New addition to Street Markets

With monthly street markets already proving hugely popular in Northenden, Withington and Chorlton, where they take place on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of the month respectively, even more Manchester residents will now have the opportunity to shop for high quality local produce on their doorsteps.

Residents of West Didsbury and Levenshulme will no longer have to make the journey into the city centre to pick up foodstuffs and crafts from local producers, as some of the region's best loved independent retailers bring their goods direct to their neighbourhood.

The Street Markets are thriving in other areas of the city, where as well as providing a great shopping opportunity they also act as a community event, bringing residents face to face with the people behind local businesses and putting some personality back into the traditional shopping experience.

Indeed, shoppers at Chorlton Street market last weekend were positive about the community spirit created by the market. Local resident Leia said: “Chorlton already has a strong sense of community, that's what I love about it. But the atmosphere at the market is brilliant; it brings people together. And it's so good to be able to meet and chat to the people who make the food and cakes and things, some of them are really inspiring."

At the markets, local residents will be able to browse and shop for all sorts of foodstuffs; from locally reared meat, fruit 'n' veg and fish to luxury handmade chutneys, jams, cakes and other delicacies.

You'll find gourmet, quality meat from Savin Hill Farm, who rear rare breed cattle, pigs and Cumbrian lamb in the picturesque Lake District. Regulars to the city centre Real Food market will already be familiar with the produce, which includes mouth-watering gourmet sausages, delicious pies, and a range of high quality beef, pork and lamb produce.

Fresh fish will come courtesy of Wythenshawe based fish monger O'Neill’s, bringing a broad range of fish and seafood products from scallops to sea bass, and black sea bream to Whitby cod. Fishmonger Danny O'Neill is looking forward to the launch of the West Didsbury and Levenshulme Street Markets, saying 'it's going to be good. Everyone's really excited about it - there's going to be a real buzz'.

As well as established independent food businesses, the Street Markets provide an excellent platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their small, start-up businesses. One such company is Trove Foods, a community minded organic food business created by Manchester couple Marcus and Katy. Trove makes and sells a great range of unusual and traditional jams and preserves, from marrow and ginger marmalade to elderberry and gooseberry jam, as well as homemade stews, cordials, compotes and baked goods.

Other small local businesses taking stalls at the markets include Peach Pie, a traditional homemade cake company run by friends Michelle and Vicky, Amy Robison's Cheshire based Butterfly Cupcakery, and The English Rose Bakery - who'll be bringing their popular, brightly coloured macaroons to the residents of West Didsbury and Levenshulme.

Chorlton resident Sheila Dawes, who was shopping at Chorlton Street Market last weekend, said: “It's just brilliant - we love it. We came down last month for the first time and got really carried away, there's so much great food here. We've been to the Piccadilly farmers' market a few times but it's just so good now to have this around the corner from our house.”

As well as food produce, at West Didsbury and Levenshulme Street Markets there'll also be stalls selling handmade gifts and crafts, clothing, records and homeware items - making them an ideal place to pass an afternoon of browsing and picking up a few unique bargains.

Levenshulme Street Market will take place on Friday March 25th in the heart of Levenshulme, in the car park behind Levenshulme Station. West Didsbury Street Market will then set up shop the next day, Saturday 26th, in front of The Withington Community Hospital.

So whether you live across the road, around the corner, or a 20 minute walk away, the new street markets will be an excellent opportunity to learn about and support some of the local businesses in your community, as well as a convenient way to stock up on unique, high quality food produce without having to brave the crowds and traffic of the city centre.

Levenshulme Street Market, Stockport Road, M19 3AD
Friday 25th March and the 4th Friday of every month.

West Didsbury Street Market, Nell Lane, M20 2RL
Saturday 26th March and the 4th Saturday of every month.