Haymans Market set to reopen October 1 with expanded experiences

Haymans Market is set to reopen on October 1 following a month-long closure with new retailers, upgraded amenities and expanded visitor experiences as the St Peter attraction continues its push to become one of the island’s leading lifestyle and visitor destinations.

The reopening will feature improvements, including a newly covered section of The Cooling Deck, the introduction of a Sugar and Rum Tour and a calendar of events extending through the final quarter of the year.

According to Jacob Weatherhead, operations manager of Haymans Market, the latest developments form part of the establishment’s continued growth.

“Today, Haymans Market is Barbados’ largest indoor market, bringing together local shopping, a food hall, dining, events, culture, and health and wellness within one of Barbados’ old sugar factories,” he said, noting that Haymans has grown “well beyond  its original retail offering”.

The Cooling Deck, an outdoor area on the northwestern side of the market, is named after the cooling stations once used in the former sugar factory. The new covering will allow visitors to enjoy more of the deck comfortably in both sun and rain.

Weatherhead described the Sugar and Rum Tour as “a guided journey through the history of sugar production at Haymans and in Barbados, concluding with a Barbadian rum tasting at The Cooling Deck Bar.”

October will also see the return of the Haymans Halloween Haunt on October 23 and 24 and October 30 and 31, with four haunted houses, trick-or-treating and “plenty of spooky surprises”.

The final quarter will include Haymans’ Farmers’ Market, which is set to become a weekly Sunday event, alongside its quarterly Pop-Up and Vintage Markets, Under The Sun Art Festival, and seasonal activities through Christmas.

Since opening on December 1, 2023, Haymans Market has grown to more than 85 businesses, comprising a mix of traders, merchants, restaurants and service providers, and has recorded over 250 000 visits during the past year.

“The offering now ranges from Barbadian gifts, art, souvenirs, fashion and homeware to wellness services, street food and full-service dining,” he said.

Weatherhead noted that several entrepreneurs who started in ten-by-ten-foot booths have since moved into larger spaces. 

“We are particularly proud to see local entrepreneurs who began in small booths build loyal customer bases and move into larger spaces at Haymans. That growth is one of the clearest signs that the market is creating genuine opportunities for Barbadian businesses,” he said. 

Haymans’ lifestyle amenities include a fully equipped gym, padel tennis courts, dedicated yoga, Pilates and Reiki studios, as well as an on-site art gallery.

“These experiences reflect our wider ambition to make Haymans a place where Barbados’ history, culture and creativity can be experienced in engaging new ways,” he said.

Weatherhead revealed that upcoming events include Haymans Market’s third anniversary on December 1, and the FRAME Art Fair, an international contemporary art fair scheduled for March 2027.

Located just off Highway 2A in St Peter, Haymans Market operates within the restored former Haymans Sugar Factory, which was acquired by Sun Group Inc. in 2020.

(LM)