Sunderland Echo

Food market a hit as inaugural event attracts more than 2,000

- Sam Johnson samuel.johnson@jpimedia.co.uk @ThatSamJJo­hnson

A new Washington food market has proved a big hit as it saw more than 2,000 people attending its first event in Albany Park.

The event, which took place on Sunday, May 23, featured a range of cuisine from German sausages to vegan tacos as well as music from local buskers.

The event proved a big hit with over people heading to the park site throughout the day to see what was on and offer and support local businesses – as well as raising £400 for the Washington Community Food Project.

Washington Food Market was organised by the newly formed Washington Does Culture, which is a collaborat­ion between An Open House Community Interest Company, and business consultanc­y LexSpark LTD.

The market featured stalls from a variety of local businesses in the area, offering a range of different food to cater to everyone.

Event organiser Richard Murr, said: “We’ve been blown away by the response to our first Washington Food Market. We couldn’t have asked for a better launch, with over 2000 people attending and over £400 raised for the Washington Community Food Project.

“It really does go to show the amazing community of people we have living in Washington. All our traders were amazed at how well the event went, with many of them selling out within the first few hours.”

Plans for the food market are part of a long term idea from Washington Does Culture to bring a number of cultural events to Washington in the future, with the backing of Sunderland City Council and Sharon Hodgson

MP.

Sharon Hodgson MP, said: “I'm delighted that Washington has attracted the interest of event organisers and I’m looking forward to seeing our community coming together in Albany

Park, which is one of the many excellent green spaces we are so lucky to have in Washington.”

The Washington Food Market will be taking place at Albany Park every four weeks, with the next event set for Sunday June 20.

Richard Murr added: “Myself and the team at Washington Does Culture can’t wait for our next event on June 20 and are excited to see how the market will grow over the course of the year.”

 ??  ?? There was a wide selection of stalls offering a variety of goods at the Albany Park event.
There was a wide selection of stalls offering a variety of goods at the Albany Park event.
 ??  ?? The ItaDeli stall at the innaugural Washington Food Market.
The ItaDeli stall at the innaugural Washington Food Market.
 ??  ?? Just one of the stalls that was at Washington Food Market.
Just one of the stalls that was at Washington Food Market.

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