Check it out
Local superstore or indoor market – we look at the best place to buy your weekly shop
THERE’S no denying it, supermarkets are convenient.
But do they offer the best quality and prices for our day-to day essentials?
Sometimes to find the freshest produce in an area for the best price, the market is the first port of call.
The historic Cardiff Market, with its original Victorian features, has become an iconic part of the city centre.
So, how do the prices in our local market compare to the supermarket?
Cakes and sweets
I have a massive sweet tooth and so made a beeline for the sweet stall. Jo Mahoney was manning the stall, and said she had worked in the market for 12 years.
She said: “I think the markets are really going down hill, with the supermarkets and having everything online, we just don’t get as many people through the door.
“The sweet stall, we are definitely busier on a weekend when we get youngsters in.”
Jaffa Cakes
Market price: £1.20 for 36 Tesco price: £2.50 for 30 Cakes
Market price: £1.20 Tesco price: £1
Welsh Cakes
Market price: £2 for 10 Tesco price: £1.40 for 6
Pic ‘N’ Mix
Market price: £1.20 for 100g Tesco price: 85p for 100g
Fruit and Veg
I thought I’d start with the foundation of any diet – fruit and veg.
There are two fruit and veg stalls in the market. I was disappointed to not hear any chants of “apples and pears”, but nevertheless, both fruit and veg stalls were definitely the busiest in the market.
The produce on both looked really fresh, and there was a huge selection. It was also refreshing to see most of it open, rather than in the plastic containers we’re used to with the supermarkets.
While you can request any quantity, most of the items in the market are measured by lbs. Roughly, one pound converts to 454g.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the items...
Strawberries
Market price: £1 a punnet Tesco price: £2 a punnet Raspberries
Market price: £1.50 a punnet Tesco: £2 a punnet Blueberries
Market price: £1.50 Tesco price: £2
Pink Lady apples Market price: 2 for £1 Tesco price: 62p each Granny Smiths apples
Market Price: 3 for £1
Tesco price: 29p each
Peaches
Market price: 50p a punnet Tesco price: 79p a punnet
Loose peppers
Market price: £1.50 for 1lb Tesco price: £1.20 for three
Salad tomatoes
Market price: £1
Tesco price: £1
Cherry vine tomatoes
Market price: £5.50 for a kg, Tesco price: £6.29 for a kg, or they are sold as 200g for £1.50
Large Iceburg lettuce
Market price: £1
Tesco price: 70p
New potatoes
Market price: £1.50 for 2lb Tesco price: £1 for 750g
Corn on the cob Market price: 2 for £1 Tesco price: 2 for £1.50
Bread, Milk & Eggs
I was surprised to find that only one stall had any milk available, and just one or two with eggs. I was, however, very impressed with the aptly named The Bread Stall. From crusty loafs, to delicious-looking cakes, situated in the middle of the market, this stall is clearly a market staple.
Small bloomer Market price: 85p Tesco price: 79p Large Bloomer Market price: £1.35 Tesco price: £1.10 Rolls
Market price: 40p each Tesco price: 30p Organic eggs
Market price: £1.60 Tesco price: £1.80 Milk (one pint) Market price: 70p Tesco price: 50p Milk (two pints) Market price: £1.20 Tesco: 80p
Meat and Fish
There was just one fish stall in the market, but there were multiple butchers. I found the meat to be slightly more expensive in the market than the supermarket – but that is usually to be expected with such local produce.
Dave Limburn had worked at Ashtons fishmongers for 33 years and says that his customers have diversified much more in recent years.
“We still get our locals, but the type of people who shop with us has definitely diversified.
“It’s still not as busy as it was years ago, and thing going on in the city definitely impact our trade.
“For example, international games, and now Westgate Street being shut half way.”
Salmon fillet
Market price: £4.17
Tesco price: £3.85
Whole sea bream
Market price: £2.95
Tesco price: £3.50
Smoked salmon
Market price: £3.95
Tesco price: £3.00
Chicken breast
Market price: £2.99 for a lb Tesco price: £3.80 for 650g Smoked back bacon
Market price: £6.50 for 2 lb Tesco price: £1.98 for 300g or 1kg for £6.50
Lamb chops
Market price: £5.50
Tesco price: £6.50
As we expected, the fresh fruit and veg at Cardiff Market is cheaper to buy than at the supermarket and there’s also so much choice.
While bread and milk at the market is slightly more expensive, you can make a saving on organic eggs and certain cakes.
It’s a mixed bag when it comes to meat and fish, with whole sea bream, chicken breast and lamb chops all cheaper at the market.
While there’s no doubting that visiting your local supermarket (many of which are now open 24 hours) is a convenient way of shopping, you are pretty spoilt for choice with the range and quality of groceries at Cardiff Market and you can save money on many items too, particularly fresh fruit and veg.
And while it can’t compete on opening hours, the market is open 8.30am-5pm Mondays to Saturdays and there are night markets planned.