INTEREST in a new artisan market, which launched in Dane Bank on Sunday, July 26 has taken organiser Jen Carter by surprise.
When Jen made a Facebook post looking for would-be stallholders, she was only expecting a lukewarm response.
“I had more than 100 replies and excellent feedback, bearing in mind we only have space for 14 stalls,” she explained.
The artisan market took place at Denton West End Library between 10am and 2pm.
And it is hoped to eventually run an artisan market on the last Sunday of each month with the next one pencilled in for September 27.
Jen, who launched her own handmade soaps and luxury goods business during lockdown, said the stalls are a mixture of crafts and food while the library will be putting on tea and coffee.
“We have a mix of people, experienced sellers and some who are simply pursuing a hobby,” explained Jen, who works in retail for Cash Generator in Ardwick.
Jen admitted it has been challenging to organise and run the artisan market safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The grounds of the library are not large which is why we are restricted to 14 stalls to enable social distancing to be met. We also have an entrance and exit and one-way system,” she explained.
The inaugural event was opened by Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, while the Dane Bank Characters were in attendance and ran a tombola.
Profits from the day, which were just short of £600, have been given to the community-run library which needs funds.
It came from a tombola run by the Dane Bank Characters and the £10 fee paid by each stallholder.
Jen said: “It was a brilliant day and I was overwhelmed and so happy by how well it went.
“There were queues to get into the market for most of the time and a lot of the stallholders completely sold out.
“It is about everyone coming together to make it a fantastic day which is why we want to do it again and make it a monthly event.”