April 2, 2012 8.00 am This story is over 151 months old

Moroccan market to get royal opening

Royal visit: The upcoming Moroccan market will be welcoming some very special visitors to Lincoln next month.

The May market will be the third time the souk has visited Lincoln, since October and December last year.

The Moroccan market will not only make its return to Lincoln next month, but will be opened by Moroccan royalty.

Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala, Ambassador of His Majesty The King of Morocco to the Court of St James in London, will officially open the market on Wednesday, May 16.

The market will run until May 20, transforming central High Street and Cornhill areas into a realistic “souk”, with 36 stalls selling leather purses, wallets and bags, rugs, lamps, jewellery and more.

On the opening day of the market, city shoppers can also enjoy Moroccan music, performed by the Gnawa Band and Berber Band.

The opening ceremony could be aired live on Moroccan TV.

Lincoln BIG events and promotions manager Michael Armstrong said: “We are thrilled to announce that Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala and her party are to visit Lincoln.

“The Moroccan Markets are always very popular and they add an exotic flavour to the city centre, but this time this experience is going to be more exciting than ever.

“We know that these events help to strengthen trading links between the UK and Morocco, but they also attract shoppers from miles around and help to encourage more tourists to visit our beautiful city too.”

After the opening of the market, the Princess will also visit Chad Varah Primary School in Lincoln, who have been involved in the previous Moroccan markets.