Continental Market in Ponteland

Delicious foods and crafts from around Europe will be on offer at a continental market being held in Ponteland later this month.

Traders will be setting up their stalls in Merton Way shopping precinct on 13, 14 and 15 September.

The products normally traded include French breads and patisserie, Italian coffees and cakes, Dutch pancakes, Spanish paella, German confectionary, Portugese cheeses, hams and pastries and Greek dried fruit and nuts.

Typical dried goods and crafts available could include jewellery from France, Holland and the Baltic countries, French soaps, handbags and fragrances, Danish pictures and Finnish craft ware and jumpers.

Northumberland County Council, through its Markets Strategy, encourages street markets which contribute an affordable and healthy alternative to main stream shopping options. It also acknowledges the contribution that all markets, including those managed by independent operators, make to the local economy.

Ponteland also has a regular Friday market in Merton Way shopping precinct. This market is run in partnership with Ponteland Town Council, market traders and local businesses.
Source: Northumberland County Council

In the market for change

THE good times are back at Ponteland Market — and it will soon take place every week to meet soaring demand.

Six months ago, the market was facing an uncertain future, with the number of stalls dropping at one point as low as three.

The sorry situation called for drastic action and Markets Officer Keith Gray, who took over responsibility for the event, did not shy away.

The farmers' market was dropped in favour of a retail market, the day of the monthly event was changed from a Saturday to a Friday and it was moved from Ponteland Memorial Hall to the Merton Way shopping precinct.

Trade quickly began to pick up and now the market regularly boasts 16 stalls, with customers returning in their droves to take advantage of its offers.

In fact, the response has been so positive that from the end of March, the market will be held weekly.

Mr Gray said: "It is going absolutely brilliantly.

"Obviously through November and December it was terrible because of the weather, but it was the same everywhere, and having said that, the market has picked up.

"There are now 16 stalls compared with July when there were only three, and from March 25 it will be on every week because the traders and the public have asked for it. We are reacting to customer demand and trader demand. It is a big success story."

Most of the resident businesses in Merton Way are delighted with the increased footfall the market has brought and one has even started acting as an informal information point for customers.

"I do think moving the market's location has helped because it is now where people will use it," said Mr Gray.

"There has been a fair bit of feedback from businesses in Merton Way and one of the cafes down there is acting like a central point for it, with people phoning up to ask when the market is on. Of course, that won't need to happen from March 25 because it will be on every Friday.

"Changing the day has been highly successful because Friday is the busiest day for shopping.

"It suits the public because they do their local shopping on a Friday and then go somewhere else and do other things on a Saturday."

The market is run by Northumberland County Council. Stalls include plants, clothes, cards, pies, cakes, jewellery, scarves, chocolate and meat. There is also a pet stall and wood carvings.

The next market will be held tomorrow, followed by markets on February 25 and March 25 before the move to a weekly event.

For more information, or to apply for a stall, contact Mr Gray on 01434 652419.

Source: Morpeth Herald

New home for expanded market proves hit with shoppers

THE newly expanded and relocated Ponteland market proved a hit with shoppers on its first day of trading.

The traditional farmers' market, which has been held in the Memorial Hall for the past 10 years, has been turned into a general outdoor retail market and moved to Merton Way. It has also moved days from a Saturday morning to full day Friday.

The first market on August 27 saw 11 stalls trading goods ranging from clothes to jewellery, cakes, fish and farm produce.

Ponteland Mayor Robin Ramsay visited the market and said it had got off to a very promising start: "It has really made the place come alive and the response from traders has been magnificent. "I understand more have already expressed an interest in coming next month. It is early days but it looks like this is proving a much more popular timing and venue for the market, and expanding the variety of stalls has obviously helped." The revamped market will be held on the fourth Friday of each month, from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Ian Lindley, county council executive member for neighbourhood services, said: "I was very pleased that the new format for this market worked so well, and that it was positively received by the local community."

The next market is being held on Friday October 22.

For more information contact Markets Manager Keith Gray at

keith.gray@northumberland.gov.uk or call 01434 652419.

Source: Pont News & Views Page 9

Macmillan Cancer Support in Ponteland

Macmillan Cancer Support will be at the next Ponteland Market in Ponteland on Friday 27^th September to raise funds for Macmillan (and have coffee, chat and fun). August.  If you would like any information on the services offered or would like to support the cause please come along and see us – we would love to see you.  Don't forget to register for the Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning on 24

Ponteland Market - Merton Way Shopping Centre

Public Information

A new market will be held in the above location on the following dates.

Friday	27th August 2010
Friday	24th September 2010
Friday	22nd October 2010
Friday	26th November 2010
Friday	17th December 2010

The Market will run between 9am and 4.30pm

There will be a good selection of Stalls providing

Organic meat

Pies & Quiches

Clothing

Fish & Game

Plants & Flowers

Eggs

Cheeses & Wines

Cup Cakes

Chocolates

Anyone wishing to trade from the market please contact:-

Keith Gray

0796 6568612

01434 652419

The market will run every 4^th Friday of the month