Devon

International Street Market comes to Tiverton

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• published: 02 Apr 2016
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FROM the plains of Spain to the Orient in the East, there seemed to be something for everyone at the International Food Market in Tiverton this week. The event held from Thursday, March 31 to Sunday, April 3 brought hundreds of people into the town centre where stalls were placed along Fore Street and Phoenix Lane. Traders from around the world were on hand to display the best products that their respective countries have to offer. Run by Groupe Geraud, the largest market operator in Europe, the International Street Market programme has been running successfully across the UK, Sweden and now also Denmark, and the market team is working in partnership with Mid Devon District Council to bring the market to the town. Tiverton Town Centre Manager for Mid Devon District Council, Rachel Jenman said: “We wanted to do something to start some town centre events and work out what we could do how successful it would be. “We are learning from it to see what we can do to bring people into Tiverton and getting businesses out from the shops, involved in the town centre and bringing more footfall into the town centre.” The District Council now hope it can bring Tiverton Pannier Market into the mix when events like this come to town. Mrs Jenman added: “The idea is to have this as a connection to the Pannier Market. It’s an award winning market and we can showcase the real possibilities there. “It’s great having a wide variety of different foods and that the town can be well known for having street and food markets. “Today shows that there’s a lot of interest in Tiverton and this kind of event. It will bring people down including three coach loads of people who came from Newton Abbot.” Mayor of Tiverton, Cllr Dennis Knowles who opened the market also welcomed the even. “I think it’s a lovely thing to have and I’ve been told it’s been going great guns. “It’s a very important thing to happen to Tiverton and hopefully there will be a lot more in the future. “There is a good turnout; we’ve had three coach loads from Newton Abbot seeing how we do it in Tiverton – the gem of the west. “I’ve sampled the olives, they’re very nice. We’ve also had some chocolate cakes I was able to sample some Greek chicken. “I’ve been told they’re going to Aberdeen next so were very lucky to have them here at this end of the country.” Groupe Geraud is the largest operator of local authority markets in Europe operating more than 1300 market days each week and is the largest French private operator of retail markets, produce markets, cattle markets and fairs of all kinds. Lee McDonnell, event manager for Geraud Markets said: “It’s not been a bad event, I’ve enjoyed coming to Tiverton.” “The weather stuck it out for us; plenty of people about. It’s been great. “I just hope they will all want us back again. If they asked us back I’m sure we would come again.”