The Makers Market returns to Cheadle
- The Makers Market returned to Cheadle last weekend
- Outdoor markets were allowed to reopen from 1 June
- Strict measures were put in place to comply with national guidelines
- The Makers Market will now run on the first Saturday of every month as previously scheduled
The Makers Market staged its comeback to Cheadle Village last weekend (6 June), after beng forced to postpone upcoming events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite poor weather, there was a large turnout to experience the long-awaited return of the quirky traders and vendors.
Victoria Crane, the owner of the Makers Market, said: “Obviously the weather wasn’t great, but people still came out and supported us.
“We were happy with the numbers, it was well spaced out. We were really impressed with the public.”
Consisting of a number of stalls set up on Cheadle Green in the village, the Makers Market describes itself as ‘an event bringing together the finest and often award-winning food, drink, art and craft producers in the area’.
Amongst these stalls are a selection of sweet treats, hot food vendors, jewellery sellers, artists, cheesemakers, candles, and even a selection of fiery chilli condiments.
Hats off to the local community for actually following all our rules, they were absolutely brilliant
Due to social distancing, there were fewer stalls than usual.
Victoria Crane said: “Normally it’s a rather large market, so we were just about 50% of the [usual] size, as in stall-holders, and we spread the market out.”
Who’s hungry? Come get a burger from #cheadle #makersmarket today! No seating just eating, we are taking extra precautions so only a takeaway service today until 4pm #streetfood .
— Makers Market (@_makersmarket) June 6, 2020
.#burgers #tasty #delicious #foodie #takeawayfood #cheadle #manchester pic.twitter.com/F2QKtOvQ5l
Stall holders adjust to COVID-19 guidelines
Outdoor markets were allowed to open from 1st June as soon as they were able to meet the COVID-19 secure guidelines.
Cheadle’s Makers Market installed numerous hand sanitising stations, plastic screens and a one way system to prevent any further spread of the virus.
Victoria said: “Obviously, we’ve been working with the National Market Traders Federation on our guidelines.
“We worked with our stall holders to make sure that they all completed their COVID-19 risk assessment and the stall holders were really prepared for it. We were really impressed.
“We’re all in unknown territory, [we’re] honestly so proud of them.”
Victoria also praised those who attended for sticking to social distancing measures within the market.
“Hats off to the local community for actually following all our rules, they were absolutely brilliant.
“Obviously the first one back, you hope everyone follows the rules. [There was] lots of signage, and you hope it goes well and it was absolutely brilliant.”
The Makers Market is an event which travels around 18 different locations in the North West, bringing unique small businesses and homemade local produce to different locations on set days of the month.
Before the pandemic, the market had been taking place in Cheadle on every first Saturday of the month. But the government’s urgent ‘stay at home’ message and the closing of non-essential shops meant future events had to be put on hold to comply with guidelines.
Due to the opening of an online shop, customers missing the market could still access their favourite artisan food and crafts via the website.
Our 1st Cheadle Makers Market since lockdown. Full of safety measures and completely spaced out to keep everyone safe.
— Makers Market (@_makersmarket) June 6, 2020
Please follow our recommendations and signage around the site, use hand sanitiser from our hand washing station, we’re thrilled to be back
10-4pm today. pic.twitter.com/vOuJ9ZwVE1
However, with the easing of lockdown, the Makers Market is now back in business in Cheadle with social distancing measures in place.
Cheadle’s tempting treats
One of the stalls set up on Cheadle Green was Tilly’s Fudge. Tilly’s Fudge is a ‘family run, cottage industries business based in the North West of England’.
The small confectionery business was started in 2017 and boasts a wide range of flavours of the popular chewy sweet.
From Lotus Biscoff, peanut butter, honeycomb, rum and raisin to plain vanilla, Tilly’s Fudge has a choice for everyone.
As well as being popular amongst artisan markets and food festivals, Tilly’s Fudge also deliver, and take requests for special occasions and events on their online store.
Another noteworthy addition to the lineup is Daddy Cool’s chilli sauce.
Despite the title, Daddy Cool’s chilli sauces range includes flavoured pickles, relishes, chilli chocolate, chutney and of course, sauces.
Daddy Cool’s chilli sauce is another small family run business based in Derbyshire.
As a lover of spicy food, the founder of Daddy Cool’s started by experimenting with recipes at home and has since been ‘growing and expanding little by little every year and grow a huge variety of fresh chillies‘ after deciding to start the business.
For anyone that can’t attend the markets, Daddy Cool’s chilli sauce is also available online.
As to whether all other Makers Markets are set to restart, Victoria said: “The majority of the markets are restarting. There are one or two that we’ve decided to not restart yet, just because they’re a bit strangely laid out and we want to make sure we do it correctly.
“Stockport has been moved to the 20th (instead of 13th) of June to coincide with the opening of the indoor market.”
You can follow the Makers Market on twitter here for more updates.