An independent market opened its doors on Monday morning to give Sheffield its first look inside.
Small businesses, vintage traders and local artists had set up their shops in the Red Brick Market near Bramall Lane, with many others continuing to prepare their stalls.
The market works at “welcoming and supporting independent traders, local artists and start-up businesses”.
Chris Day, the owner of Red Brick said: “Now more than ever it’s really important to support your local economy.
“There’s no viable option on the high street for small businesses.”
He added: “The business rates and rent are not sustained for small businesses, lots of the people here have got other commitments like families.”
As an independent market Red Brick allows customers to support vendors directly.
Mr Day said: “You can see it’s going into this family, that family.
“It’s a feel-good way of shopping.”
There is a range of diverse and interesting products on offer, from second-hand clothing, prints, antiques and beyond. Mr Day said there was already a “good sense of community” within the market.
Jo Maycock, of Jam Artworks Ltd, a merchandise brand ‘with a dash of Yorkshire humour’ said: “I came on Friday for a look round and ended up signing up for a unit.”
She added that the market is a “great opportunity” and that it is already a “good mix of businesses.”
The market will be able to hold nearly 100 stores, and Red Brick promises to “provide a unique and inspiring shopping experience to locals and visitors alike”.
Red Brick already has two venues in the UK, originating in Liverpool with another store opening in Birmingham in 2021.
Mr Day said: “This is our third (location) now and we try to pick places that have a similar vibe, central student areas.”
Plans for the Sheffield location were approved last year in place of the former 99 Jump trampoline park on John Street.
He added: “We look all over the UK but the location has got to have that particular feeling.”
Sheffield’s Red Brick Market will be open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and from 11am until 6pm on Sunday.
To keep updated with new shops and developments visit Red Brick Market Sheffield’s Instagram page.
