In many ways, Haymans Market has become a bustling world of its own. As Barbados’ largest indoor market, it has grown well beyond its original retail offering, bringing new experiences of food, culture, wellness and recreation to St. Peter.
The distinctive entrance to Haymans Market in Barbados welcomes visitors to a vibrant marketplace in a repurposed sugar factory. (Photo Credit: Leanne McGregor / Barbados Today)
Located just off Highway 2A, the expansive property exudes unmistakable industrial charm, a reminder that modern-day Haymans was once a working sugar factory. In fact, an old sugar-cane transport crane still hangs above the entrance, which, although no longer operational, is preserved as a prominent piece of the property’s history.
“The former Haymans Sugar Factory gave us an authentic identity and a meaningful connection to Barbados’ history. We had the opportunity to restore and reimagine the former Haymans Sugar Factory while retaining the character that makes the site distinctive,” said Jacob Weatherhead, Operations Manager of Haymans Market.
Jacob Weatherhead, Operations Manager of Haymans Market. (Photo Credit: Leanne McGregor / Barbados Today)
This legacy stretches back to 1649, when Haymans Plantation was established following the purchase of smaller plantations by English planter Henry Haymans. Sugar cane grown in the surrounding fields was brought here for processing, and over the centuries, the operation evolved from a wind-driven mill and open boiling operation into a modern, electrified factory.
Sugar production ended in 1988, and after years of disuse, the factory was purchased by Sun Group Inc. in 2020, setting in motion plans to give the property a new purpose.
Today, the restored former sugar factory is home to more than 85 businesses, comprising traders, merchants, restaurants and service providers. Among them are entrepreneurs whose businesses have visibly grown within Haymans, moving from modest 10-by-10-foot booths into significantly larger retail spaces.
Inside Haymans Market in Barbados, visitors can explore a lively collection of over 85 Traders, Merchants and food vendors offering shopping, dining and local island experiences under one roof. (Photo Credit: Leanne McGregor / Barbados Today)
“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.
Haymans’ value of “diversity, enthusiasm and a love for quality products” is reflected in its vendors, whose businesses span Barbadian gifts, souvenirs, fashion and homeware, alongside wellness services, street food and full-service dining. Markets, cultural events and community activities have become staple attractions, creating opportunities for local makers and independent traders while keeping the experience at Haymans fresh.
“We currently host a monthly Farmers’ Market, which will soon become a weekly Sunday event, along with quarterly Pop-Up and Vintage Markets,” the Operations Manager said.
At every corner of the property is a new reason to explore or linger. Increasingly, Weatherhead said, that experience is extending into wellness, leisure and recreation.
“The property has evolved into a health and wellness hub, with a fully equipped gym, padel tennis courts, and dedicated yoga, Pilates and Reiki studios. Visitors can also enjoy fresh-pressed juices from a dedicated juice bar, as well as pastries and baked goods from the on-site bakery.
Stay active and feel your best at Haymans Market, home to fitness facilities, pilates, reiki and a dedicated yoga studio for your wellness journey in Barbados
Haymans has also expanded its cultural offering with an on-site art gallery showcasing Barbadian and Caribbean art. The gallery gives visitors another reason to explore the expansive property and strengthens Haymans’ role as a destination for local culture and creativity.”
The Haymans Social restaurant at Haymans Market in Barbados, surrounded by vibrant dining and street food vendors offering local dishes and international cuisine, with over 25 food and drink options to explore
Amid the art, wellness and retail offerings, food is also one of Haymans’ main attractions. The Haymans Social, led by Culinary Director Jeremy Dupire, serves lunch and dinner throughout the week, adding Saturday breakfast and an all-day Sunday brunch to the mix. Behind the scenes, its full-service restaurant and bar are supported by a professional catering kitchen, while Haymans Market’s wider event spaces can accommodate events of up to 1 500 people. At The Cooling Deck Bar, the atmosphere is more relaxed beneath the property’s bearded fig trees, with views stretching towards Barbados’ west coast.
Discover The Cooling Deck at Haymans Market, an outdoor space where visitors can relax, shop and enjoy beautiful views in Barbados
Following a soft opening on December 1, 2023, Haymans Market was officially opened by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley at a ceremony on March 13, 2024. However, Haymans’ growth was not without challenges, as establishing a new destination and building consistent visitor patterns took time.
“The journey has involved a great deal of learning. In the early days, our greatest challenge was establishing Haymans Market as a new destination and building consistent patterns of visitation. As the businesses became more established and people became familiar with everything Haymans had to offer, foot traffic grew steadily,” Weatherhead said, noting that the market recorded 250 000 visits over the past year alone.
With Haymans now firmly established, Weatherhead said the long-term vision is to position it as one of Barbados’ leading lifestyle and visitor destinations, and a place people consider essential to experience when visiting the island:
Get active at Haymans Market with sports, fitness and recreation, including padel, alongside Pilates, yoga and reiki for a complete wellness experience in Barbados
“We see Haymans Market as the heart of a broader destination, bringing together shopping, dining, entertainment, wellness, professional services and community events within one historic setting.
As we grow, we want to attract a strong mix of established and emerging Barbadian businesses, create new reasons for people, locals and visitors, to visit throughout the week because there is always something happening, and continue restoring the former sugar factory and surrounding property in a way that respects its heritage.”
A stroll through the property becomes an immersive timelapse, tracing centuries of history alongside the modern experiences that now invite visitors to eat, explore, exercise or simply unwind at Haymans Market. A self-guided audio and visual tour explores Haymans’ story and the wider history of sugar production in Barbados.
Set against the distinctive St. Peter countryside, Haymans Market offers a different perspective on the island, with west coast views and expansive grounds adding to the sense of escape. It is approximately five minutes from Speightstown, ten minutes from Holetown and fifteen minutes from Warrens.
So, while it is Barbados’ largest indoor market, Haymans Market has grown into much more than a place to shop. It is now a lively destination where local business, dining, culture, wellness and recreation come together within a restored former sugar factory, and where Barbadian entrepreneurs have room to grow.
“Ultimately, we want Haymans to support local entrepreneurship, contribute positively to St. Peter and demonstrate how Barbados’ historic properties can be successfully reimagined for the future,” Weatherhead said.
(LM)
