We came across St. Mary’s Market in Edinburgh, (directly outside St. Mary’s Cathedral next to John Lewis and across from the Omni Centre) a couple of months ago although it’s been running weekly since the Spring. It’s a community market place, a traditional market with a community focus.
The market, run by Edinburgh Markets which have been operating since August 2011, sells a range of food, gifts, clothes, arts and crafts and other items but it also organises events and works to develop social projects to help build community.
St. Mary’s Market’s usual hours throughout the year are Saturdays between 11am and 5pm. For the Christmas period the market is open on both Saturdays and Sundays, from now until Sunday 23rd December and there will be more stalls and weekly events and entertainment for visitors and customers. Christmas entertainment to come over the next few weeks includes music, storytelling and poetry. Check the Events list for details. (The market will take a break for a rest on the 29th December and 5th January 2013).
St. Mary’s Market is a welcome addition to this particular spot and great for its surrounding local community. Everyone involved is working very hard to support and maintain it. We’ve started shopping there regularly and support it when we can by tweeting about it. Chatting to some of the friendly traders, some have remarked on how Twitter is helping spread the word about their businesses, what they’re selling, letting them know if people have liked something they’ve bought or eaten, giving them valuable feedback and exposure in this way.
What can you buy at St. Mary’s Market? Regular stalls include delicious bread and bread products from Breadshare Bakery, great cakes from The Friand Cake Company, a good range of fruit and vegetables from the friendly RBG Fruits, fresh meat and eggs from Campbell & Sons Butchers and sweet treat delights from The Happy Fudge Co. There is some very tasty hot food too: a range of bratwurst from the guys at On the Roll and various delights including pulled pork and slaw, and duck ragout from Jones & Son.
For December there will also be paella on offer from Casa del Roble, jams and preserves from Jay Koh Jams and a mulled wine stall from Outdoor Bar Services. There’s also the permanent coffee box which is always a welcome find.
For gifts and other items, there is clothing and jewellery and arts and crafts including candles; as well as quirky pet products and other goods. Regular traders include Turiyah , Art Unite, Gecko Gallery & Gifts, Planet Soap and Nicky’s Wicks’n’Wax. For December there will be more gifts including furniture and baby gifts, books from Black & Blue and charities will also be present – the RSPB and Marine Conservation Society.
Edinburgh Markets run markets in other sites too – in August they run a food and craft market in the Grassmarket and they are currently working on the development of a market on Dalkeith Road near Pollock Halls and the Commonwealth Pool. Find more details on their website.
With many more of us keen to shop local, the city of Edinburgh’s markets are providing a welcome addition and alternative to mainstream shopping, however, ultimately, all need strong support from their local community in order to survive and thrive.
Why not visit St. Mary’s Market and tell your friends, family or visitors about it. If you want to help spread the word, you can do so on Twitter or Facebook or visit www.edinburghmarkets.co.uk
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