19 July 2016, Tuesday
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
The English Market in Cork is owned by Cork City Council
Cork’s English Market today officially launched The Start-Up Stall, a rare chance for small food businesses to test the market…literally!
The renowned English Market is giving local food-based business start-ups the opportunity to trade in Ireland’s oldest and best food market. A brand new stall, The Start-Up Stall, situated close to the Grande Parade entrance of the market was recently designed and fitted out to the highest standard and will be available for short-term lets, up to six weeks.
The Start-Up Stall was officially opened today by one of the most famous faces in The English Market, Pat O’Connell, who cut the ribbon as the first traders Oh! Naturelle took up their temporary residency and began trading.
The project is an initiative by The English Market and Cork City Council aimed at start-up businesses retailing products or produce that will compliment, rather than duplicate, that of The English Market’s current offering.
Pictured L-R are Aisling Murphy, Oh! Naturelle, Alison O’Rourke, Cork City Council, Órla Lannin, Manager of English Market and Louise Ryan, Oh! Naturelle.
Pic: Darragh Kane
Speaking at the launch, Pat O’Connell, chairman of the English Market Traders Association stated “Although the English Market takes great pride in its traditional food offering, historically, its very survival depended on the introduction of new and innovative food products. The Start-Up Stall aims to contribute to the markets continuing success by introducing a new generation of food businesses to its clientele, both local and international. It’s a great initiative and has the full support of traders. I have no doubt it will be a huge success”.
Oh! Naturelle are the first traders to launch their offering in The Start-Up Stall. The new food producer based locally, will be selling hand-made fruit sorbets that are free from diary, soya and gluten, suitable for vegetarians and naturally low in fat yet packed full of flavour. Oh! Naturelle is the perfect one to launch The Start-Up Stall as it is an exciting new product and a fun and colourful new offering for The English Market.
Joint owner of Oh! Naturelle, Louise Ryan said “We are extremely grateful of the opportunity to sell our product at The English Market, which is not only an iconic and special place, but is a place that is central to Corks thriving food culture. We shop in the English Market weekly so to be part of the markets unique atmosphere and have the opportunity to share our product with its shoppers is just fantastic. Cork City Council and The English Market have offered us extensive guidance and support in getting the stall ready.”
The concept of The Start-Up Stall has been developed by Cork City Council and Órla Lannin, Market Manager, Aramark Property, with the support of the traders and is a new departure for the market as tenants usually occupy units by long term lease.
Speaking about where the idea came from Alison O’Rourke from Cork City Council explains “This is an entirely new concept to allow fledgling start-ups the opportunity to trade in the market for a period of time without having to have significant capital costs. The English Market is renowned for always developing its food offerings, and encouraging local food entrepreneurs. The Start-Up Stall lettings will be for 4 to 6 weeks, allowing 8 to 10 new producers the opportunity to trade each year in the market. Potential traders, whose produce reflects the ethos of the English Market are now being invited to apply now.”
There is already significant interest from local food producers with many new tenants already confirmed including the Smokehouse Sauce stall which will take over from Oh! Naturelle in 6 weeks’ time. The Smokehouse Stall, owned by Conrad Howard will showcase the sauce each day in a different way using produce from other traders.
See www.englishmarket.ie to apply for The Start-Up Stall or for further information.
