If you’ve ever fancied popping around the world in 80 days on a mini food trip, make sure you’re feeling a bit peckish. Karine our Darling Editor tasted her way around this fabulous, evergreen Love Wimbledon Market on the Piazza which is getting ready for the post lockdown rush.
Love Wimbledon’s Local Market on The Piazza returned this March, with an adapted market of solely food items, in accordance with government restrictions and allowing for social distancing. NEXT MARKET SAT 1ST MAY AND SUN 2ND MAY
Love Wimbledon’s piazza markets take place monthly, from March to November, with a buzzy vibe and offer up a wide selection of handcrafted gifts, award-winning international street foods and elegant homewares, which celebrate the creativity and diversity of local independent makers. Located on The Piazza (between Morrisons and Wahaca) in the heart of Wimbledon Town Centre, the markets present a great opportunity for small, independent businesses who wish to gain more exposure and begin building a customer base in the local area.
How it all started
The Love Wimbledon Monthly Market on the Piazza began in March 2013 and has now built recognition among the public and traders. The friendly stallholders and their brilliant products attract a number of residents and visitors from Wimbledon and the surrounding South West London areas, that grow to become loyal customers and regularly return to the market. The positive impact of the market on Wimbledon Town Centre is hard to deny, with businesses located near The Piazza also benefitting from the increase in visitors into the town, that the market brings.
During COVID
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, many of us have been paying closer attention to our local surroundings, and exploring what is available in our immediate vicinity. This has led to many residents discovering the market, often when passing by for their daily exercise during lockdown, and realising that they don’t need to leave Wimbledon to find delicious home-baked goodies and mouth-watering hot food! The continuation of the markets through varying restrictions, has provided a buzz in the town and a reminder to remain hopeful for the easing of lockdown.
Every market weekend offers something different, with a refreshing mix of new and regular stalls. Stallholders like LusoBrazil and The Smoke House have remained customers’ favourites since the market’s humble beginnings, with their Portuguese tarts (Pasteis de Nata – Editor’s fav) and traditional Bratwurst sausages, with the ever-alluring fried onion accompaniment being a must-try!
Some of the fabulous vendors
The markets are forever bursting with a variety of high-quality street food from award-winning stallholders, like Little Greece (offering great fresh veggie options too), who will also be taking up a permanent spot in Hartfield Walk, a newly reimagined space coming to Wimbledon Town Centre. There is always something different to try: artisan breads from Olivier’s Bakery, delicious cakes from Lukka Cakery, savoury pies and heavenly cheeses from G-Whizz Kitchen, a gorgeous selection of olives from Olive Corner, freshly made on-the-spot pasta by Compa Food, huge New-York-style cookies by Monster Cookies and brand-new anti-hangover, light alco drinks from new company Whisp.
The presence of these markets has helped add a sense of character and diversity to Wimbledon’s growing cultural scene. Visit Love Wimbledon’s next market on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd April (food-only) and don’t miss the full market returning with gifts, homewares, accessories and more, in May.
You may also enjoy reading about more food markets to try.
