By Kirsty Lee Wilkins
Summer in Edinburgh, on a good day, often means a barbeque on the Meadows. Or perhaps a cocktail outside one of the city’s restaurants. Combine the better weather with the current move towards outdoor eating and the result: The Neighbourgood Market, the new open-air food concept in Stockbridge.
Arriving at The Grange Club late one Thursday afternoon, a one-way system leads me onto the grounds, where street-food vans line one edge and a guitarist plays acoustic tunes under a bedouin tent. Over on the other side, Tribe Yoga has sent up stationary bikes to take outdoor spinning classes, social-distancing style.
The food & drinks
One reason the market holds appeal is the emphasis on independent, Edinburgh-based brands, given it’s become increasingly important to support local restaurants. I headed straight for the Edinburgh Gin “tipple trailer” for a G&T – but for those driving, Brew Lab and Don’t Tell Mama serve up caffeine (two of my favourite coffee shops in the city). Admittedly, I followed my gin and tonic with white from Stockbridge wine bar Good Brothers but food-wise, the flatbreads from The Caravan of Courage, an 80s Elddis caravan, caught my eye.
Contactless payments
To avoid handing over cash, the various vans accept payment via Deliveroo: all you need to do is click on the app, hit “pick-up” at the top, then find the stall you want. I’ve only used delivery apps for, well, actual deliveries – not collecting a Prosecco. But being able to order from a spot on the lawn, listening to music and people-watching, instead of queuing up made a heap of difference. You can also pay via card at the stalls if you prefer.
Social distancing
Considering this is Edinburgh’s first entirely contactless market, a big emphasis is on maintaining healthy (physical) boundaries. Circles are drawn in chalk across the lawn, demarcating areas for groups of up to five to chill out – and ordering in advance means you can pick up your order when there are fewer people hovering. “We introduced ‘skip the queue with Deliveroo’ to help keep customers safe and ensure social distancing,” explains Deliveroo Growth Manager Scotland, Koen Feyen. And of course, the one-way system creates the necessary space. (K. Wilkins)
Opening times
Wednesday to Sunday: 12pm – 8pm until the end of August
The Neighbourgood Market
The Grange Club, Portgower Place, Edinburgh, EH4 1HQ
