Old Spitalfields Market will host the first London visit of a travelling eco-friendly market this March.
The Keen Green and Ethical Trade Market will join the historic Spitalfields bazaar every Tuesday and Wednesday, starting this week.
It is the first time the green market has come to London after touring the UK for seven years.
Apart from ethically traded arts, crafts and clothing, there will also be organic food and drink, as well as demonstrations of energy saving inventions.
Paul Kennedy of the Market Square Group, which organised the initiative, said: “We have an ethical trading policy and we like to include products that show how businesses based in the West have developed long term commitments to partners in the developing world.”
The market will sell goods from Thailand, India and South America, but also products from the UK. Local traders are encouraged to participate and can still apply for stalls.
Kennedy said: “We recognise that each region has something different to offer and we want this to be reflected in our line of stalls.”
Visitors can also expect musical performances, among them classical violinist Andrew Hubbard, who will perform on March 6, 7, 27 and 28.
The opening on Tuesday also includes a performance by “full time fool” Devilstick Peat, who will be entertaining and educating visitors with eco-friendly magic tricks.
The Old Spitalfields market is in Horner Square and open seven days a week. Built in 1876, it is one of the capital’s remaining Victorian markets.
Events and marketing manager Andrew Sparrow welcomed the “exciting new addition”, which he said will offer visitors “hand-crafted products from small artisan producers from near and far.”
