Suffolk Market Events have been supporting businesses in Suffolk and running markets across the county for nearly 15 years now, so we wanted to know more about their history and their latest plans. If you didn’t have plenty of reasons to visit their markets already, you certainly do now!
We recently held a Q&A with Alex, who runs these markets alongside his partner, Justine. Let’s find out more about Suffolk Market Events…
How long have you been running Suffolk Market Events for?
Justine first stepped in to save Lavenham Farmers Market in 2008, when it was about to be closed. After resurrecting this market, Suffolk Market Events was born and we were asked to set up or reinvigorate a range of other Farmers Markets in the Suffolk area. These included markets in Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds – which are now thriving once again.
We now run over 100 markets a year in Suffolk and Essex! Click here to see what’s on.
What is the newest market that you run?
We revitalised Colchester Farmers Market after the Covid pandemic, moving it to its new location on the piazza outside The Mercury Theatre. It now runs on the first Saturday of every month, with over 30 stalls offering a variety of goods. It is bringing a wonderful local community feel to a city centre, which feels every special.
Click here to see when it’s next on.
What is your favourite market to run?
This is such a tough question, as we are truly passionate about all of our markets!
However, we cannot deny our special relationship with Lavenham Farmers Market – as we mentioned, it was our very first Farmers Market that we ran. It’s held near to where we first lived when we moved to Lavenham nearly twenty years ago, and it’s such a pretty place. Well worth a visit! It’s still a vibrant market where the local community meets, but we also bring in visitors from far and wide, so there is such a wonderful array of faces every time – both new and old!
Why should people visit Suffolk Market Events?
There are lots of reasons to visit one of our events, first and foremost because there is always a great selection of excellent produce, sold by the person who reared, baked, or created the products, so you can talk directly to them and you know exactly what you’re buying and where it came from. Because you are buying fresh produce, the quality is not in question, and you don’t have to be worried about shortages or rationing because seasonal produce is always available at a farmers market – plus there are obvious health benefits in buying fresh.
Secondly, you are putting money right back into the local economy by supporting local farmers and producers. You’ll get a great deal too, as you are buying direct from the producers – so no fees for middle men or wholesalers, just honest pricing!
As well as all the wonderful produce you can buy, you will definitely feel the sense of community when you visit any farmers market – they are social gathering places. Whether you want to meet friends, family, or have a potter around on your own, markets offer great spaces to start the day, and give you a lovely community feeling.