Local Heroes Food Market to return to Sunderland

A pop-up food market is returning to Sunderland this weekend after the success of its debut event in the city last month.

The Local Heroes Pop-up Market saw bakers, brewers, cheesemongers and street food vendors descend on Sunderland city centre in October and, following its popularity, a second event has been scheduled for this Saturday November 26.

Organised by Food & Drink North East, with the support of Sunderland City Council and Sunderland BID, the event will take place in Sunniside Gardens between 10am and 4pm and will see local traders selling fresh produce and delicious gifts for the festive season.

There will be 30 traders at the market, including Vaux Brewery, Acropolis, Lucca Pizza, Le Mini Macaron, WL Distillery and Crêpe Gourmet.

Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland BID, said: "We're delighted to see the Local Heroes Pop-up Market return to the city and highlight the fantastic traders and artisans from across the North East.

"Last month's event was a great success, and we can't wait to see the beautiful Sunniside Gardens busy once again with people enjoying fresh produce and delicious treats."

Adding to the fantastic independent offer in the Sunniside quarter this Saturday is The Athenaeum Fair, an event in The Athenaeum building on Fawcett Street which will have stalls from regional makers, designers, vintage and antique sellers.

The fair has been organised by Breeze Creatives - a visual arts organisation which redeveloped the Athenaeum building last year to create a studio and gallery complex.

Zoe Breeze, director at Breeze Creatives, said: "This is the first makers fair at the Athenaeum and follows on from our first one at the John Marley Centre in Newcastle.

"The fair will be both upstairs and downstairs in the Athenaeum, giving residents and visitors to the city the opportunity to see some of the wonderful creative talent we have in the region and support local artists.

"Visitors can also see our new workshops and event space, which plays host to some incredible art shows and exhibitions open to the public throughout the year."

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "It's brilliant to welcome Food & Drink North East to the city for another pop-up market, and with The Athenaeum Fair taking place on the same day, residents can make a real day of it.

"We have some amazing traders and talented makers from Sunderland and the wider region, and this Saturday will be a celebration of that, providing residents with the opportunity to see what's going on and support local businesses and the Sunniside community."