OPENING TIMES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) (LAST UPDATED 05AUG10pm)
Thursday 5th August
10am to 5pm
Friday 6th August
10am to 5pm
Saturday 7th August
10am to 10.45am (Pause for Funeral at St Magnus Catherdal)
11.45am to 5pm
Sunday 8th August
10am to 5pm
Monday 9th August
10am to 4pm
There will be a 'no waiting' policy, if the beach is full please come back later. In the event that the area is very busy we will implement a wrist band system and with a maximum length of stay.
Kirkwall BID presents Costa del Kirkwall
Sun, Sea and Broad Street Sands!
Join Kirkwall BID for a unique summertime experience. For one week only the Broad Street car park will be transformed into a genuine seaside experience with golden sands, deck chairs and miniature crazy golf.
This FREE town centre playa will bring a splash of colour to the heart of Kirkwall as a safe, outdoor meeting space to enjoy with friends and family. We can guarantee it will be a shark-free zone!
Kirkwall BID member businesses will be promoting their products and services throughout the town as well as decorating their windows with a seaside holiday theme.
The sand between your toes will be provided by Orkney Builders; their kind sponsorship of this beautiful urban beach has helped bring the idea to reality for BID Manager Laura Bruce. “This is an idea I’ve wanted to bring to Kirkwall for a few years now and with covid-19 restrictions, an outdoor space to put your feet up whilst you’re exploring all that Kirkwall has to offer, seemed like great timing. In a year when so many things we look forward to have been postponed and cancelled, we encourage people of all ages to pop along and have a bit of fun this summer.”
Stephen Kemp of Orkney Builders said “It’s lovely for us to be able to support this brilliant initiative. I have fond memories from my youth of street events like the St Magnus Fair, and I am delighted that Kirkwall BID initiatives like this will ensure the bairns today get to have the same sort of fun that we did!”
Orkney Islands Council Community Learning & Development team are keen to use this event to encourage Young Scot cardholders to support their town centre. Cardholders can check in with any of the Beach Stewards to receive Young Scot Card reward points as well as get their hands on some free Young Scot merchandise.
Cheryl Rafferty, OIC’s, CLD Team Leader, Youth Services, said: “We hope the buzz around this fun space will shine a spotlight on our wonderfully diverse and unique high street, and help raise awareness of how a Young Scot card can benefit not only young people but also the businesses who sign up to offer rewards and discounts.
“Young Scot cards are available free of charge to all young people aged 11 to 25 living in Scotland, and many will be dropping through the doors in the next couple of weeks for pupils who will be going into S1.
“Cards can be used to access exclusive rewards and discounts and we’re delighted to be working with Kirkwall Bid and businesses across Orkney to encourage them to consider offering a Young Scot benefit, as another way of inspiring people to think and shop local.”
Young Scot cardholders will be able to travel free on Stagecoach bus services to the events. Jay Anderson, Operations Manager for Stagecoach in Orkney, said: “'We are pleased to be able to offer anyone with a Young Scot card free travel on the 5th and 9th August to attend this event from Kirkwall BID aimed at promoting local organisations. This is a great community project which we are delighted to be a part of.”
Volunteers from Voluntary Action Orkney as well as Kirkwall BID businesses, will be on hand to ensure the beach is kept clean and safe, and that Covid-19 precautions are adhered to.
BID Chair, Duncan Mclean added “Pick up a picnic from some of our fabulous food outlets, a bucket and spade from a local retailer, and cool off with a refreshing ice-cream treat from a nearby shop. Broad Street was the original seafront when St Magnus Cathedral was built. This summer, for the first time in nearly 1000 years, enjoy the Costa del Kirkwall!”
