Manchester Confidential recommends Castlefield Artisan Market

Castlefield Artisan Market has received a glowing report from Lynda Moyo, a writer for lifestyle website Manchester Confidential and editor of its sister site, Body Confidential.

Castlefield Artisan Market takes place on Duke Street between 10am and 4pm on the first Sunday of every month – and one of its biggest fans is Lynda Moyo, a writer with online magazine Manchester Confidential and editor of another Confidential Publishing title, Body Confidential. 

Many visitors to top Manchester restaurants are also enthusiastic about high-quality home-cooked fare, meaning that the market's focus on food and drink has been popularly received. Aside from imported goods which are not available in the UK, the criteria for the market's stalls is that all produce should be made by the retailers.

Moyo interviewed Jodie and Asif Farakhan, the organisers of the market, about their research into similar enterprises and how they brought their ideas to life.

Jodie explained: "It's not just about shopping. It's about the whole experience of meeting with the people who create the produce and are passionate about what they are doing."

The market's many stalls include sausage specialist The Cumbrian Pig; cake and tart seller The Ginger Kid; Fiona Sciolti, who sells ice cream in both traditional and experimental flavours; Heath Lane Farm Shop, which offers an array of homegrown vegetables; and Levanter Fine Foods, a purveyor of cheeses, olive oils and Spanish meats.

Jewellery, vintage kitchen items and clothes are also sold, for those who want something to keep rather than eat. 

"Just like the stalls themselves, customers are a real mixed bag," said Moyo. "Some are regulars, stocking up on the aforementioned sausages or treating themselves to a sticky toffee pudding. Others have perhaps walked off the beaten track and wound up admiring the Roman Fort, only to find this hidden community under the bridge."

Social media and traditional word of mouth have played a big part in the market's success so far, with significant support coming from local residents living in nearby Manchester property.

Visitors to Manchester bars such as Dukes 92 and Knott Bar have stumbled across the market and many people have been happy to take advantage of free parking available on Castle Street.

Website: http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/.

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