Community Friendly Hairdresser at Cambridge Market

Local resident and hairdresser Jo Harding started trading at Cambridge Market back in May this year, and with it, brought a new and unique idea with her. The business, ‘Echo Cuts’, sees Jo save all the trimmings of hair she cuts, which is then bagged up and given to people to use, free of charge, as compost. Although the idea is new to the market scene, the actual concept has been around a long time, Jo’s grandparents using it for years when planting his slow growing plants. The uniqueness of an outside hairdressers has not only been a hit with the locals who use the market, but has also caught the attention of a lot of the tourists who visit the city. Having a stall at the market enables Jo to keep her prices down and offer visitors to the market a more convenient and affordable hair cut. Jo told MTN, “A lot of people can find high street salons intimidating, not to mention expensive. When I first got into hairdressing getting your haircut was always seen as a necessity, however nowadays it’s seen more as a luxury. With being able to offer lower prices I hope I can turn this back around to how it use to be so that people can afford it more often, and if your hair is good you feel good. Also my customers see that their cut offs are being put to good use by helping the environment. Having worked at salons previously I’ve seen just how much wastage there can be, but it doesn’t have to be like that.” A lot of people use the compost on their allotments and gardens, then call Jo when they want some more and then pick it up or she can deliver it by bicycle. She if often seen biking to and from appointments and the market, which is another of many ways that Jo helps the environment and is currently having a new bike trailer made with advertising space on it available for small businesses. She is also in the process of looking for a spinner, which means she can knit it together and give people the choice of having it either knitted or as it comes. Alongside keeping her business green and helping the environment Jo also does a fantastic job in supporting and raising the profile of local charities. Every haircut that Jo makes sees £1.00 go to a local charity and she dedicates roughly three months worth of money to an individual charity. Between May to August she helped the charity Childrens A + E at Addenbrookes (started by Junior Sister Byrne) and her donation helped buy new books for the patients. She is currently supporting the Arthur Rank Adult Hospice (September to December) and is looking at which local charity she will be supporting in January. All volunteers who work at the charities also get Community Friendly Hairdresser at Cambridge Market offered a free haircut. In summing up Jo told MTN, “The reason I do it is to try and raise the profile of our local charities, as well as donating to them. It is important that we give back to our local communities. People are quick to moan about the economy, yet they still order the majority of things online. They would genuinely be surprised if they came down and supported the local market at just how great it is, thus giving something back locally. The atmosphere at the market is fantastic, especially between us traders. Considering we are all independent businesses the teamwork is second to none, always helping each other out. Its almost like we are one big family, I love it there.” What does the future hold for Jo and Echo Cuts, Well, “One day I really hope I can expand the business and idea so it can be used at markets across the UK. Too help benefit local charities up and down the UK and of course the environment nationwide would be fantastic.”
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MARKET MATTERS - COLD FEET

How are the January sales for you? Lots of Shoppers seem to be voting with their feet and deserting the High Street in favour of online sales. ‘Why suffer cold and wet feet traipsing in search of bargains when you can stay at home and do it online?’ was the thinking behind another Government-supported attempt to revive our emptying High Streets. First there was the DCLGsponsored ‘Portas review’, then the ‘Town Team’ competition and the private ‘Grimsey Review’ and now it’s the turn of the ‘Distressed Town Centre Property Taskforce’ sponsored by the HM Treasury. You can download it from http://policy.bcsc.org.uk/beyondretail/index.asp It covers the usual big issues – lack of funding, online sales, fragmented land ownership and parking policy etc and outlines interesting initiatives such as the ‘retail business incubators’ in Cold Feet Wolverhampton and Tamworth. 

Also how Rotherham provides revenue and capital support for fledgling businesses. Some Councils like Birkenhead and Rochdale are promoting their High Street Markets as ‘retail differentiators’ and there’s a good argument to be had about why this hasn’t happened before. But like the reviews before it this one offers little else but local policy support for SME’s (‘Small and Medium-sized Enterprises’). There’s a nice picture of Stockport Market Hall and some welcome discussion of ‘provision of mentoring and...social media for independent retailers and small businesses’, but I can’t help thinking the review is still missing the blindingly obvious. SME’s are less deterred by the cost of rent and rates than the administrative burden of paperwork they encounter as they expand. If HM Treasury is serious about encouraging SME’s as ‘the engine room of the economy’ then it needs to take a long-term approach to relaxing Vat rules, tax thresholds, NI and employment legislation which apply to small businesses. Those costs are outside the control of any independent retailer and a very real disincentive to growth. You can always negotiate your rent downwards with a landlord, but just you wait and see what happens when you miss your Vat return. Didn’t David Osborne promise a ‘bonfire of paperwork’ in one of his budget speeches? That’s the way to cure SME’s cold feet. Someone else has definitely got cold feet, MP’s. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority created to set MP’s pay and expenses in the aftermath of the expenses scandal proposes to increase MP’s salaries by 11% to £74,000 p.a.in 2015, despite objections by all parliamentary leaders. The best bit is that MP’s have no way of stopping the increase unless they change the law they introduced a couple of years ago. Labour has said ‘any rise in MPs' pay must be considered in the light of...the cost-of-living crisis facing people across the country’ and the Prime Minister has threatened to abolish IPSA if it force-feeds MP’s with another eight thousand per annum. He didn’t mention anything about HS2 though. Great stuff. I wonder how many will vote in the abolition debate. And finally, some not-so-cold cold feet: German Scientists have discovered how Penguins manage to keep their feet (and the baby Penguins which sit upon them) nice and cosy during a blizzard. A similar problem is shared by many Traders on Open Markets. Apparently the Penguins bunch together and shuffle around in a sort of Mexican wave whilst squawking about the weather and how few fish there are to eat, or whatever. This keeps the ones in the middle toasty warm whilst they struggle not to get shuffled out to the edge. With cold Teutonic logic the scientists conclude the ‘regulars’ who are skilled at turning up first always secure the best pitches in the middle whilst the ‘casuals’ who can’t be arsed are left with the worst pitches at the edge. This sounds very familiar so I can’t work out why scientists needed to go to Antarctica to confirm it. So leave your moonboots at home and train a pair of Penguins to sit on your feet. Or if the Toby objects, then seize the business opportunity and start manufacturing Penguinlookalike boots. Keep shuffling. Spring is not that far away. 

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Christmas market was a cracker!

FOLLOWING the fantastic success of Ashton Christmas Market, plans are afoot to hold an even bigger and better event next year.

Thousands of people visited the spectacular two-week event, which was a first for Tameside. Shoppers enjoyed daily live entertainment on the stage and free children’s rides as well as a bar and 30 traditional cabin stalls offering a wide variety of gifts, food and festive fare.
Now Tameside Council is seeking feedback from visitors and traders to help build on this success for next year.
Executive Deputy Leader Cllr John Taylor, who is responsible for markets, said: “We’ve received lots of wonderful feedback from visitors who have enjoyed the market and the lovely, festive atmosphere as well as from businesses who have seen an increase in trade. I would like to thank everyone for showing their support and shopping local.
“We would really like to hear from more people about what they think worked well and any suggestions to help us build on this success for the future.  We want this to be an annual event for Tameside and will be reviewing all the feedback before making plans for next time.”
Ashton Market Hall saw an increase in trade during the Christmas Market, with over 3,000 more visitors through the doors during the first week than the same period last year. Other town centre businesses have also responded positively to the event.
Sharon Radcliffe of Maisies Daisies said: “I think the Christmas markets have been a wonderful idea – really well organised and enjoyed by all. We’ve had many new customers into the indoor market also.”
Janet Louth of Baileys said: “Business has been better this Christmas – the Metrolink has definitely helped but the Christmas Market has had a big part to play.”
Della Yates of B & M Bargains said: “We’ve had a great increase in footfall from 5pm compared to last year. A great event!.”

People can give their views on Ashton Christmas Market via this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ashtonxmasmarket

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NEW MALDEN FARMERS’ MARKET

 

New Malden Farmers’ Market will be having it’s Evening Christmas Market

On Saturday 21^st December 13 from 5.30pm – 9.30pm

The Market is situated at the Fountain Pub car park (by the Fountain round about in New Malden, Surrey)
 

New Malden Farmers’ Market will be holding a charity presentation at 7pm. A cheque for £500 will be presented from the Market to Lin and Iain Bowman of The Fountain Pub, New Malden (on behalf of the NSPCC).

All of our usual fantastic artisan stalls will be present plus extra Christmas guest stalls

for all of those last minute Christmas gifts!

Come and enjoy a glass of hot mulled wine, mince pies, roast chestnuts and delicious hot sausages whilst we entertain you from 6.30pm with ‘Carols around the Tree’ by Christ Church Community Choir.

And for the little ones, Santa will be visiting to take everyone’s Christmas lists accompanied by the infamous ‘Amy’ the sheep!

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Big Wheel arrives at Bolton

A huge travelling fairground wheel will be spinning into Bolton town centre this Christmas. Bolton Council will be bringing a 100 foot Ferris wheel to Victoria Square as part of a bumper festive package to attract thousands of shoppers over the festive period. The giant wheel will be in town from Thursday, December 12th and it is thought that it will be the only one located in Greater Manchester during winter. The ride, which can seat 144 people, will offer a bird’s eye view of the rolling Pennine countryside when people reach the top of the wheel and it will be lit up brightly in the evening. Other highlights of the town centre festive programme include the return of the popular 200 square metre ice rink and a free Santa’s grotto on Victoria Square from November 30th. A speciality market on Newport Street from December 12th to 15th, a chance to meet real reindeer, and street entertainment will also be laid on to pull in the crowds. Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said he is confident that the ride and other attractions will be a hit. “The giant wheel is a fantastic addition to the town centre and something that is sure to appeal to people of all ages. “We know how popular these attractions are from places like Manchester and Liverpool. This particular wheel is one of the biggest of its kind which travels around the country and it has visited locations including Leeds and the Etihad stadium in Manchester. “Together with everything else we’ve got happening, it really will be a winter wonderland experience not to be missed,” he added. Crompton Place Manager, Malcolm Angus, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the council to deliver a healthy dose of festive fun and Christmas cheer for the town. “Crompton Place is at the heart of the community and we are always keen to lend our support to events like this which encourage people to come and make the most of all the great shopping which Bolton has to offer. “While parents are doing their Christmas shopping with us, there will also be the opportunity to bag one of 300 family tickets for a free ride on the giant wheel and skating for an hour on the ice rink when shoppers spend £30 or more in one go at the participating Crompton Place retailers.” From December 12th, the wheel will open: Thursday to Saturday from 11am to 7.30pm; Sundays 11am to 5.30pm; Monday to Wednesday from 11am to 5.30pm. The wheel will be open on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 11am to 4pm. It will be closed on Christmas Day. The ride costs: £3.50 for adults; £2.00 for under- 16s, and £2.50 for senior citizens and students. Family tickets at £7 cover two adults and two children or one adult and three children. Joint tickets for the giant wheel and ice rink can also be purchased. Discounts apply and prices vary. Tickets can be bought online from www.visitbolton.com from Monday, October 28th and in person from box offices on Victoria Square when the attractions open. Bolton Market is also looking for quality festive crafts, gifts and decorations traders for a four day specility market taking place from Thursday, December 12th to Sunday, December 15th. Opening times vary and deadline for traders to apply is October 30th. Contact bolton. markets@bolton.gov.uk for more information.
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Altrincham Christmas Programme showcases Town’s unique offer

With a little over six weeks until Christmas, Altrincham’s Christmas Programme is swinging into action with the launch of the Altrincham Forward Christmas website – www.altyxmas.co.uk

Altrincham at Christmas is even more exciting this year with the launch a fantastic new Great British Christmas Market on Sunday’s and the popular Thursday Twilight markets are back!

Altrincham Town Centre Manager, Paul Armstrong said: “There’s a jam packed programme of events and shopping experiences taking place in Altrincham this year meaning local people don’t have to go far to find those unique gifts or to simply absorb some festive cheer.  With late night shopping on Thursday’s throughout December in the Stamford Quarter until 8pm and the market a hive of festive entertainment and treats from 14^th November, there’s no other place to visit – Altrincham truly has a unique offer.”

Paul paid a visit this week, along with the Mayor of Trafford Cllr Dylan Butt, to the Village Toy Company on Stamford New Road - Altrincham’s magical independent toy shop, which has been trading in Altrincham for nearly a year.  

Owner of the Village Toy Company and Altrincham resident, Lisa McCarthy, said: “This will be our first full Christmas period in business and will be by far the busiest time of year for us. We have worked hard to establish ourselves as a destination toy shop over the past year and, as an independent retailer, give customers something a little bit different. On Saturday 30 November we will be celebrating our first birthday by offering a 10% discount to shoppers.”

The website is a ‘one-stop-shop’ of information and listings showcasing what Altrincham has to offer this Christmas – with new events and offers being added all the time. Visit www.altyxmas.co.uk or follow @altrinchamFWD on Twitter.

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Pudsey goes to Market

Shoppers on Blackburn Market had fun posing for photos with Pudsey Bear in aid of BBC Children in Need.  The famous furry fundraising bear paraded round the stalls collecting loose change, whilst families were offered face painting and teddy bear themed crafts. The event raised £130 towards this year's appeal.

The event was part of an exciting new programme of free activities aimed at families in the lead up to Christmas which will include theatre sideshows, choir performances, a community art wall as well as make and take craft sessions.  The next events will celebrate Lancashire Day with a Lancashire folk group and a community mural in the style of the iconic Lancashire artist, L S Lowry.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, Executive Member for Regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council says she wants the market to become a hub for the community where people enjoy more than just shopping.  

‘We want to create a vibrant space which will attract a younger profile customer who will be enticed by the quality service and interaction with the traders, value for money prices and the great atmosphere.  Our events will be free, create a buzz in the market and give added value to the shopping experience.’

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A cut above the rest, Godiva Barbers

If you have passed the little kiosk in Coventry’s Precinct lately (you know the one, located between Waterstones and Marks and Spencer), you will have noticed it’s taken on a new bright look. That’s because it’s home for a brand new venture by 22-year-old Connor Evans. 
This is Connors second venture in the city, recently turning around the fortunes of the market barbers and handing the now successful traditional barbers on to his younger brother Ciaran .
The brothers come from a family of Coventry hairdressers , their late father Mark Evans was a well-known personality and had several local award winning hair salons along with his wife Moira. Moira ‘s renaissance hair salon in Broadgate continues to be a top Coventry hairdressers and the hub of the family businesses.
Connor looks at it like this. 
“I started off training in salons in Coventry even working alongside my mum in renaissance and then I got the opportunity to take over the Market Barbers on the Market’s start-up scheme,
The Market was a great place to build up my customers and experience running my own place. Then when I got the opportunity to come up in to the city centre,  I thought it would be a good to expand the businesses with something a little different. 

So how is business?
“I have been open now for about 3 weeks  and I can’t believe the reaction ,  Godiva barbers is going really well. We want to develop this in to a long standing barber’s shop . It’s a great location to get your hair cut right in the city centre and we wanted to bring something a little quirky  into Coventry, something a little different and up to date which will attract people to the city centre as well”.

So what has the feedback been like, so far?
“We have had great feedback, people coming up chatting and taking pictures, I have my regular clients from down in the Market and Ciaran down there is building up his new barbers with new customers, We are  opening 7 days a week, so come along and try it out, we cater to all styles of hair, we can even book you in for a traditional cut throat shave”. 

Crowds turn out for the launch of Morpeth’s new Market

Hundreds of people turned out to see the brand new market being launched in Morpeth at the weekend along with the town’s first ever Food and Drink Festival.

Star of the BBC’s Apprentice, Adam Corbally, joined traders and civic dignitaries at the event which was held in Morpeth town centre on Saturday October 5th.

After an official civic launch of the new market cooking demonstrations, competitions and games were held throughout the day with both the Town Hall Food and Drink Festival and the new stalls on the market place pulling in the crowds throughout the day.

Declaring the new market open, the Mayor of Morpeth Cllr Joan Tebbutt read from the original market charter which was granted to Roger de Merley in 1199 for the cost of thirteen pounds, six shillings and eight pence – allowing the town to hold a weekly market and an annual fair.

Cllr Tebbutt added: “There has been a market held on this spot for all those years and it’s fantastic to see the new market here today.

“We’ve had a number of changes over the years in the town, the Sanderson Arcade development, the brand new supermarket on the edge of the town centre – rather than on the edge of the town itself. And now this fantastic new market, which we really hope will bring many more people into the town and help to keep the town centre viable.”

The team at Sanderson Arcade, Morpeth’s award winning shopping centre, are working with Morpeth Town Team, Northumberland County Council and Morpeth Town Council on the new project with the aim of putting the weekly Wednesday Market and monthly Farmers’ Market on the map.

New stalls and branding as well as anchor points and a local marketing campaign have been introduced as part of the unique public-private partnership initiative, Saturday’s Farmer’s Market and Food Festival was the first opportunity to see the new stalls and layout.

Adam, who started his working life as a market trader kicked off the cooking demonstrations after the official opening and hosted the demonstration kitchen on the market place throughout the day as local chefs showcased some of their own favourite dishes.

He said: “”It really is a breath of fresh air to see an initiative like this and to see everyone working together and realising that High Street shopping isn’t just about one thing or the other, it’s about the whole town coming together and the community working together – making it an ideal place to shop. It’s great to be part of a project like this and fantastic to see what has been achieved here in Morpeth.”

Centre Manager at Sanderson Arcade Medi Parry said the feedback from Saturday’s market has been really positive – the new stalls will next be used on the Wednesday weekly market.

She added: “Everyone has really worked together to make this a fantastic celebration of what can be achieved, the town was really buzzing on Saturday.

“We are delighted to be involved with the new market in Morpeth and are confident it will continue to grow and thrive, we are already planning on making the Food and Drink Festival an annual event in the town.”

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Hitchin market team gets a shocking new addition

Hitchin Markets Manager Tony Howes said, “We are delighted that we will be here for another 5 years and we hope to continue to run a thriving market”.

In other news, Market users who end up fighting for life in Hitchin are in for a shock, with staff now having been trained by Maggie Hackney, who has an MBE for services to healthcare, market staff are now ready for action if someone has a heart attack in the market.

Training the team as part of the British Heart Foundation’s Heartstart initiative, Maggie also secured the market its own defibrillator as part of her efforts. Market manager Tony Howes said: “Hopefully we never have to use it, but if we have to it could save somebody’s life.

It’s not easy to learn but then it wasn’t hard either because Maggie is a very good trainer. “We all went round to Maggie’s house for a two-and-a-half hour training session on heart attacks and how to use the defibrillator. “There’s between 30 and 40 things we have to remember to do, like we have to try and wake them up first and make sure they aren’t wet. “Because of where we are and the older people within the market this defibrillator is vital.” He added: “What we are thinking of doing is offering use of it to market traders who want to be trained too. “What Maggie is doing is a wonderful thing and we are so grateful.”

“There’s between 30 and 40 things we have to remember to do, like we have to try and wake them up first and make sure they aren’t wet. Because of where we are and the older people within the market this defibrillator is vital.”

He added: “What we are thinking of doing is offering use of it to market traders who want to be trained too.

“What Maggie is doing is a wonderful thing and we are so grateful".

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John and Sue Shaw they retired after 60 years in the market selling ladies fashion and knitwear.

John Shaw's father had the business when John was introduced on to the market at the tender age of 12 years helping to set up his father's stalls.

They attended markets at South Elmsall, Pontefract, Barnsley as well as here.  Their business in Mexborough market hall commenced in the late 1940's with John starting in 1952 (year I was born cough!).
Shaws also had a shop for many years in nearby Conisbrough near the famous (Ivanhoe) Conisbrough castle until John became ill about 10 years ago and had to close the shop along with his markets other than Mexborough in which his wife Sue continued however John has helped out.

John & Sue have family living in Greece and their retirement will consist of visiting them more often than they could do previously.  

Mexborough Market raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Mexborough Market presented Yorkshire air ambulance with a cheque for £2365

Attending the presention were (from left to right in the photo) Sandra Deans NMTF branch Vice Chairperson and cosmetics stall holder, Wendy Bailey NMTF "Branch" chairperson & clothing alteration stall holder, Ralph Lowery Mexborough Market Supervisor Doncaster markets, Mark Perry South Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Phil Toon Pet foods and First responder who introduced air ambulance fundraising to the market.

Initially the fund raising was started August 2009 with a display stand, background to photographs, with collection bucket and a number of collecting tins on various market stalls. Total raised and donated to date is £5365
Mexborough market has also been nominated for an award from Yorkshire air Ambulance for the length of time we have been promoting this worth while service.

Bow wow! National award for Bury Market trader

It’s anything but a dog’s life for a Bury Market trader who has won a national award in her first year of business.

Diddy Dapper Dogs was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the UK Pet Retailer of the Year category in the first Petquip awards.

Business owner Tracy Robinson began trading as a casual trader on Bury Market in May 2012, taking a three-day stall in October 2012 when her husband Nigel was made redundant. They now have a regular customer base at their Garden Block stall, and have a great relationship with other stall holders and customers.

Tracy said: “The market management have always been supportive and encouraged us each step of our journey, even when it has been through one of the coldest, hardest trading winters! It is less than one year since we opened our first shop premises, so when we put ourselves forward to be considered for this we never imagined that we would win an award.”

The stall sells everything a dog could need, from health products to treats and harnesses to coats. The couple also have a shop in Morecambe.
The first PetQuip Industry Awards were sponsored by Westland, Group 55/Animology, Symply Pet Foods/Canagan, Petface and PATS.

The awards were presented at a gala dinner in Harrogate by PetQuip’s director general Amanda Sizer-Barrett. Compere was Paul Huggins, CEO of JLM Global Foods.

“These first awards have been a great success,” said Pat Flynn, PetQuip’s trade association manager.

“We had a huge amount of high calibre entries and some well deserving winners. We have also had some great feedback with everyone enjoying themselves at the gala dinner and dancing well into the night thanks to a great band, the New Amen Corner.”

Oswestry Indoor Market – Celebrates 50 Years as the Powis Hall

Markets have been a major part of the trading and historical importance of Oswestry and have existed for many centuries. The first known Charter was granted during the reign of Henry II when the Town was known as Whiteminster. In 1262 a Charter was granted by John FitzAlan, Lord of the Manor To our Burgesses of our village of Oswaldestree.

The Powis Hall Indoor Market Hall was originally maintained by the Lord of the Manor, and was the Town Hall or Guildhall until premises adjacent were built in 1782. From this date until 1960 the building was used as a corn exchange, then as a butter and cheese market, and during the Second World War for emergency storage and for auxiliary fire service purposes. On the 11^th September Oswestry Indoor Market celebrated 50 years old at its current location.  The hall was reconstructed in 1963 to its present design and is open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday throughout the year.  Recently the market undertook an ambitious refurbishment and was awarded Best Local Council Market 2013.  The Mayor, The Earl of Powis and the Chairman of Markets all helped celebrate the occasion with both the traders and customers of the market.  This the newly reopened market back in 1963. 

Teresa Jones who has been in our market for 33 years and was recently awarded a long serving award by the Mayor Chris Scolfield and Chairman of Markets Mrs Cynthia Hawksley

Things are looking good at Tameside

Tameside Markets are going from strength to strength. Ashton’s famous indoor and outdoor markets still cater for all shoppers, offering a wide range of foods – including hosting the North West’s biggest Farmers’ Market on the last Sunday of every month. Other popular items include clothing, hardware, groceries and many household items both indoor and out.

Moving with the times this proud Victorian Market Hall has recently established a communal seating area where shoppers can stop, rest, eat, drink and chat and keep in touch via the new wi-fi system that has been installed.

A major new project is also due to take place as £4.5m has been committed by Tameside Council to enhance the outdoor historic market square with work forecast to start on site in 2014.

The new Hyde Market now also proudly boasts 48 brand new, covered outdoor stalls with costs starting at just £12 a stall.

If you are interested in becoming a trader at either Ashton-under-Lyne or Hyde Markets please contact: 
0161 342 3268.

Bolton Market hits the mark for festival chefs

Proud northerner Paul Hollywood, co-presenter of The Great British Bake Off, likened it to the famous Borough Market in London and said he would definitely be back to pay the Ashburner Street site a visit in the future.

He said: “I am very impressed by Bolton Market. It’s important to me to be able to source fresh, local ingredients for my dishes and here I can find excellent quality fish, fruit and vegetables, which is very satisfying. The market rates among the best and its at least as good as, if not better, than the famous Borough market in London.”

Paul was joined at the food and drink festival by fellow presenter Mary Berry, and together they demonstrated their expert baking skills at three sold-out shows in Victoria Square.

Many thousands of people visited the festival over the four days (Aug 23-26) of the bank holiday weekend. They were able to sample culinary delights from more than 80 stalls; watch celebrity and regional chefs in a series of demonstrations; enjoy the activities at the new children’s food and fun emporium and sit back and relax while being entertained by live bands and street performers, and the sunny weather was a bonus.

Four free cookery demonstrations were staged at Bolton Market. Asian chef Aazam Ahmad provided an entertaining display on Friday morning cooking a salmon curry and on Saturday Sean Wilson from Channel 5’s Great Northern Cookbook performed twice and Harry Yeung from 

Manchester’s Yang Sing restaurant provided a Cantonese twist at his lunchtime show. 
Chef Sean Wilson, ex-Corrie star, made Lancashire cheese and onion pie, oven bottom muffins and Eccles Cakes. He said: “The Bolton Food Festival is a great northern festival for great northern people.”

Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines launched the festival on Friday 23 and provided two enthralling cookery demonstrations for free in the Festival Marquee and then in the Market Place Shopping Centre.  

Michael Caines said: “It is a pleasure and privilege to be back at this event for the third time. Over the last few years I have seen the Bolton Food and Drink festival grow and develop from a local to a national event, with new additions each year.

The festival shows that there is a real appetite for local and regional food and it is crucial in bringing the community together and also boosting the local economy. The festival is a credit to Bolton and it is an honour to be asked to launch it again this year.”


In addition to the free cookery demonstrations in Bolton Market, many more regional chefs performed in the Market Place Shopping Centre, including Andrew Nutter, Anjali Pathak, and Chris Yates. 

Local chef Anjali Pathak who was a big hit in the Market Place demonstration kitchen said: “This is my fifth year at the Bolton Food & Drink Festival and I am delighted to be back , as its an opportunity to come back to my home town . The festival is growing year on year and provides a showcase for the market, local producers and local chefs.”

Anjali made caramelised lamb masala with spiced flatbreads  and for dessert she made sticky peaches with vanilla and lime cream. 


Two new features this year proved to be big hits - the children’s food and fun emporium at Crompton Place which provided a packed programme of entertainment, games and hands on food activities to entertain youngsters and live performances by local bands in the Beer Keller and the KRO Bar where Shandy South, the Dolly Birds and Our Fold were just a few of the bands who struck a chord with customers.

Free shows by performers including the Ski Band and the Bourbon Street Roof Raisers also entertained the crowds.

Coach parties came from the North East, Hull, Huddersfield, Wakefield, North Wales, Lancashire and Warrington. Teresa Wade from Hull said: “We came to the festival last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so came back again.  We want to come again next year and will be making it a regular fixture in our calendars.”

Alwyn Johnston, visiting the festival from Macclesfield Cheshire for the first time this year said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the day – the stalls, the demonstrations and tasting all the food.  And when we got to the market we couldn’t believe the quality and range of fruit and veg at such low prices. Everything’s been fabulous and I can’t wait to bring my friends next year”

Visitors even came from as far away as Australia. Tina and Dennis from Victoria in Australia said: “We are doing a three-week tour of the UK. We researched what was on and we saw the Bolton Food and Drink Festival and just had to come. It is excellent, we are enjoying it very much and the free parking is a bonus!”

Organisers have calculated that visitor figures reached nearly 130,000 over the four days, a big increase on last year’s figure of 102,000.  Councillor Cliff Morris, Leader of Bolton Council said: “We are delighted with the visitor figures at this year’s Festival, which show it has been a massive success. 
We have had great feedback from all the chefs who provided cooking demonstrations and the feedback from traders was really positive, with many of them having to call for extra stock as their stalls were so popular!

“Visitors to the Festival came from as far away as Hull, the North East, Essex and even Australia and all seemed to enjoy their visit, which has a really positive impact on the town. The children’s emporium, which was new this year was also really popular, with queues for all the activities. We’d like to thank everyone who took part in the festival, from the chefs to the traders and also all the visitors who came and made it an amazing success.”

To keep up to date with the latest festival news, log on to the website www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com, visit Facebook and search for Bolton Food and Drink Festival or search for #Boltonfoodfest on Twitter.

Adam Corbally Talks Markets with MTN.

I am lucky enough to have just returned from a weeks holiday in an affordable paradise a lot of us Brits have made our annual escape, Egypt.

The day I arrived back in the good old green land I love to call my home, tragically, as we all know too well, there are the troubles in Cairo, although where we stayed far away in Hurgarda it was so peaceful and relaxed you wouldn’t have a clue that you were in the same country, that was until you happened to walk past a shop, or anyone selling anything for that matter, when all of a sudden you were bartering with one of the locals whether you liked it or not and being plain rude was sometimes the only way to say no.

Now don’t get me wrong it was my first time in Egypt and I fell in love with the country immediately, striking me as a place blessed with 365 days a year of sunshine, amazing history and tourist attractions. Even hosting one of the seven wonders of the world along with a coast line that rivals that of the Caribbean and to top it off at a recession friendly price with an all inclusive deal that left me musing over it like a countdown numbers game of how the tour operators even made it pay?

Then it all became clear, on arrival at the Airport the Egyptian humidity hit me almost as hard as the sellers at the Airport, just after we had landed, who on earth tries to sell something to you on arrival when all you want to do is get to your Hotel, throw some shorts on and jump in the pool? The Egyptians, that’s who, as they are desperate for the sale.

The next morning we were met with the same aggressive sales tactics whilst making our way from the restaurant area to the pool, “My friend, come and buy” and “English” was blurted out by a row of shop keepers simultaneously whilst each one tried to usher us into their market arcade style shop. I hate this style of hard sell and the truth was we were actually looking for a lilo, but were put off by this aggressive approach.

The next day we visited the harbour and looked around the shops for that all important souvenirs (and of course the lilo we still hadn’t bought) and were met with the same hard sell time after time with pushy stall holders trying to sell us mainly counterfeit goods at inflated prices. This time, ready and willing to buy, I did just that at about 20% of the price that they first stated and whilst I was at it tried to make them realise that the hard sell isn’t always the best way and sometimes actually alienates people into not wanting to buy off you at that moment or worse still, ever again or even walk past the place. As you can imagine my Egyptian is not great and a lot of what I was trying to say was lost in translation, although what was unmistakable was the raw thirst in their eyes for a sale, which seemed to override anything else, the raw thirst that I had on my first day trading at 19, the one that didn’t see going home empty handed that night as an option.

This thirst for a sale is the type of motivation that is key to maintaining a healthy bottom line and for me is maintained by constantly setting myself new targets. Although of course, like anything, it has to be controlled and used wisely, to be on the buying end of the deal instead of a selling for a change did me the world of good and made me realise that there is a very fine line between being persuasive and being pushy, being a bit of a maverick and being a mither.

Our Markets are a great place to shop, visit and just have a good old walk round, it is our job to make sure that we continue to make everyone’s trip to see us an amazing customer experience. Promoting the atmosphere Great British Markets are famous for and ensuring people visit our markets again and again, week after week, year after year, getting value for money on amazing products with a customer service to match. In doing so, spurring on our next generation of traders for the long term and of course our valued regular customers.

You can catch up with my own brand at www.Adamcorbally.co.uk Twitter @TheAdamCorbally

Penkridge Market seeks New Apprentice…

Are you a young budding entrepreneur - An Alan Sugar in the making? Well Penkridge Market may be the start of a very successful career.

The owners of Penkridge Market have announced today that they are launching a new initiative to help school leavers start their own business. They are offering any young entrepreneur, the opportunity to take a free stall on the Market, for two weeks, to see if their business idea works. If the stall is a success, the candidate will then be entered into a competition to win a long term pitch on the stall at a discounted rate, plus help and advice from the Market Manager and other Market Traders.

The competition is open to anyone aged 16 – 19 years old, who lives in Penkridge or the surrounding area. The winner will receive a 6 month pitch on the Market at a discounted rate, plus advice on marketing, sourcing suppliers and general business support from the Manager and other experienced Market Traders.

Matt Williams, Manager of Penkridge Market said:

“We know how tough it can be to start up a business at any age, but especially when you’re young. We’ve noticed one or two really bright, enthusiastic young people on the Market and we just wanted to give everyone a chance... and who knows where it might lead to, we could have another Alan Sugar in the making!”

Lord Sugar did indeed start his career at the tender age of 16 as a Market Trader and is now reported to be worth an estimated £770 million, making him one of the richest people in the UK! He started by simply selling car aerials and electrical goods out of his van and then moved on to selling homemade shampoo! At the grand age of 21 he started his most well-known and successful business, Amstrad, and the rest, as they say is history!

Matt is kindly offering a 10 foot pitch on the Market on a Saturday and if you don’t have the necessary equipment, he will even provide you with a table.

The Market attracts up to 5,000 people every Market day, from around the Region, including people from as far as Telford, Stoke and Walsall. It is therefore a great place to test out a business idea and to attract new customers.

Penkridge Market is situated in the centre of Penkridge, and is signposted off the A449 (postcode ST19 5AP).

For further information and to book a stall on the Market please call Matt Williams on 01785 714221. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Tameside Markets are going from strength to strength.

Ashton’s famous indoor and outdoor markets still cater for all shoppers, offering a wide range of foods – including hosting the North West’s biggest Farmers’ Market on the last Sunday of every month. Other popular items include clothing, hardware, groceries and many household items both indoor and out.

Moving with the times this proud Victorian Market Hall has recently established a communal seating area where shoppers can stop, rest, eat, drink and chat and keep in touch via the new wi-fi system that has been installed.

A major new project is also due to take place as £4.5m has been committed by Tameside Council to enhance the outdoor historic market square with work forecast to start on site in 2014.

The new Hyde Market now also proudly boasts 48 brand new, covered outdoor stalls with costs starting at just £12 a stall.

If you are interested in becoming a trader at either Ashton-under-Lyne or Hyde Markets please contact: 
0161 342 3268.

MARKETS CELEBRATE ENGLISH APPLES

Portobello Road, famous for its fashion, antiques and atmosphere, is set to celebrate English apples at a special cooking demonstration on Friday 18 October.

Guest chef Oliver Rowe, from BBC’s Urban Chef series, will join forces with food entrepreneur Clippy McKenna to create a selection of mouth-watering dishes using seasonal traditional English apples - including some from the Brogdale Collections in Kent - which will be on sale at nearby stalls.

This is the fifth year that the Portobello and Golborne Road Markets have promoted English apples. It is part of an ongoing campaign to promote the markets’ fruit and vegetable stalls. This includes a Road Food demonstration on the third Friday of each month and Saturday sample tastings at select stalls.

While English apples are flavour of the month during October, November will have a very definite Middle Eastern and North African theme to coincide with the Royal Borough’s Nour festival of the arts and culture.

Cllr Tim Ahern, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “There is a great variety of fruit and vegetables available at Portobello and Golborne Markets and the Road Food demonstrations are an innovative way to promote seasonal food such as English apples. I want to encourage local residents to visit the markets often for food shopping and for inspiration. The value for money, freshness and quality of ingredients on offer is excellent.”

Road Food demonstrations take place on the third Friday of each month at a stall beside the Office shoe shop, 217 Portobello Road. If you have a suggestion for a theme email the Royal Borough’s Markets Office, street.trading@rbkc.gov.uk.

Saturday sample tastings are prepared by volunteer teams from local community organisations and catering colleges. The Markets Office is looking for groups interested in handing out recipe sheets and creating tasty sample dishes from ingredients grown in nearby community kitchen gardens and supplemented by fruit and vegetables bought from the markets and local shops.