Jesmond Food Market made a comeback last weekend, celebrating its third anniversary after being cancelled last month due to cold weather.

March’s market on Armstrong Bridge should have taken place on Saint Patrick’s Day, with several traders prepared to mark the occasion by, for example, wrapping their products in Irish green paper. But according to most traders we interviewed last weekend, the “Beast from the East” caused them some financial loss.

Some traders have been doing business in this market since it opened in 2015 and say it has become more successful than anyone at the time expected. Others told us that the market for them has become more than just a place to sell products, but also an opportunity to meet the community.

According to Roger Loxley, one of the organisers, Jesmond Food Market has also been the launchpad for at least four businesses and says he hopes the market will continue to be a big part of the Jesmond community. “We want to work with schools to provide some facilities for children to come and learn about sustainable food growing,” he said. “We’re looking at ways in which we could develop that community involvement and become more than just a market.”

The next Jesmond Food Market is scheduled to take place on Armstrong Bridge on Saturday 19th May from 10am to 3pm.