Donation helps make over Banff art and crafts hub
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A BANFF art and crafts hub is up and running – with improvements funded by a donation from local Freemasons – after coronavirus brought the venture to a premature halt in spring.
A collection of traders set up shop at The Mercat, in Low Street, back in March, selling vintage goods, crafts and souvenirs. These include two second-hand shops and Banff's only independent music shop.
The Mercat aims to be a shared space for artisans to display and sell their hand-crafted wares. The owner, along with the project's volunteers, hopes to attract artists, crafters, writers and musicians to set up home there in future.
Also housed in the building is the Banffshire Tourist Hub and Banff Indoor Markets. Regular indoor markets are planned.
A new group, The Mercat Craft Association, is being formed to help local makers market their creations.
Banff Freemasons recently got behind the vibrant art and business project, handing over a £500 donation to help spruce up the premises. This has paid for new signage, new lighting and a repaint.
The project had been put on hold after just a few weeks in operation due to Covid-19.
Maggie Driver, owner of the Mercat, said: "We would like to say a big thank-you to Banff Masons for their generous grant of £500.
"This has enabled us to buy new lighting, paint and new signage for the front of The Mercat.
"We currently have eight local crafters renting shelf space in the shop.
"We are in the process of forming a crafters association for the area. This will give crafters the much-needed support they require to market their goods.
"We definitely have something for everyone at The Mercat."
Banff Masons' provincial grand master for Banffshire, Eric MacGregor, said: "It was wonderful to help The Mercat with a donation, which has enabled them to decorate and transform their building, as well as the new signage which looks fantastic.
"The Freemasons have a history of promoting deserving causes and Maggie Driver and the team of crafters and volunteers is one such cause.
"To assist local crafters is particularly suited to our historic involvement in Banff."
He added: "Freemasons have been in Banffshire since the 1700s and were very much involved with many parades and the laying of foundation stones to buildings, famously witnessed on the Banff Bridge, on the underside of the seventh arch on the Macduff side.
"Historically, local Freemasons have raised funds for widows and, in more recent times, have disbursed funds to deserving causes in and around the Banffshire area.
"We look forward in assisting others in the future once we can return to more happier times."
