10/11/2011

What started off nine weeks ago as a producers’ market in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge, is growing into a proper haven for food lovers.  The market, which will soon reach its capacity of 40 stalls, is growing week on week and is now attracting in the region of 1,500 people every Sunday.  It is manned mainly by the producers or importers themselves so customers can find out exactly where their food and crafts have come from and how the products have been reared or made. 

There is no doubting the quality of the fish, meat, game, vegetables, bread, cheeses, homebakes, olives, condiments, confectionary and craft goods on display.  Market manager, Beth Berry, said: “We have had very positive feedback with customers returning time and again.  Not only have they been impressed by the quality of produce, they love the fact that they are speaking to the producers themselves and hearing first-hand what makes their product special.  Added to that, we have managed to create a real continental-style atmosphere with visitors enjoying the friendly banter with the stallholders and loving the leafy park setting. We set up areas around the market with tables and chairs so customers can buy their coffee, croissant, crepe or cakes and enjoy them on site. Some traders come every week, and some occasionally, so we have something different every week”

A keen stallholder and participant from week one is David Ridley, an award-winning fishmonger and game supplier from Northumberland.  He commented: “Our whole business is built around market trading in the North East of England and Scotland and, at the moment, Stockbridge Market is, without a doubt, the best.  There is a great atmosphere.  It is very relaxed and people take the time to browse around the stalls, ask questions and really find out about the produce before they buy.”

Stallholder Mary Howlett attends many farmers’ markets and says that Stockbridge is ‘wonderful’.  Selling her own free-range chickens and naturally reared meat from her hill farm in the Borders, her ethos is in perfect keeping with that of the market.  Mary said: “We believe that free range farming is about the relationship with the land and nature, with the livestock and the customer who is choosing to buy the produce from these well cared for animals.  This process sustains the most natural way of farming and lets us all share in the production of good food.”

Stockbridge Market is open from 10.00 am until 5.00 pm every Sunday and is located in Jubilee Gardens (at the corner of Saunders Street and Kerr Street). Check the web site www.stockbridgemarket.com for a list of all producers, and follow us on Facebook at Stockbridge Market where you can see lots of photos of the market.

• »Terms And Conditions
• »Our Privacy Policy
• »Contact Us