A new food and drink market is set to take place at Sunderland’s Sheepfolds Stables – with the first event on Sunday February 9, 10am-3pm.
Sheepfolds and the team behind some of the North East’s best-loved markets, We Are Local Heroes, are launching the independent producers’ market, which will take place on the second Sunday of each month.
The free event will be in addition to the city’s popular Sunniside Market, which is also organised by We Are Local Heroes, and takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month.
Visitors to Sheepfolds Stables will be able to purchase from a range of independent traders and producers who will have stalls in the venue’s courtyard and indoor event spaces. On offer will be a variety of artisan food and drink products from sophisticated seafood, patisserie, craft beers and wine to locally produced ceramic pottery and printed textiles.
The idea for a regular Sunday market at the site was borne following December’s bad weather and gale force winds when the Local Heroes market team were faced with the possibility of cancelling the last Sunniside event of the year. Instead, Sheepfolds Stables came to the rescue and offered organisers use of the venue. It proved to be one of the most successful for traders and visitor numbers.
Chris Jewitt, director of We Are Local Heroes, said: “Despite being a last-minute arrangement, the relocation really did show just how well a food and drink market could work in a place like Sheepfolds Stables.
“We choose our locations carefully to create a close, traditional neighbourhood feel at the same time as showcasing local producers and our region’s amazing food culture, so the venue, albeit temporary at the time, was perfect.
“Fast forward a few weeks and due to the huge success of the last event, we’re delighted to announce that this will now become our fourth North East location and a regular feature at Sheepfolds Stables.”
Nigel Wood, general manager of Sheepfolds Stables, added: “The location, feel and ambience of Sheepfolds Stables is the perfect fit for events of this nature, and we’re delighted to collaborate with We Are Local Heroes to bring our very own food market to existing customers as well as new audiences.
“There is a real community feel that exists here and events like this enable people to have a day out at Sheepfolds and enjoy the rest of the venue too – whether it’s a pint of Pit Pony in The Taproom or a bite to eat at one of our many vendors. Everyone is welcome so we expect a lot of people to come along.”
