Town is hungry for first Food Market

11:16am Monday 5th May 2008

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FOOD lovers in Thornbury are whetting their appetite for the town's first May Food Market.

Hundreds of people are expected to visit the market, on The Plain and Castle Street, on Saturday (10am-2pm).

Thornbury's Chamber of Commerce is organising the market as a one-off trial after finding there was a demand in the town for the event.

The market will coincide with the opening of the town's much anticipated Arts Festival and the Chamber of Commerce hopes it will give an added boost to attendance.

"Our research has shown a real wish for change," said Chamber of Commerce member Claire Jaggard.

"Many local people would like to use local producers and market stalls.

"We already have a successful Farmers' Market but it takes place on a Thursday and lots of people are therefore unable to attend.

"By trialing it on a Saturday, we feel sure there will be a great response and if so, we would hope to have additional markets in the future."

Among the 30 stall holders at the market will be Altra Pasta, Cotswold Edge Farm, Manor Farm Farmshop and fishmonger Geoff Britton.

There will also be refreshments available at Christ the King Catholic Church Social Club throughout the event.

Mrs Jaggard, who also runs Thornbury's community website www.mythornbury.co.uk, said: "We want to give an opportunity for businesses not based in Thornbury to come in for a day and put their products on sale in the centre of town.

"This is also a chance for people in the town to come down and try out local produce while meeting each other - there is something about food that gets people together."

Members of Thornbury's Litterbuster group have volunteered to help tidy up the market at the close of play.