Street market to ‘breathe new life’ into County Durham town

A new-look market is set to be launched in a County Durham town next month following two new operators coming onboard.

Durham County Council has awarded contracts to firms The Craft Fair Company and Events2gogo to to run Friday and Saturday markets in Chester-le-Street.

Running from 9am to 4pm each week from early August, the market will see local traders offering a variety of goods including local produce, handcrafts, cakes and bakes, street foods and collectables.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, commented: “We are delighted to have found new operators for Chester-le-Street market.

“Markets can be incredibly important to a town’s economy but also often play a key part in community life so it’s great news that traders are set to return to Chester-le-Street, not just once a week but every Friday and Saturday.

“Both Events2gogo and the Craft Fair Company have a proven track record for running popular, busy markets elsewhere in the region so I am sure we can look forward to a vibrant, successful future for Chester-le-Street.”

Teresa Symington, of the Craft Fair Company, added: “We are very excited to have been given the opportunity to organise and bring Chester-Le-Street market back to life.

“We will be working towards bringing in new traders and also looking after the traders who have been involved in the traditional market for years.”