked to get in touch.