Guest blog post by Rebecca Roberts of The Source
This hasn’t been the easiest of weeks for Leeds Kirkgate Market, first the council published their draft strategy for the future of the market, then followed a barrage of press coverage, ranging from simple stating of facts, through to sensationalism that would not have been out of place in a trashy newspaper, then followed a petition, urging tweeters to ‘Save Leeds Kirkgate Market’ from quite what is unclear … nothing has yet been agreed.
What matters, more than any amount of hot air and bluster is that here are REAL people, with livelihoods to maintain, with businesses built over generations, where entire extended families make a living, where friends meet each day and share their lives in this close knit community … they are the people who matter.
The Source opened in May, with a ‘remit’ to promote the food in the market, all of it, from broken biscuits to live lobster … to bring some theatre to one of the busiest entrances, to cook up some sausages and let shoppers taste before they buy and, yes, to bring new food in too … take Dean, just finished college, wondering about starting a new food business, with very little in the way of savings; The Source has offered Dean an opportunity to test his skills in a risk free manner, rather than having to commit to a lease before he is ready.
Then there’s Mario, Gusto Italiano, progressing from farmers markets to the indoor market and, maybe, eventually, a permanent space in the market … Italian specialities from his native Sardinia, Mario has a wife and two young children, he needs to get a foot on the ladder … these are not people one step away from Harrods Food Hall, their cooking has more authenticity than the finest of ‘finest’ ranges, their ingredients are sourced from Bennett’s, or Malcolm Michaels, or Olivers, or Neils … their ingredients travel a few feet from producer to pan to ‘plate’ how can that possibly be anything other than brilliant … And there are more Deans and Marios, there’s the Yummy Yank with her baking, Sunshine Bakery needing a presence ‘in town’, Chilli Devil testing new products …
So to the point … anyone can sign a petition, two clicks and it’s done … we’re making a request for action … if you REALLY care then consider changing, just a small percentage of your shopping habits, if everyone who signed the petition, or retweeted a link to a news story spent a fraction of their weekly shopping budget in the market then that would really be something … here’s a few tips to make it easy …
Early mornings are the best time to shop in the market
Most of the food outlets are open for business by 8.30am, at this time the Eastgate Car Park has plenty of space and the traffic hasn’t started to clog up, the halls are relatively quiet and the stall holders will be so pleased to see you.
Shop and Drop
The Market have just launched this great initiative, it’s a cold store to keep your shopping fresh, so there’s no reason to fill up the office fridge with your lunch time purchases or leave purchases overheating in your car whilst at work, simply shop, and drop, then collect on your way home in the evening.
Judging by the twitter passion a serious number of people care about the future of Leeds Kirkgate Market, do they care enough to take action …. take a little time to tell us about your shopping experience, share bargain tips, mention friendly stall holders, even have a moan if something wasn’t right, we won’t hold back the bad stuff anymore that we’ll shout about the good … start your response with …
Today I shopped at Leeds Kirkgate Market …..
What converted me to shopping at Kirkgate Market? I recently discovered that the vegetables come in paper bags rather than the un-recyclable cellophane covering everything from supermarkets. Oh, and the steaks! I had forgotten that steak could taste like that! It took me a while wandering around to find just what I needed, and a bit of courage to ask for cuts of meat (accustomed as I am to picking up pre-labelled, pre-cut pieces in supermarkets), but the place is well worth exploring and the stall/shop owners are very helpful. I fully support what Rebecca said above: do try it!
Having spent some time exploring the market of late I can wholeheartedly recommend shopping there. Give it some support!
The following are a few stalls worth checking out:
The South African butcher – on Butchers Row. Excellent boerewors and good quality beef at very reasonable prices.
Any of the fishmongers for unusual seafood – where else in Leeds are you going to get razor clams?
Any of the Greengrocers for soft fruits – berries of any type usually cost a fortune in the supermarket, much cheaper on the market.
Paninoteca deli – stocks Yorkshire Chorizo, well worth trying.
Anything at all from the Sunshine Bakery when they’re on at The Source. It’s all delicious.
“REAL people”! As opposed to?
Collectives of nameless campaigners, multiple retailers where those who most benefit often don’t even reside in the UK and certainly won’t be found weighing out cherries on a sunny Friday afternoon … when did a supermarket ever throw in a free peach with your kilo of tomatoes, just because they liked your smile!
Yesterday I shopped at Leeds Kirkgate market and got a butternut squash and a huge chunk of mozzarella cheese and some free range eggs 🙂
I picked up 10 little sweet Donut Peaches ( http://yfrog.com/hs11655944j ) for a pound on Friday and ordered another 30 for Saturday from Neils (top row Kirkgate Market). I poached them in a sugar syrup with vanilla and basil and made smoothies and cupcakes with some of them then served the rest with Amaretti flavoured Mascapone and some of the syrup. They were simply delicious, a total bargain and our customers loved them. We had a few of them scattered around the shop as they looked quite quirky and cute then later on a customer came in and told us they were for sale in M and S for 60p each! 60p for 1 vrs 10 for £1 = no brainer. The best value fruit and veg in Leeds is in Kirkgate Market that’s why we shop there.
Any tips as to what to do with rock hard plums? (no sniggering at the back!)