‘A MARKET’S THE HE RT OF OUR COMMUNITY...’
As part of the Small Business Saturday campaign, we’re highlighting the importance of our local high streets and the independent traders who work there. Sentinel reporter KIT ROBERTS, right, visited Stoke Indoor Market on a mission to see what he could buy for £10...
STOKE indoor market has been a feature of the town centre for generations.
Established in its current building 35 years ago, it boasts a variety of food stalls, as well as cafés, and even a hairdresser. We went there to see how much food we could get for £10 or less.
Our haul was excellent, with veg so reasonably priced we even had some change left over for a treat.
K & L Fresh Fruit and Veg was our first port of call, picking up three onions, five potatoes, five carrots, and four tomatoes on the vine – all for just
£2.50.
Stall-holder Haydon
Sumnell, right, told us why he thinks the market is important. “It’s a place for gathering, meeting up, just socialising,” he said.
“People have always treated the market as a place where you can get things a bit cheaper than anywhere else.
“You’ve got Aldi and Lidl, but still for cheapness and quality a market has got it over them. I’ve been here for six years but
I’ve done it for 25 years. It’s brilliant. “It’s a lively little market, I think here, Longton, and Hanley are holding their own at the moment.”
After picking up some very reasonable bacon and cooked ham, we went over to Alan’s, where we found a fresh cherry pie for just £3.50. Emily Robertson, aged 23, has worked at the market for eight years, and run the stall for four.
She said: “A market has always been the heart of a community,” she said, “It’s always been the go-to place.”
“You get to know your customers on a oneto-one basis, it’s a very personal thing. It’s a bit of everything. It’s the kind of place where you can come and meet up with people, and get all the shopping that you need. “Instead of having three trips a week you can come out, meet your friends, have a cup of tea and a laugh.”
For customers as well, Stoke Market has provided more than just a place to buy food.
Chris Obrey started coming to the market with her mum and grandma. She said: “Stoke has always been the place. We enjoy the food, I think it’s nice to support the local traders. I think they’re struggling, like everybody else.”
Joan Simpson, who was sat with Chris having a hot drink and a chat, added: “I’ve always come into Stoke Market with my mum.
“I live in Hanley, but I still come down three times a week to support this market.”
Our total came to under £10, with plenty of vegetables, raw and cooked meat, and a fruit pie for a treat.
And it was clear from our visit that the community spirit around the market is still very much alive.