It was great to see Stockport Market packed out with stalls for National Market Day today.

The market traders had worked with the Stockport Express to offer anyone who bought the paper a pound off their purchases at the market. All the stalls for the Saturday Market were there, and somehow space was found to pack in Food & Drink, Vintage stalls and the Teenage Market (in a pop-up shop).

Stockport Heritage were out, with tours of the old dungeon for those who wanted.

I spent a very enjoyable morning at the market with Stockport Council Leader Cllr Sue Derbyshire and local MPs Andrew Stunell, Andrew Gwynne and Ann Coffey, plus Allison Gwynne, meeting the excellent Council team who help run the market and many of the traders who work so hard to make it a success.

We all came out laden down with purchases – beer, cheese and sausages in my case.

Markets across the country are facing a tough time and as people’s shopping habits change and the offerings at supermarkets, out-of-town stores and from Internet shopping change, markets have to adapt too. There’s been a lot of progress with Stockport Market, but we know that a lot remains to be done. By working closely with the market traders, both the long-standing stall-holders and those from newer innovations such as the Vintage Village and Teenage Market, I believe we can continue.

Some great market people to follow on Twitter (please let me know of any I’ve missed or got wrong):
Stockport Market
SK1 Food and Craft Fayre
Vintage Village
Teenage Market
Grumbidoll
Wonderland Cakes
The Candy Shack
Cheshire Cheese Co
Craft by Caroline
The Handmade Market
Glamour Puds
High Peak Beer
Bobby’s Bangers
reconsidered Retro

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