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MarketTimesOctober2016

the antiques side which I grew up with, and the strength of its ‘farm to fork’ credentials.” It also helped that the council, which owns the site, was supportive and granted the new operator a 20-year lease. The council is contributing £2 million towards a £5.5 million development currently under way to create new cattle facilities, the remainder coming from a Government grant. With Hugh at the helm, the new company is looking to invest in the retail markets too, and the market traders like what they are hearing. Hugh said: “We do have plans to grow and improve the markets which complement the livestock operation and the town centre market. Jackie Jackson was trying her luck at Melton Mowbray's antiques and collectibles market 22 It’s a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.” That means investing in the site and in new technology. He has taken on Lin Machin to oversee the retail market side because of her experience in launching and staging events including a successful annual food festival. The team has also staged the town’s first ever “pie fest”, and more events are being planned around the livestock and produce themes. So what do the traders think? On the whole they are very supportive. The farmers’ market comprises mainly fine, local produce. Hugh says he would like to include more local crafts and establish a seamless flow between produce, which is in one shed, and the antiques and collectibles, in the adjacent shed. Chris Thomas, a fruit and veg man for 30 years who hails from Nottingham and began trading in Melton Mowbray four years ago, said: “I like what Hugh is saying about the development of the market. It is all very positive.” Rob Hill, sales manager for award-winning artisan bakers Hambleton Bakery, who has been selling on the market for about a year, is also optimistic about the future. And butcher Robert Bowring, who has seen his unit on the market grow strongly since his Robert Bowring runs the butchers business on the farmers’ market. He fulfils the farm to fork criteria, buying cattle at the livestock market to fatten up before their meat is returned to sell on the market Rob Hill is the sales manager for Hambleton Bakeries, an award-winning baker of traditional bread


MarketTimesOctober2016
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