The eighth produce and crafts market to be held at Pudsey Market place was again very well attended with many people expressing how how happy they are with this monthly event, writes Damon Sugden.
West Leeds Dispatch spoke to some of the stall holders and organisers to discover the secret of its appeal.
Market organiser Tomas Seary said:
“Pudsey is normally very quiet on a Sunday, we wanted to see what kind of demand there was in the community. (If this continues to prove popular), we are looking to expand into weekdays.”
Stall holder Hawa from Fula Flavour is selling her range of African Sauces from a family recipe originating in Guinea, West Africa.
She has come to Pudsey market from Sheffield on a recommendation from another stall holder. Her sauces are homemade and Hawa travels to a lot of different markets to sell them. Her view of Pudsey Market:
“Nice atmosphere and really good so far.”
Stall holder Victoria James from Farsley is a new stall holder with her handmade speciality doughnuts. Her parents run market stalls (Farsley Smokehouse, who were on the next stall). She said:
“It’s in my blood I guess. Good food has been around me all the time. I’m here as a local alternative as there is nothing on our doorstep that sells speciality doughnuts. I’ve seen the idea on Instagram and wanted to offer them to our community especially as they are made locally.
“I love being at the market, the community feel is really friendly and everyone helps each other out.”
Stall holder Jason from One Guys Pizza Pie added:
“Great market, good atmosphere and community spirit brings the people in. We have been here since the start, its well organised and consistently well attended.
“The electric hook ups on the market stalls is a big winner for us as we can cook and serve the food hot on site. Most of our trade, a good 80%, is repeat custom.
“It’s good that the stall fees go back into supporting the market and Christmas lights.”
Customer Jas Singh said:
“The pizzas are a main attraction, I love coming to Pudsey Yorkshire Produce and Crafts Market for the pizzas and chilli jam.”
Stall holder Harriet Docker, from Little Loaves, had travelled from Allerton Bywater and gave this reaction;
“The market has a good buzz and already people know to come out early (to get the best).”
Market organiser Councillor Mark Harrison added:
“We are here as local people running a market for local people and local businesses, its not run as a political event. We are really pleased at how popular it has become and how much the social side has come back: it’s amazing, people who’ve not seen each other for a while are now reconnecting because of the market.”
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