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Fresh look for St Nicholas Market in Bristol

Friday 22 January 2010

Source; Evening Post

 

One of Bristol's best-loved markets has a fresh look after a £150,000 clean-up.

 

City council workers have been busy cleaning the stonework of the Exchange Hall at St Nicholas Market, washing the windows and applying a lick of paint where needed.

 

The tidy-up is another boost to the historic city centre market after a national newspaper named it as the best in the UK, describing it as "the living embodiment of what a market should be".

 

Steve Morris, Bristol City Council markets manager, said: "It is fantastic news for the great selection of traders here that St Nicholas Market has received such a glowing recommendation. This clearly demonstrates that Bristol's favourite market is popular on both a national and local level. St Nicholas Market looks stunning – with the front and side elevations restored to their former glory. Anyone visiting the market will be impressed with the building's new, fresh look."

 

The glass-covered food area is the favoured destination for city centre workers at lunchtime, with stalls including Pie Minister, Al Bab Mansour, Caribbean Wrap and the Bristol Sausage Shop. Next door, in the Exchange Hall, specialist toy sellers and art shops rub shoulders with those selling independent clothing.

 

Even overseas visitors are impressed by the market. Anna Marlatt, 22, a tourist from Chicago, told the Evening Post: "It's a pretty awesome market. Much more diverse than in America. It's also great that most of the shops are independent."

 

Traders predict that the renovation and national accolade will be a major boost for the market.

 

Chris Tarry, market trader at About Soup and chairman of the Bristol branch of the National Market Traders Federation, said: "It is great that we have been recognised by the national press; markets are so important to the fabric of any town or city and St Nicholas Market, within its fantastic setting, is a real point of difference for Bristol shoppers."

 

The spruced-up market will continue to hold its regular market days, with the Farmers' Market every Wednesday, the art and crafts based Nails Market every Friday and Saturday and the Slow Food Market on the first Sunday of every month.

 

It will also be hosting events for the annual farmhouse breakfast week on Wednesday, January 27, giving shoppers the opportunity to watch cooking demonstrations to pick up breakfast cooking tips and a chance to sample some free tasters.

 

Refurbishment work is due to finish in March.