New Forres market aims to be 'best in Scotland' say organisers

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

A new market that will occupy a disused car park in Forres four times a year will kick off with a bang next month and has its sights set on becoming the best in Scotland.

The first Forres Family Market will take place on 1 December in the old Tesco Car Park on Gordon Street, featuring at least 60 stalls with music and food.

A chance meeting between AES Solar commercial director Jamie Di Sotto and Moray Honey Company Owner Tim Williamson, started the ball rolling when they met at another event. They got in touch with Kay Thomson who runs several farmers’ markets and large events throughout the North-east.

Jamie’s company owns the site in Forres where Tesco used to have a supermarket.

He said: “Tim and I had a chat at the Nairn Show where we thought Forres lacks a high quality event that benefits the community and local traders.

“Tim got in touch with Kay who organises events like these and when we met we all agreed the site was perfect.

Best market in Scotland

“The uptake and enthusiasm for the event have been excellent. Our aim is to make it the best market in Scotland that has something for everyone in the family.

“Our long term ambition for the site will include space for continuing local markets and outdoor events.”

Kay echoed Jamie’s ambition for the event: “I want to make the market the best the area, or even Scotland, has to showcase food and drink producers and quality crafters all together in zoned areas.

“The aim is to create a family vibe that makes its own following, expand the market as it develops, create a hub of different ideas with the best producers, and help up-and-coming businesses.”

Kay commented they have more than 65 stalls, despite having a strict criteria of entry to maintain quality.

Part of the team

“Each producer has to be making their own produce not buying in. They have to be local to the area or have sold in the area recently, and most importantly be willing to be part of the team environment. The market’s aim is to help one another on the day and share positivity in the run-up to the events.

“A silver band will be playing with staggered performances throughout the day. In between we have background festive music from Starlite Disco to get everyone in the spirit, and a food court area with tables and seating.

“MLG Transport has kindly sponsored the event. Local groups have also been invited, Forres Mechanics will be selling merchandise, Kinloss Primary School has been asked to make festive banners for the stage, and the Fire Brigade also intend to be on-site to chat with everyone.”

Tim added: “Having always thought that Forres needed a market, myself and Jamie had a chat and it all came together. Kay was the obvious choice to manage the event for us.”

The Forres Winter Market will take place on 1 December at the Old Tesco site on Gordon Street, Forres, 10am to 4pm.

Pictured left to right are Tim Williamson, Kay Thomson and Jamie Di Sotto.

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