Edinburgh will have its first ever contactless open-air market, which is set to open this month.
The Neighbourhood Market, located at The Grange Club in Stockbridge, will open next Wednesday 15 July, and invite food operators and restaurants to use a section of land by the cricket ground and give a safe platform for local businesses and traders to sell products.
It will open between 12pm and 7pm from Wednesdays to Sundays and there will be a dedicated access via Portgower Place.
One-way demarcated walkways and designated circular seating zones for small groups to gather and socialise will be in place along with the 100 per cent contactless payment system. Each circle will hold about five or six people and larger social groups would likely need to split up and use neighbouring circles.
The hope is to enable several local businesses to get back up and running post lockdown.
The duo behind The Neighbourhood Market concept, Preston Mommsen and Edward Wilson, have taken inspiration from other open-air markets set up during lockdown easing including Domino Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, which overlooks the East River.
The pair say recreating this in Edinburgh will bring something "fresh" and "uplifting" after a tough few months of lockdown, adding: "We’re delighted that we are now able to provide a vibrant platform for people to socialise safely once again, all while enjoying some of Edinburgh’s finest food and drink offering.”
Several vendors have already been secured for the site which is now fully let - but expansion could be an option depending on its success. Here are the businesses setting up from next Wednesday, 15 July:
Bross Bagels
Mana Poke Bowls
Mimis Bakery
Brew Lab
Innis and Gunn and Edinburgh Gin
Casa Roble
Lucas Ice Cream
The Peruvian
Screaming Peacock
Rost
Mint
Caravan of Courage
Don't Tell Mama
Lost Orchards
Good Brothers Wine Bar and Prosecco Boys.
Tribe Yoga will also be hosting a range of outdoor classes on site as soon as permitted.
Visitors to the market have also been urged to bring their own facemasks and asked that, if they are not feeling well, to stay home and self isolate.
Operators have also secured partnership agreements with Izettle and Deliveroo to provide contactless payment and pre-order systems for the market.
Gordon Tolland, Grange Club secretary, said: “It has been a very difficult few months for most people and so The Grange is absolutely delighted to support this excellent venture.
"As well as providing some much-needed cheer, it will also be a welcome boost for the local economy. Hopefully the weather will be kind so that both residents and visitors can experience Stockbridge at its very best.”
Preston Mommsen is a South-African born former Scotland cricket team captain, while Edward Wilson is one of the directors at Tribe Yoga.
The Neighbourgood Market will run weekly, Wednesday to Sunday with a start date of Wednesday 15th of July. The trading hours will be 12:00pm until 19:00pm. For further details visit their website.
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