Member Article

Market promotes local benefits

200 years’ combined experience in the retail industry is coming to the fore in a new alliance of shopkeepers in Newcastle’s oldest market.

The Grainger Market and Arcade Traders’ Association has elected a new committee to help raise the profile of the 180-year-old indoor market.

The committee of ten traders will work with Newcastle City Council, local businesses and regeneration agencies to publicise and develop the market.

The Grainger Market is housed in a Grade 1 listed building near Grey’s Monument, and employs almost 400 local people.

Raymond Morris, Chair of the committee, and owner of a family jewellers based in the market for almost seventy years, said: “Research has shown that shoppers have been looking at how and where they spend their money, and increasingly are looking to support local businesses.

“We will be working hard with the all traders in the market, as well as with Newcastle City Council and other agencies to ensure that the market continues to grow and benefit the whole region.”

Simone Clarkin at Mmm…, a member of the new committee, said: “I think it is actually easier to come to a place like this rather than a supermarket. You can avoid all the queues at the checkouts and by the time you park the car and pay for things it’d be quicker at a market, not to mention you get expert advice from people who know their business inside and out.”

The market features the world’s smallest Marks and Spencer store, the ‘Original Penny Bazaar’, as well as other specialist food, gift, florist and clothing shops.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .