Beachside Retail Avenue Hosts Two-Day Week-End Open Air Market With Entertainers, Artisans, Musicians and One Man Kitsch Stalls

Dubai: 14th January, 2009 - The Walk, Dubai's unique beachfront outdoor shopping avenue managed and developed by Dubai Retail, a subsidiary of Dubai Properties Group and a member of Dubai Holding, today announced the launch of Covent Garden Market Dubai, a weekly Friday-Saturday market, closely modeled on the lines of European street and open air seafront markets.

The inaugural weekly Covent Garden Market Dubai, launched on 9 January, will be open every Friday-Saturday weekend from 10.00am-8.00pm until April 2009 at Jumeirah Beach Residence in the Rimal Sector. With plenty of parking space and a number of restaurants, it hosts over 50 stalls, laden with original gifts, trinkets, jewellery, paintings, fashion, sculpture and homewares.

In addition to opportunities to buy unusual gifts, the weekly market boasts numerous talented street performers including magicians, drummers, opera singers, string quartets and acrobats to entertain and amaze the open air shoppers.

The market offers a vibrant and creative setting in which to relax, have a coffee or a meal and spend time with friends at the weekend - all akin to The Walk experience.

Haiyan Mujarkech, CEO of Dubai Retail, said: "Covent Garden Market Dubai is an entertaining opportunity to families, offering diverse shopping experience and a multitude of attractions. The event combines spectacular ambience with enticing sights and sounds of the street entertainers. We believe the weekend event will bring our community together in a distinctly informal setting at The Walk."

"Our specialty lies in offering an open-air ambience to shoppers and the weekly street market extensively enhances the appeal of The Walk with its 305-plus global brands. "

Covent Garden Market Dubai has been created exclusively for the Walk as a venue at which Dubai's growing band of aspiring artists, entertainers and artisans can showcase their work. It is a unique shopping experience for Dubai residents and tourists, with an ambience that distinctly characterizes beachfront lifestyle.

Claire Locking, Marketing Manager Convent Garden Market Dubai, said: "The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is the most ideal venue for us to kick-start Convent Garden Market Dubai. The market is intended to be a celebration of traditional industries, culture, entertainment and artists, encouraging and providing an outlet to unknown producers, entertainers and creative talents in Dubai.

"The Walk lends itself to the market, offering a market square environment and café culture. It offers the residents and tourists exciting atmosphere and entertaining retail experience. It is a must see and must do experience!"

As Dubai's exclusive beachfront retailer, The Walk is set to emerge as a premium shopping destination and mark Dubai Retail's emphatic footprint in the region's retail industry. 

Dubai Retail is committed to delivering innovative and pioneering concepts to the retail sector. With in-depth market knowledge, Dubai Retail aims to grow as a leading retail solutions provider in the region and abroad.

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About The Walk
'The Walk' at Jumeirah Beach Residence is Dubai's first & only outdoor shopping concept by the Beach, offering a wide range of shopping, dining and leisure activities. Established in 2008 by Dubai Retail, a subsidiary of Dubai Properties Group and a member of Dubai Holding, The Walk stretches across  1.7 kilometer long  avenue overlooking the Arabian Ocean, and boasts over 305 retail shops in both its ground and plaza levels. Designed to meet the needs of over 20,000 residents and visitors in the surrounding towers, The Walk's mix of retail & hospitality outlets includes Designer Boutiques, Cafes and Restaurants, Supermarkets, Jewellery and Gifts, Home Furnishing, Fashion and Accessories, Health & Beauty, as well as Banks and Money Exchange services.

For further information, please contact:
Muhannad Al Badri
Jiwin
Tel: +971 4 361 3572
Fax: + 971 4 3688001
E-mail: muhannad.albadri@jiwin.ae

Jan Dabrowa
Jiwin
Tel: +971 4 374 8566
Mobile: +971 5 922 3684
Fax: + 971 4 3688001
E-mail: jan.dabrowa@jiwin.ae

Zeina Chams
Dubai Retail
Tel: +971 4 435 1149
Fax:+ 971 4 435 1199
Email: Zeina.chams@dubairetail.ae

© Press Release 2009