First Hoylake Local Food Fair attracts 2,200 shoppers

Nov 3 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

MORE than 2,000 people attended west Wirral’s first local food fair at the weekend.

Transition Town West Kirby (TTWK) organised Sunday’s event as a pilot in conjunction with Hoylake Community Centre after a survey showed strong demand for a farmers’ market in the area.

The Hoylake Local Food Fair attracted 2,200 shoppers, who were able to buy meat, preserves and baked goods from 24 producers based in Wirral, Cheshire and North Wales.

Organisers are now hoping to arrange more fairs, with the next expected to take place in the spring.

Wirral West MP Esther McVey, who opened the event, said: “This is a great start, a great service for local people and a great outlet for small businesses.

“I’m impressed to see the community getting together and organising the local food facility they want and I'd very much like to see this become a regular event in Hoylake.”

Some of the more exotic ingredients on sale, like buffalo meat, were showcased in cooking demonstrations by chef Colin Parry of La Paz restaurant in West Kirby.

Organiser Margaret Campbell said: “People are looking for affordable food but also food that is local, environmentally-friendly and healthy, and markets have a big role to play in this. We’ve been grateful for the support of Birkenhead Market and Wirral Council to hold this pilot.”