Boatyard hosts first market since arson attack

Underfall Yard is welcoming visitors for its first event since a fire at the site

A 19th Century boatyard which was destroyed in an arson attack is hosting its first event since the fire.

Serial arsonist Robert Boyd-Stevenson was jailed for life after starting the blaze at Underfall Yard in Bristol on 6 May 2023.

This weekend, craftspeople and artisan producers are coming together in an outdoor market with up to 20 stalls.

Underfall Yard Trust director, Sarah Murray, said the event was a show of commitment to continuing "the yard's long legacy as a working boatyard".

The yard will play host to sea shanties, folk singers, food and drink stalls and live demonstrations of the yard's hydraulic pump house.

Traders are selling a range of products including ceramics, clothes, art and preserves

“For more than 150 years Underfall Yard has been the centre of trades, skills and crafts for Bristol Harbour," said Ms Murray.

"We are excited to extend our space to the makers of Bristol and welcome them to the heart of Bristol’s Harbour," she added.

The blaze in May 2023 caused millions of pounds worth of damage and destroyed three buildings and six boats. No one was injured in the incident.

Boyd-Stephenson, who admitted arson, had been working at the boatyard for three days as a maintenance coordinator when he lit the fire.

The fire destroyed the shed, boats, workshops, and led to local residents being evacuated

Ms Murray said: “The trust is committed to reinstating the workshops lost in the fire to continue the yard’s long legacy as a working boatyard.

"Opening up to traders and welcoming more members of the public is an important step along the journey to achieving this.”

The market is taking place from 10:00 to 18:00 BST on Saturday and Sunday.