VINTAGE vendors in Boscombe are hoping a ‘pop-up’ market at the Russell Cotes Museum and Gallery will encourage people to check out the eclectic goods the area has on offer.

The Boscombe Vintage Market has been a big hit with shoppers since it was set up in October 2010 to showcase local wares, and there was an outcry in March when it was feared the market might be evicted from the Royal Arcade.

However, with their picturesque base secure for the time-being, organisers are bringing the market to the East Cliff museum on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

Organiser and Boscombe Regeneration Partnership worker Sally Turner said: “This is a big thing for the market and it will be the first time the museum has had something like this too.

“It is a great setting and as well as a selection of stalls there will be live music from local harpist Marieke Beyer and singer Pollyanna Price, who perform sometimes at the Royal Arcade.

“We have done pop-up markets before, at the Larmer Tree Festival for instance, and the idea is to get the Boscombe name out there with a decent reputation.

“The market has traditionally brought people into Boscombe who wouldn’t have visited otherwise, and many of these people have gone on to discover other great things about the area.”

The market will be set up near the Victorian museum’s recently refurbished Urban Renaissance café.

In May the regular market, on the first Saturday of each month, was confirmed in Boscombe’s Royal Arcade for a further six months by the building’s owners, Arnewood Estates.

Ms Turner added: “The arcade management are supporting us and have recognised that we are increasing footfall. We have a close relationship and talks are on-going.”

A number of stallholders have gone on to start their own businesses, including Kaotichandbag Geek Boutique, What Alice Found and Cotton Candy Designs.