Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

WE have a new stall for the sweet-toothed among you starting at the Designer Outlet farmers’ market in Swindon this Sunday.

Ivy’s Cookies was founded by mother and daughter team, Wendy and Aidan.

“We saw a gap in the market for gourmet cookies, made with luxury ingredients. There are loads of sophisticated cupcake, macaron and meringue bakers out there, but the humble cookie had been overlooked,” said Wendy.

And so came Ivy’s Cookies — the all-natural and organic bakery. They use local organic eggs, flour from Wessex Mill and Netherend butter plus fair trade sugars and cocoa.

“We offer cookie stacks, chunkies, sassy and beautifully decorated dainties and super cute dainty minis that make lovely canapés. Whether they’re frosted, chocolate dipped, dusted, iced or naked, each one has a soft, just-been-baked texture that makes you want another.”

It makes my mouth water just thinking about them!

Meanwhile there has been a noticeable drop in the trade of more traditional farmers’ market fare, such as vegetables, cheeses and meats. Stallholders are reporting a noticeable drop in the number of regular Swindon customers.

We are concerned about this because although there are stalls that benefit from the high footfall at the Outlet, the market is first and foremost there to bring farm-based and local produce to the people of Swindon. We are there every Sunday from 10am to 4pm, the parking is handy and cheap and the produce is excellent.

Markets

  • Bradford on Avon, third Thursday, 9am to 1pm at Westbury Gardens, BA15 1DE.
  •  Bradford on Avon, last Sunday, 10.30am to 2.30pm at Lamb Yard, BA15 1FG.
  •  Calne, second Saturday, 9am to 1pm, near the library, SN11 0JU.
  •  Corsham, third Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street SN13 0HB.
  •  Devizes, first Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Market Place l Malmesbury, second and fourth Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, Market Cross 
  •  Royal Wootton Bassett, fourth Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street.
  •  Salisbury, weekly on Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm, Poultry Cross.
  •  Swindon Farmers’ Market, every Sunday, 10am to 4pm, Swindon Designer Outlet, Kemble Drive, SN2 2DY.
  •   Trowbridge, second and fourth Friday, 9am to 1pm, Fore Street, BA14 8HX.
  •  Wanborough, third Saturday, 9am to midday, Wanborough Village Hall.
  •  Warminster, first and third Fridays, 9am to 1pm, central car park, BA 12 9BT