AN ARTISAN market is set to return to a major leisure park in Basildon alongside a rock choir performance.

Festival Leisure Park, in Basildon, has confirmed a popular artisan market will be back on Sunday, July 2.

This time it will be accompanied by the Rock Choir.

The choir, a community based around Essex, will be performing a medley of famous hits and crowd favourites on the outside plaza at 1pm, bringing high energy and excitement for market day.

The Artisan Market itself will run from 11am to 4pm outside the main entrance, weather permitting, showcasing a range of independent sellers.

Matthew Chambers, centre manager at Festival Leisure Park, urged all residents to visit and enjoy a day out.

He said: “Our artisan market is always a popular event and runs every month here at Festival Leisure Park.

“This time we are thrilled to be joined by Rock Choir for a high energy, fun filled performance for an extra special event.

“Make sure you stop by on your trip to the park, we can’t wait to welcome you.”

Some of the independent sellers include Ty Hapus, Giraffe Cheesecake Crochet, Laurens Plush and Stuff, Pots and What Nots, Tom’s Wood Craft, Kallima Spiritual Centre, and Sewrandom.

The free performance by the Rock Choir will also be raising funds for the Mental Health Foundation – a UK wide “leading charity for everyone’s mental health”.

This will not be the only market coming to Basildon Festival Leisure this year, with others set to take place later in 2023 on dates including August 6, September 3, and October 1.

This month Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park – affectionately known as Bas Vegas – is celebrating its 25th anniversary since opening back in 1997.

While the site has changed a lot in the last three decades many will remember its time as life and soul of the town’s nightlife scene.

Basildon’s nightclub scene was famous, with people coming to the area from all over the county.