CREWE Market Hall is hosting a virtual gig to showcase the type of entertainment that will be on offer when the shopping venue reopens next month.

Crewe Live, a virtual gig and entertainment experience will be streamed through social media on this Saturday (April 10) to support local artists and give customers a taste of what is to come.

The Market Hall is throwing open its doors again on May 17 after a £3 million revamp, with an official launch planned on June 21 when it is hoped all restrictions on social interaction will have been lifted.

The hall's new operators, Market Asset Management, have already lured a number of traders as they plan a radical shift on more traditional markets by creating a venue that offers a mix of street food, fresh food as well as retail businesses and a stage and communal seating area for people to enjoy entertainment and community events.

These will include weekly live music sessions.

The Crewe Live showcase event features live music and spoken word performances from local artists Meg Lee, Oli Ng and Jamie Lynch.

DD Music Group is recording the event and safety measures in place and all participants will undertake rapid tests on the day.

Director of Market Asset Management Hayden Ferriby said: "The pleasure of listening to live music is immeasurable. Seeing a musician bring out the joy in audiences is something we have all missed, and local musicians have been hard hit by COVID over the past year.

"We are looking forward to being able to offer a platform for local artists at Crewe Market