7 Reasons to Visit the Grainger Market

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You can check their website here:
https://ourgraingermarket.co.uk/welcome-grainger-market

The Grainger Market! A place to wander and wonder since 1835. For me, it's a place that holds so many special memories.

From visiting with my mam as a child and being astounded at seeing what a proper butchers is like and popping in as a teen for cheap slushies and another piercing (what a combo!) to visiting with my own children for a quick takeaway snack when in town, safe in the knowledge that I don't have to worry about their mixed tastes as there's something to please everyone. 

I think as an adult though, it's when I've truly learned to appreciate just how much of a gem the Grainger Market is. I love visiting indoor markets like this when travelling and feel so lucky that we don't actually need to travel far to get that buzz.

It truly is the best place to 'Wander and Wonder' - no two visits are the same and you just never know what you'll find next. 

7 Reasons to Visit the Grainger Market 

1 - The History 

The Grainger Market is almost 200 years old and absolutely steeped in history. It's one of those buildings you can walk around and really feel the history of the place around you. 

It is crazy to think that the Grainger Market was built before the Origin of Species was written and that Queen Victoria was just 16 years old when the building was completed (two years before she would take the throne). 

Next time you wander through the historic alleys, look up at the historic ventilation system which was installed to help with air-borne diseases and try and imagine no less than 200 butchers trading together under one roof.

It's amusing now to imagine customers feeling like they'd been short-changed and marching over to the weigh house to check the weight of the meat they'd been sold correlated with what they'd been told. 

The Grainger Market is home to Britain's oldest family pet store. The Robinson family have been part of the Grainger Market for 130 years and when they opened Britain's first self-service pet store in 1955, Sabina (dubbed the British Marilyn Munroe) was invited to officially do the honours and declare the store open. 

Apparantly Sabina caused quite the stampede on Clayton Street. After her official store opening duties were complete, she climbed to the first floor window and started throwing postcards of herself to the gathering crowd below before having to be dragged back inside by a police officer for creating a disturbance. You can just picture the scene. 

The Grainger Market is also home to the last remaining Marks and Spencer's Penny Bazaar which opened in 1895 and is somewhere you can still visit and grab a bargain today. 

2 - The People 

The Grainger Market is made up of over 80 independent retailers. When you visit a business here, it's very likely you'll be buying direct from the business owner or somebody that is part of a small team and very close to the heart of the business. 

The people who work in the Grainger Market really live and breathe their business and know it inside out. They get to know their regulars and go above and beyond for their customers.

Whether this be setting aside some liver for Mrs.Donalds who comes in every Friday or providing tips on how to care for a garment at home or making a recommendation for something they think you'll like. It really is the people who make the Grainger Market. 

3 - It's the Best Place for Grocery Shopping 

How good is grocery shopping at The Grainger Market though? If it's been a while since you last visited, I'd urge you to visit soon and I bet you'll be astounded by the range on offer and the prices too. 

During our last visit, we picked up a bag of fresh limes for just £1 and two punnets of raspberries for £1.50. Wow!!! I'll never forget the time we bought 18 lamb chops for £5 either. Just incredible. 

Steve and I often watch Saturday morning cooking shows and take inspiration for our meals for the week ahead. Something I have found frustrating over the years is that our supermarkets feature less and less choice now.

When it comes to fish, there's pretty much just four choices on offer and that's it and there's no chance of finding a lesser known cut of meat or 'exotic' vegetable. 

I can guarantee though, whatever you need, you'll be able to find at the Grainger Market. Whether this be Octopus from Lindsays, Pig Trotters from Oliver & Eden or fresh Padron Peppers from Bryan Muers, they'll have it. 

And if for whatever reason they don't, they'll try their best to get it in stock for you or advise where you'll be able to find it in the market. 

It's not just meat, fish and fruit and veg. You can easily do a full weekly shop here with cheese stalls, bakeries, coffee and drink stalls, delis and even a fruit & nut weighhouse. All under the same roof. 

4 - It's Always Innovating 

The CGI images in this section are credited to FalknerBrowns Architects and Pillar Visuals and feature plans which are to start this summer. 

The Grainger Market is a Grade I listed building and will always retain it's unique character but I love that it's also always innovating and moving with the times too.

In fact, the Grainger Market has received £8.2 million from the UK Government and has lots of exciting plans (which are due to start this summer).

Newcastle City Council has been working with the Grainger Market traders and locally based FaulknerBrown Architects on plans.

The vision is to create a space for more cultural activities in the market and improve facilities for both the independent local traders who call the Grainger Market home and their customers old and new. 

Upcoming plans include: 

• Significantly improve the arcade area by removing the central pavilion and creating two new pavilions at either end of the arcade. This will really open up the arcade, increase the light and space available as well as provide a more flexibile space for events 
  
  
• One pavilion will include tiered communal seating and steps up to a table seating area. This will be the ideal place to meet up with friends. Soon we'll be able to all grab a bite to eat from different traders in the market and meet up to enjoy together
  
  
• The new pavilions will provide additional space for retail units and events 
  
  
• The arcade will benefit from new Terrazza flooring which I bet is going to look stunning 
  
  
• All 14 entrances to the market are to be fitted with automatic sliding doors to help reduce draughts 
  
  
• Each entrance will benefit from updated decor and signage 
  
  
• The toilets will be refurbished 

You can read more here: Exciting New Plans for Grainger Market

All of this sounds fantastic and I can't wait to see the results. 

5 - Find a Unique Gift 

Looking for a gift for a loved one or need inspiration for the one person that's hard to buy for? I guarantee you'll find something at The Grainger Market. 

From flowers and plants to bespoke cheese boards and local chutneys, a special bottle of Spanish wine, local ales, prints, quirky clothing, pop-up cards, retro boots and games and more, you're spoilt for choice. Here are just a few of my favourite buys: 

Katie and Kay make THE best brownies in Newcastle. Pop into their Pet Lamb Pattisserie and you'll be spoilt for choice browsing their cake counter. A box of brownies / cupcakes from here makes a wonderful gift for all ages. 

Tian's Gifts is a real gem with super unique and excellent value gifts ranging from decorative fans and crepe balloons to intricate pop-up cards and the most gorgeous bookmarks which are made from real leaf. 

I highly recommend gifting somebody a set of lucky coins from Tian - they really do work! 

I recently visited Tender Hooligan and really enjoyed learning about their vintage Dr Marten boots alongside stylish t-shirts and even handmade Dr Marten candles which look fantastic. The detail!! 

And Geordie Gifts is one of our go-to places to visit to find a perfect gift for someone who is proud of the toon. You'll find North East themed prints, bags, gifts and even dog bandanas here.

They all start life as hand-drawn pictures by owner Craig and truly are unique. We especially love the NUFC themed pieces. 

6 - Eat your way around the Globe 

The Grainger Market is super diverse when it comes to takeaway food options and is a go-to place for a quick and reasonable lunch for us when we fancy something a little different. 

From authentic Indian Street Food and Bubble Tea to Spanish Delis, Korean Chicken, Dumplings, Bao Buns, Greek Gyros, Cuban Street Food, Sri Lankan Street Food and of course, traditional Pie and Peas too. 

There is just so much variety and I think you'd stuggle to find somewhere with so many different options anywhere else in the North East. 

The planned communal seating area (work starts this summer) is going to be a game changer for dining here over lunch and I like that in the very near future, I will be able to visit with the kids, we can all visit our favourite stalls and meet back up to eat together at one of the new tables. 

7 - Enjoy Authentic Geordieland 

Finally, if you're looking for an authentic and real taste of Geordieland, you'll find it at The Grainger Market. 

Mingle with the locals as they pick up their groceries, take a seat in one of the cafes and enjoy a proper wedge of homemade pie and mash then shop for all of your favourite local treats from locally brewed ales to our very own brand of Geordie sausages. 

If you want a flavour of the REAL Newcastle, you'll find it at The Grainger Market. 

Forget Greggs, for a proper Geordie Sausage Roll experience, it has to be the Geordie Banger Sausage Roll, available from The Grainger Market. 10/10! 

Do you love visiting the Grainger Market? Please let me know if you have any stories to share or any favourite traders and don't forget to pop in soon and enjoy your very own wander and wonder. 

Keep up to date with new openings, upcoming events and plans here: 

•  https://ourgraingermarket.co.uk/welcome-grainger-market
  
  
• Follow the Grainger Market on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thegraingermarket/
  
  
• Follow the Grainger Market on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/GraingerMarketNewcastle

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