Bustler street food market has just got bigger and better
BUSTLER Market – Derby’s popular street food venue – has just got bigger and better, going from monthly opening to weekly and increasing the total capacity to almost 500.
The move has created 10 new parttime jobs and will boost the coffers of traders, which is good news after taking a hit when the market had to temporarily close in March at the time of lockdown resulting in the loss of usual trade and income from private bookings.
The market, at John Street, will now be open Friday to Sunday each week.
Olivia Pritchard, who has recently become the sole director, said: “Our traders were hit really hard. Most were not eligible for the grants and lost out on any big festivals and occasions they were booked for.
“By us extending our offering to weekly, we are hoping this will allow the traders to trade with us more often to help them make up for the losses they faced recently. Traders rely on events like us for their income, so we have an obligation to ensure that we put on a good event to support their small businesses, as well as us also needing to make it work as a small business ourselves.
“We are now going to be open every weekend, including Sundays. We know there is a demand out there for people wanting to go out and mingle, so hopefully by offering it more frequently, it will give people more of an opportunity. When we first opened, we had queues and long wait times which was great because it meant that people wanted Bustler to be back and the support was unbelievable. People have always asked us why we don’t open weekly, so we thought now is a better time than any.
“We have added even more seating increasing the total capacity to almost 500. The thought of running a 500-capacity restaurant is scary, but the new technology we will be using makes it less daunting. It is allowing us to double the amount of staff we employ, which is also great.” Customers can now order via an app to have food and drink delivered to their table.
Olivia, who previously owned and managed Hide, Rask and Bean Caffé, reassured customers who have yet to visit since the new Covid-safe measures were implemented. “Because we are known to be ‘bustling’ and busy, it took a few weeks for people to see how we had adapted to provide a safe environment. We’re the biggest food and drink space in Derbyshire and have lots of outside space, as well as ventilation inside. We are built for the new type of dining,” said Olivia, who bought out previous director Ben Edmonds, of Blok Knives in July.
She added she has exciting plans, on top of a new range of recently launched merchandise, including a move within the next few months.
Bustler Market, which is dog-friendly and family-friendly, will be open Fridays 5pm-10pm, Saturdays 12pm10pm and Sundays 2pm-6pm with street food vendors, a bar and live DJ.
We are now going to be open every weekend, including Sundays. We know there is a demand out there Olivia Pritchard