Old Spitalfields Market pic: Herry Lawford
A new shopping event promoting eco-friendly and ethical trading is coming to Old Spitalfields Market next year.
Green Wednesdays will take up a weekly residence at the market for an initial period of six months from February 2012. The market is advertising spaces for local businesses that specialise in ethically sourced products.
The fair, run by the Market Square Group, will also showcase energy saving gadgets such as solar panels, and use these to generate electricity for the market.
Producers and merchants of sustainably produced arts, crafts, clothing, jewellery and home furnishings are welcome to apply.
Fair-trade, organic, free-range and homemade food will also be an important aspect of the market, with small-production market traders selling local and regional produce.
Paul Kennedy, of Market Square Group, told EastLondonLines that the fair hopes to do justice to the reputation of east London as a historical market location.
He said: “We want the market to become a part forum for ideas and exchanges of gadgets, energy saving materials and ideas that come out of the local community.
“We continue to see a demand for original products of good quality. A great many people care about where their food comes from and the ingredients that are used. Similarly, original, handmade and or ethically traded arts, crafts, clothing and jewellery are holding their own in these challenging economic times precisely because people are being more careful about how they spend their money.”
The project is part of the Keen Green and Ethical Trade Market, who organise annual sustainable shopping fairs across UK cities such as Newcastle and York. The Spitalfields installment is the first time the green market will become a weekly event.
The Market Square Group will work closely with Tower Hamlets Council to ensure that the fair works alongside eco-friendly initiatives already in place in the borough.
Anyone interested in taking a stall in February 2012 should call Paul Kennedy on 07944 599165 or email office@marketsquaregroup.com.
