Rochdale welcomes new vibrant Artisan Market

Date published: 01 April 2019

An artisan market, showcasing some of the best food and drink producers in the North West, brought a new flavour and hundreds of visitors to Rochdale town centre on Saturday (30 March).

The offer, brought by the well-established, Market Company, featured food and drink stalls, including street food, handmade goods and arts and crafts, as well as live music.

Crowds basked in sunshine for most of the day at the market, located next to the indoor market and foodhall.

It will be held on the last Saturday of every month, with the next one set to take place on Saturday, 27 April.

Denise Valente, Director of The Market Company, said: “The launch of Rochdale Artisan Market was a massive success. Thousands of people flocked to check out the new event and feedback was overwhelmingly positive from both the public and the artisan traders, it seems we exceeded everyone’s expectations.

“Local businesses in the Market Hall and environs also did very well because of the increased number of people that came into town: certainly a win-win for everyone.

“We are very much looking forward to growing the event over the coming months and are already excited about Saturday 27 April when we return.”

Rochdale Business Improvement District Manager, Paul Ambrose added: “I’m absolutely delighted with the impact of Saturday’s Artisan Market. The range and quality of the traders was fantastic, and feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I managed to speak with the majority of the traders who reported they had a great day and couldn’t wait to come back next month; many of them also commented that they were impressed with the beautiful setting of the market and that it was obvious that the town is on the up.

“The success of the market also had knock on effects as many of the town centre shops and food and drink venues have reported back to me that they had a very busy Saturday.”

Stephanie Holden, Store Manager at M&S Rochdale, said: “It was lovely to see so many people shopping, browsing and soaking up the atmosphere at the market. Our British lavender colour changing dry gin sold particularly well while the market was taking place – perhaps a combination of foody inspiration and the weather encouraged people to plan BBQs with G&Ts.”

If you're a local trader who would like to get involved, you can:

• Complete a trader application online at http://themarketco.co.uk/trader-application/
• Ring 07789 181677 to speak to Denise Valente from The Market Company.