TWO outdoor food and drink markets are opening in Edinburgh city centre this month.
Dubbed Edinburgh’s “first ever contactless open-air market,” Neighbourgood Market – the brainchild of former Scottish cricketer, Preston Mommsen, and Edward Wilson – is set to open on July 15 in the city’s Stockbridge area.
Located in grounds of outdoor cricket and sports club The Grange Club, the market will open weekly from Wednesday to Sunday and will feature offers from local food and drink outlets Bross Bagels, Mana Poke Bowls, Mimis Bakery, Brew Lab, Innis and Gunn and Edinburgh Gin. The site will also have marked walkways and designated circular seating zones for small groups and visitors are also encouraged to bring their own face masks.
Elsewhere in the city centre, Neighbourhood, the new open-air marketplace located on the rooftop of Waverly shopping centre on Princess Street, opened to the public on Wednesday (July 8) and will operate initially as a takeaway market; the rooftop’s terrace and garden area is expected to open at the weekend.
Operating each week from Wednesday until Sunday between 11am and 7pm until the end of August, the market will showcase “the very best food and drink businesses throughout the city” including offers from El Cartel, Fire & Dough, gourmet kebab maker Kebbabar and Linton & Co. Food and drink establishment, Herringbone, has also teamed up with Innis & Gunn to offer pints of draught beer, cocktails and mocktails.
Jenny Maniam, co-director of Neighbourhood, said: “We wanted to do something that provided an opportunity for some of our colleagues in the hospitality industries who have been hit hard as well as tapping into the incredible public consciousness that has seen a real swing towards supporting local businesses. We want to look forward, not back, and celebrate the diverse independent food businesses that help define our city in a safe environment. Edinburgh is going to feel very different this summer and we hope to create something locals can truly enjoy in a way they probably won’t ever again.”
Mommsen and Wilson of the Neighbourgood Market said: “We are really excited to bring this fresh and uplifting concept to the Stockbridge and wider Edinburgh community. There’s no doubt that it’s been a tough few months for everyone during lockdown – we’re delighted that we are now able to provide a vibrant platform for people to socialise safely once again, all while enjoying some of Edinburgh’s finest food and drink offerings.”
