‘Exciting’ month-long food market launches

Hundreds of people tucked into burgers, pizzas and crepes as they descended on the centre of Canterbury for the launch of a weekly street food market. The first City Feast kicked off in Guildhall Street last Friday, with the thoroughfare lined with vendors selling a range Italian, Moroccan, Philippine and Japanese cuisine. Although the coronavirus pandemic has seen a huge number of events cancelled, bosses say the hotly-anticipated venture had a successful opening. Speaking on the event’s first day, Silver Birch Fine Foods stall owner Anthony Birch said: “It’s been very busy and it’s been picking up.

“There’s been a few hundred people walking through here already.

“It’s important for Canterbury to have an event like this because it’s important we reintroduce food into the community after a lot of the closures of businesses in the area.” Organisers installed stringent social distancing measures – including a one-way system, sanitising stations, and a limited capacity of 10 stalls – as part of safeguarding measures against Covid-19.

Chestfield councillor Ben Fitter-harding was one of dozens of foodies at the first market. The senior Tory said: “This is one of the best ways that Canterbury’s hospitality industry can make the most of summer in this difficult situation.

“It gets trade going again; the city desperately needs it. It’s exciting.

“While coronavirus is circulating, I think this is how people will adapt to enjoy themselves and have some normality.” The month-long market will take place every weekend, weather permitting, until Sunday, September 6.

Picture: City Feast Punters tucked into a range of Moroccan, Italian, Philippine and Japanese dishes during the event

Picture: City Feast A foodie enjoying a freshly poured pint at the market last weekend

Picture: City Feast Hundreds of people visited the market over its opening weekend

Visited the event Chestfield councillor Ben Fitter-harding