ILKELY'S new food market is being supported by Ilkley and District Round Table, who have bought two gazebos and tables to enable community stalls to be part of the new venture.

The new market will be located on a cordoned-off section of South Hawksworth Street on the first Sunday of every month, March to December, from 10.30am until 3pm.

The first market will be held on March 6, with an official opening ceremony from 10.30am. Ilkley Rock Choir will provide entertainment and there will be a healthy cookery demonstration by Active-Eat.

Organisers of the new market, Real Food Ilkley, are a Community Interest Company operating on a not-for-profit basis. The organisation was set up to provide a regular fine food and local produce market in Ilkley for the benefit of the community.

The market, with a total of 17 pitches each month, will be accessible and inclusive to all sections of the community. Priority for stalls will be given to small businesses operating within the LS29 area.

The aim is for local producers and sellers to be able to showcase specialist local and seasonal food.

Paula Connor, from Real Food Ilkley, said: “We are confident the market will be well supported by local residents and visitors to Ilkley.

"It will provide a new opportunity for the public to meet with local producers and sellers, learn more about the provenance of the food they are buying, which will in turn create a more personal and educational shopping experience.”

Commercial stallholders will be selected according to strict criteria to ensure the ethos of Real Food Ilkley is upheld. Considerable interest has been received from local producers and sellers for the available pitches, covering such products as Yorkshire cheese, meat, organic fruit and vegetables, gluten free savouries and sweets and jams and chutneys.

Paula added: “The market will attract residents and visitors into Ilkley town centre. We would like the market to become a community hub and provide a monthly opportunity for people of all ages to get together.

"A busy market place will provide an excellent venue for local community groups, such as Girl Guiding Wharfedale, Dementia Friendly Ilkley, Outside the Box and The Clarke Foley Centre, to attend and raise awareness and funds for their good causes.

"Two of the stalls will be offered to a wide range of groups on a rota basis. Real Food Ilkley will provide the equipment needed for two community stalls to enable them to attend.

"On behalf of Real Food Ilkley, I would like to thank Ilkley and District Round Table for supporting us with the purchase of the two gazebos and tables to facilitate the set-up of the community stalls.”

Real Food Ilkley would like to encourage applications from anyone who would be interested in running at a stall at one of the markets.

Visit facebook.com/ilkleyfoodmarket/ or contact the Real Food Ilkley team on realfoodilkley@gmail.com for more details.