New restaurant openings next week ...

Old Spitalfields Market is delighted to announce the opening of La Tasca Spanish restaurant and bar on Monday 15th September. Come down and sample the authentic and vibrant taste of Spain here in London's Spitalfields.

Then visit us at the weekend and check out Gourmet Burger Kitchen where they have just gone and knocked tradition on the head with their burgers!

These are just two of the exciting new changes going on here at Old Spitalfields Market with many more to follow, so watch this space.......

Another Time Out nomination

We are delighted to announce that our very own Tea Smith has been nominated as a finalist for Time Outs Eating & Drinking Awards 2008 – Best Tea Room! “Explore the world of exceptional teas at TeaSmith's unique tea bar. Some of the world's best teas are prepared in front of customers for the ultimate tea experience. To accompany teas award winning chocolates and cake are served from master chocolatier William Curley”.Try it out at Wollstone Craft Gate in Old Spitalfields Market

WE'RE THE BEST FASHION MARKET!

Old Spitalfields Market has won the 'BEST FASHION MARKET' gong in the Time Out Shopping Awards.

The award, just announced, revealed that Old Spitalfields Market beat the nearest contender Portobello by "an impressive 153 votes". 

Described by the magazine as the "most inspiring style market in London" the market's giving itself a well deserved pat on the back. Market Manager, Eric Graham reacted as follows: "We're absolutely delighted. To come to the end of 3 years of major refurbishment work with a big award under our belt is amazing. It is a tribute to all the hard work and imagination that the stall holders and shop keepers have put in - it's thanks to them that Old Spitalfields Market is still such a brilliant place to visit." We think it's a lot to do with you too Eric!

Thank you to everyone that voted.

TIME OUT SHOPPING AWARD

Old Spitalfields Market has been shortlisted for the 'Best Fashion Market' category in Time Out Magazine's Shopping Awards 2008.

The nomination acknowledges the outstanding fashion offer available in the market's stalls and shops, taking in new designers, vintage treasures, one off accessories and plenty more.

If you would like to vote for the market go to: www.timeout.com/shoppingawards and vote before the deadline on Monday May 12th 2008.

Alternative Fashion Week 21-25 April 2008

Alternative Fashion Week returns to Spitalfields this year. The five day event takes place in the new development right next door to Old Spitalfields Market from Monday 21st - Friday 25th April. 

AFW champions a fresh crop of new innovative designers, with over sixty gifted young things displaying their wares on the catwalk. Themes will include original and recycled textiles across mens' and womens' wear. There will be live music accompaniment and an array of stalls dedicated to a spectrum of fashions and styles from 12 - 3pm every day. Fashion shows start daily at 1.15pm.

Complimenting the show, in the old market there will be the antiques and vintage stalls on Thursday and the fashion and art market on Friday.

 

Restoration works

As you may be aware the refurbishment works inside the market have been going on for some time. The Market Hall is now almost at a point when market stalls can return to trading as usual. We really appreciate your patience during what has been the biggest restoration of the market in the last 120 years.

Although some minor building works are still continuing over the next few weeks, stalls will be permanently back in the market building from Easter Sunday (23rd March).

Market operating days will remain as Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

We look forward to welcoming you very soon!

Taste East

"The future belongs to the East," says this year's Lonely Planet guide, and points to Clerkenwell, Shoreditch and Spitalfields as "London's most creative and exciting districts". Naturally, we think that they have hit the nail very squarely on the head.

The Mayor's office loves this side of the city too. From this Thursday until next Tuesday (that's 6th - 11th March) they are holding the second ever EAST festival, which will see events - from ukelele performances to crime writing workshops - taking place in most of the area's leading cultural spaces. Click on www.findeast.co.uk for more.

On the Friday and Saturday, from 12 - 5pm, the western section of Spitalfields will once again be hosting a delicious flagship food event, Taste East. This year they are bringing the very countryside from which our food is sourced to Bishops Square and Crispin Place.

They will have 40+ stalls selling delicious fresh, organic and traditionally prepared food, Canteen will be spit roasting a tasty pig that will be served with apple sauce, and on the Saturday, Spitalfields City Farm are taking over Bishops Square with farm yard animals.

Hay bales, country crafts, wood carving, spinning, felt-making, story-telling, food themed drawing workshops, balloon-makers, glitter tattoos, acoustic music from the Cosmic Sausages and acrobatics from state-of-the-art movement theatre / dance company Mimbre complete the picture - oh, plus an allotment with resident garden advisor.

See www.spitalfields.co.uk for what's on and when. Hope to see you amongst the bales.