17 March 2023
As part of the Cheshire Day celebration on 30 March, Chester Market will be holding a Cheshire Weekend from Friday 31 March to 2 April, where goods and food traders will be highlighting their fantastic local suppliers and producers. In addition, two new traders, RKM Wools and Deva Deli, have recently opened in the market, extending the range of goods and produce available.
RKM Wools offer everything the home knitter could need plus lots of advice and inspiration to help create all types knitting and craft projects. Stocking a huge range of colourful wools including leading brands such as James C Brett, Wendy Wools, King Cole and Woolcraft, plus haberdashery, buttons and not forgetting those all-important knitting needles.
Owner Nigel Morris said: “We are delighted to open our fourth outlet at Chester Market and bring our wide range of wools to such a wonderful market. If we don’t have what you need in stock, we can always order from our warehouse, or you can order via our website www.rkmwools.co.uk.”
Deva Deli has opened adjacent to the main entrance, and is owned by Max Dixon, who comes from a family of market traders that have operated delis and butchers in Liverpool and Birkenhead Markets for over 40 years.
Cheshire produce will make up a large proportion of Deva Deli’s stock, including locally sourced eggs, pies and cooked meats, plus a great range of chutneys, james and cheeses. Max said: “Markets run in my family, so it’s been a great opportunity for me to expand into such a fantastic new market which has got off to a flying start since it opened last year and bring great quality local produce to Chester.”
Deva Deli’s neighbour, zero waste stall Just Footprints, stock ranges of locally roasted coffee beans from The Lost Barn in Tilston, which can be bought by weight with no packaging waste, plus tins of Harry’s Hot Chocolate, a small batch artisan producer from Nantwich.
Even pets can celebrate Cheshire with Digby & Champ offering exclusive dog treats made locally, by Canine Creations alongside their range of harnesses and leads.
Some of the highlights of the Cheshire Weekend will include a Mexican pork soup from Crustum topped with mature Calveley Crunch Cheddar made near Nantwhich; Bean & Cole’s range of cakes produced by Chester’s Kookaburra Bakery delivered daily via bike by Chester’s first cycle delivery service iPedal Cargo.
The Market’s main bar Lockwood & Co. are also highlighting local drinks such as Weetwood Ale’s Cheshire Cat brewed near Kelsall and the award-winning Forest Gin distilled near Macclesfield, recognised as one of the world’s finest gins.
No Cheshire showcase would be complete without Cheshire Cheese, so the Market’s Cheezy Bandits will be preparing a unique weekend special of Truffle Raclette and black pudding croquettes in a rosemary and thyme panko crumb, accompanied with a honey and apple jam. Cheese from the Cheese Shop on Northgate Street, plus black pudding from our very own Geoff Hughes Family Butchers in the Market.
Every day is Cheshire Day at Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, who expanded their business into the new Market from their base near Tattenhall, where the Fell family have famously been manufacturing their ice creams since 1986, producing 10,000 litres per day. A selection of their range of fifty flavours is always available plus milkshakes and deserts.
Many market traders also use locally sourced milk from Peckforton Farm Dairy who are a unique producer, processor and distributor who offer a closed loop between farm, pasteurisation and bottling, all delivered in reusable glass bottles creating a circular system that currently removes the need to use over 1,800 plastic bottles a week.