One of Barbados’ most promising up-and-coming visitor and lifestyle destinations is gearing up to welcome guests back to its doors next month, with a slate of exciting new updates designed to cement its status as a must-visit location on the island. Haymans Market, located within a repurposed historic sugar factory in St Peter, will officially resume operations on October 1, following a four-week closure focused on facility improvements, new tenant onboarding, and expanding the range of experiences available to both local and international guests.
The upcoming reopening brings a host of tangible upgrades for visitors to enjoy, starting with a new permanent covering for the popular Cooling Deck, an open-air space on the market’s northwestern edge. Named for the historic cooling stations that once operated within the old sugar factory, the deck can now be comfortably used in any weather, from bright sunny afternoons to unexpected rain showers.
In a particularly exciting addition that ties the market’s industrial roots to Barbados’ world-famous beverage culture, the site will launch a brand-new Sugar and Rum Tour. Operations Manager Jacob Weatherhead explained that the guided attraction will walk guests through the history of sugar production at the former Haymans facility and across Barbados, ending with a curated rum tasting at the Cooling Deck Bar.
Beyond permanent new attractions, the market has released a full calendar of engaging events running through the end of 2024. The annual fan-favorite Haymans Halloween Haunt will return this year, running across two weekends: October 23–24 and October 30–31. This year’s event will feature four distinct haunted houses, traditional trick-or-treating for all ages, and a range of unexpected spooky surprises for attendees.
Looking further into the final quarter, a weekly Sunday Farmers’ Market will become a permanent fixture, joining the market’s already established quarterly Pop-Up and Vintage Markets, the Under The Sun Art Festival, and a full slate of seasonal holiday activities running through the Christmas period. Upcoming milestone events also include the market’s third anniversary celebration on December 1, 2025, and the international FRAME contemporary Art Fair scheduled to launch at the site in March 2027.
Since its initial opening on December 1, 2023, Haymans Market has seen rapid expansion that has far outpaced its original business plan. What launched as a local retail hub has grown into the largest indoor market in all of Barbados, now home to more than 85 separate businesses spanning local traders, artisan merchants, restaurants, and a wide range of service providers. Over the past 12 months of operation, the site has welcomed more than 250,000 total visits from locals and tourists alike.
Today, the market’s offerings extend far beyond traditional retail, with goods ranging from handcrafted Barbadian gifts, fine local art, one-of-a-kind souvenirs, and handmade fashion to custom homeware. Food offerings span from casual street food stalls to full-service fine dining restaurants, while the site also boasts a full suite of lifestyle amenities including a fully equipped gym, professional padel tennis courts, dedicated studios for yoga, Pilates, and Reiki, and an on-site contemporary art gallery.
One of the most notable markers of the market’s success, Weatherhead noted, is the growth of the local small businesses that launched with the venue. Multiple local entrepreneurs who got their start at Haymans in small 10-by-10-foot booths have already outgrown their initial spaces and moved into larger retail units within the market as they built loyal customer bases.
“We are particularly proud to see local entrepreneurs who began in small booths build loyal customer bases and move into larger spaces at Haymans. That growth is one of the clearest signs that the market is creating genuine opportunities for Barbadian businesses,” Weatherhead said. “These experiences reflect our wider ambition to make Haymans a place where Barbados’ history, culture and creativity can be experienced in engaging new ways.”
The Haymans Market site has a long history in Barbados’ sugar industry, and it has been fully restored for its new role as a community and visitor destination. The property, located just off Highway 2A in St Peter, was acquired by Sun Group Inc. in 2020, before being redeveloped into the multi-use market that operates there today.