Stanley's street market is proof of what can be achieved when residents, visitors and local organisations come together for the benefit of the community, according to a latest survey.
The research, which was undertaken by independent consultants, The Retail Group, was commissioned to understand the extent to which the markets are being successfully delivered and embraced by local residents, but also understand how they can be improved.
The results revealed that the bi-monthly market held on the high street in Stanley is creating such a buzz that it is fast becoming a firm favourite with local residents and ‘brings light to Stanley’.
The markets, offering a mix of tasty cuisine along with entertainment and street theatre, are organised by food market specialists Baccanalia and sponsored by Karbon Homes.
The next market will spring up on Friday 10 April during the Easter school half-term at Stanley Front Street running from 3pm to 7.30pm.
Victoria Keen, Strategic Place Partnership Lead at Karbon, said: “The markets have received overwhelming support, with around 11,000 visitors joining us across the markets held so far, and the feedback has been fantastic.
“The results of our independent research with market visitors and traders show we are creating a unique experience that is helping put Stanley firmly back on the map. People have described the events as ‘well curated’ and ‘family friendly’, and we’re beginning to see the benefits of the generated footfall, celebrating what the town has to offer.
“With the Easter half-term week and children being off school, I hope it will attract even more footfall with local residents and visitors from far and wide. We are delivering something really special here in Stanley and the programme that has been organised looks fantastic. We now also have the lighter nights so please pop along if you are free.”
Organised by Stanley-based arts organisation The Forge, at the next market, visitors will be entertained by a guitar-playing puppet called Jimi Handtrix who will bring full rockstar energy to the street. The Fairly Famous Family and their comedy River Cottage will also be treating guests to a roaming mobile kitchen through the crowds, as they create ‘fusion food on the move’.
Live cooking demonstrations will be served up by Nourish Food School and MADEby Bridge Creative will showcase an interactive light installation made alongside local communities. Face painting, street food traders, sweet treats and much more will be on the menu throughout the afternoon – this is a must visit event and is all free of charge to attend.
The markets have received funding from the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness. Kim said: “It’s exciting to see the positive impact that the Stanley Street Market is having on the community, bringing people together, celebrating the culture and heritage of Stanley and creating a buzz in the town.
"I'm really pleased we've backed the market and it's great it's been such a success."
The markets are part of Baccanalia’s Street Food Carousel, a county-wide programme of Street Food events. Alongside working with well-established food vendors, Baccanalia also supports local organisations and businesses to become street vendors and to improve their offers.
Thomas Wales, Director of Baccanalia, said: “It’s brilliant to be back in Stanley in 2026. We’ve designed our Street Food Carousel series to bring consistent, high-quality experiences into town centres across the region, and Stanley has become an integral part of that circuit. We love delivering here, working alongside partners like Karbon Homes and The Forge to create something that feels lively, welcoming and rooted in the town.”
Following last year’s street food markets held in Stanley, and following a successful bid to the North East Combined Authority, we commissioned the street market review and engaged independent consultants The Retail Group, who have experience of helping to unlock the market’s potential and future proof and have worked with markets all over the UK.
As part of our place shaping mission to help deliver positive change, we are keen to see the town centre regenerate and thrive for the benefit of the town’s residents. The research was commissioned to understand the extent to which the events are being successfully delivered and embraced by local residents, but also understand how the market’s offer can be improved.
The overarching conclusion to the research is that it is abundantly clear that the existing market format and delivery model that it is driving footfall to the front street, bringing the community together and boosting pride in place which is what Karbon set out to achieve. Everybody involved agrees that the Front Street comes alive when the food market is trading and feels much more vibrant as a result.
The dates for the remaining three markets are on the following Fridays: 12 June, 14 August and 9 October 2026.
Stanley's street market is proof of what can be achieved when residents, visitors and local organisations come together for the benefit of the community, according to a latest survey.
The research, which was undertaken by independent consultants, The Retail Group, was commissioned to understand the extent to which the markets are being successfully delivered and embraced by local residents, but also understand how they can be improved.
The results revealed that the bi-monthly market held on the high street in Stanley is creating such a buzz that it is fast becoming a firm favourite with local residents and ‘brings light to Stanley’.
The markets, offering a mix of tasty cuisine along with entertainment and street theatre, are organised by food market specialists Baccanalia and sponsored by Karbon Homes.
The next market will spring up on Friday 10 April during the Easter school half-term at Stanley Front Street running from 3pm to 7.30pm.
Victoria Keen, Strategic Place Partnership Lead at Karbon, said: “The markets have received overwhelming support, with around 11,000 visitors joining us across the markets held so far, and the feedback has been fantastic.
“The results of our independent research with market visitors and traders show we are creating a unique experience that is helping put Stanley firmly back on the map. People have described the events as ‘well curated’ and ‘family friendly’, and we’re beginning to see the benefits of the generated footfall, celebrating what the town has to offer.
“With the Easter half-term week and children being off school, I hope it will attract even more footfall with local residents and visitors from far and wide. We are delivering something really special here in Stanley and the programme that has been organised looks fantastic. We now also have the lighter nights so please pop along if you are free.”
Organised by Stanley-based arts organisation The Forge, at the next market, visitors will be entertained by a guitar-playing puppet called Jimi Handtrix who will bring full rockstar energy to the street. The Fairly Famous Family and their comedy River Cottage will also be treating guests to a roaming mobile kitchen through the crowds, as they create ‘fusion food on the move’.
Live cooking demonstrations will be served up by Nourish Food School and MADEby Bridge Creative will showcase an interactive light installation made alongside local communities. Face painting, street food traders, sweet treats and much more will be on the menu throughout the afternoon – this is a must visit event and is all free of charge to attend.
The markets have received funding from the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness. Kim said: “It’s exciting to see the positive impact that the Stanley Street Market is having on the community, bringing people together, celebrating the culture and heritage of Stanley and creating a buzz in the town.
"I'm really pleased we've backed the market and it's great it's been such a success."
The markets are part of Baccanalia’s Street Food Carousel, a county-wide programme of Street Food events. Alongside working with well-established food vendors, Baccanalia also supports local organisations and businesses to become street vendors and to improve their offers.
Thomas Wales, Director of Baccanalia, said: “It’s brilliant to be back in Stanley in 2026. We’ve designed our Street Food Carousel series to bring consistent, high-quality experiences into town centres across the region, and Stanley has become an integral part of that circuit. We love delivering here, working alongside partners like Karbon Homes and The Forge to create something that feels lively, welcoming and rooted in the town.”
Following last year’s street food markets held in Stanley, and following a successful bid to the North East Combined Authority, we commissioned the street market review and engaged independent consultants The Retail Group, who have experience of helping to unlock the market’s potential and future proof and have worked with markets all over the UK.
As part of our place shaping mission to help deliver positive change, we are keen to see the town centre regenerate and thrive for the benefit of the town’s residents. The research was commissioned to understand the extent to which the events are being successfully delivered and embraced by local residents, but also understand how the market’s offer can be improved.
The overarching conclusion to the research is that it is abundantly clear that the existing market format and delivery model that it is driving footfall to the front street, bringing the community together and boosting pride in place which is what Karbon set out to achieve. Everybody involved agrees that the Front Street comes alive when the food market is trading and feels much more vibrant as a result.
The dates for the remaining three markets are on the following Fridays: 12 June, 14 August and 9 October 2026.
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