The Student and Younger Persons Market, coming soon to Leicester Market, will offer great produce to those looking for fresh and delicious food on a shoestring.

University and college students, as well as young people unfamiliar with the market and the great variety of stalls on offer, can now come along on the first Saturday of every month to see what they’ve been missing.

The market will also be hosting Speciality Food Markets on the same day, selling a range of mouth-watering cuisine from all around the world.

Famous for its quality and affordable prices, Leicester Market has received acclaim from local celebrities like Leicester City legend, Steve Walsh and Kasabian front man, Tom Meighan, who dubbed it; “One of the best in England.”

If you are interested in trading at the Student and Younger Persons Market get in touch using the contact details below and find out about our specially discounted rates that start from just £10 a day.

To enquire about taking part in these two exciting markets please call 0116 223 2371 or email markets@leicester.gov.uk

My love of markets came from my childhood. Every Saturday, my mother would take me to our local market to buy food for the weekend. I always remember the excitement of buying the first local strawberries or purple sprouting broccoli, duck eggs, rabbits or a tub of butter cut from a huge block. The smell of freshly-baked bread permeating the market also sticks in my mind.

I remember buying household bargains as well, from washing powder and polish for our shoes, to dog biscuits and tea towels. I loved the noise the market made where every trader had his unique way of shouting his wares – it all sounded like an opera in full swing. Then, of course, after the shopping we were allowed an ice-cream whatever the weather, always with a chocolate flake.

The first time I visited Leicester Market I was amazed at the great range of quality produce, its ethnic diversity and the good prices of all the items on sale. For me, the fact that Leicester is the largest covered market in Europe really makes it the unsung hero of the East Midlands.

I have had the privilege of being the Ambassador of the Market this year and I have met so many people who are passionate about what they sell on the market and, indeed, its future success. But, a market needs people to be successful and we need to keep reminding everyone to use this gem of Leicester as many times as they can. This includes local food businesses.

Word about this great market has also reached London with Leicester chosen as one of the markets to be filmed for the new Channel 5 series, Street Market Kitchen. I was asked to take part in one of the programmes which is due to be aired some time in September, so look out for some great coverage of our market then.

As well as the main market, there is also Beaumont Leys market just outside the centre of Leicester. I was there on Friday July 30th doing cooking demonstrations all day. Questionnaires were handed out to see what people want to see there, such as whether they want more food stalls. The market has suffered in recent years as a large Tesco nearby has taken a lot of the trade and it has been difficult for the traders. We have to use markets like these or we will lose them, which would be terrible for the area and for those people trading out of the market.

Leicester is a unique city with both of its wonderfully diverse markets and I am proud to be associated with it.

For more information on Rachel Green visit her official website at www.rachel-green.co.uk

Leicester City Council has today announced plans to invest £600,000 into improvements to Leicester Market.

The proposed investment will cover work to improve the appearance of the market in an effort to attract more shoppers and improve training conditions.

Cabinet will be asked to approve the proposed investment at its next meeting on August 16th.

Initial ideas for improvement include an option to remove part of the existing canopy to create a more flexible trading space, new signage and the completion of a waste recycling pilot scheme. All proposals will be subject to consultation with traders.

The planned improvements will also build on the success of Leicester Market’s recent Food and Drink and Artisan festivals in attracting new business to the market and providing greater choice for shoppers.

Cllr Paul Westley, Leicester City Council cabinet member for markets, said: “Leicester Market is a key element of our city’s retail heart. Trade has been difficult through the recession and I welcome these proposals to invest in the market’s future.

“The market plays a central role to our vision for the city and we need to support existing traders as well as attracting new business. This investment will help us do this and I look forward to discussing our plans with traders.”

If approved, improvement work will be undertaken over the next six months.

After the success of the Summer Food and Drink Festival, the first ever Winter Food Festival will be taking place at the market on Sunday November 21st. Anybody interested in setting up a stall or appearing at the event should call Joe Harkin on 0116 223 2371 or email Joseph.Harkin@leicester.gov.uk.

You can also download a booking form by clicking here to apply for this years event.

Leicester’s second ever Summer Food and Drink Festival, held at Leicester Market on Sunday May 30th, proved a great success as thousands of people enjoyed trying and tasting different dishes, watching talented chef’s show of their culinary expertise and buying fantastic fresh produce to create tasty recipes of their own.

Last year, Leicester City Council and Leicester Market presented Leicester’s First Food Festival to celebrate food and diversity in the city and 2010’s offering was even more impressive as dishes from all across the globe were eagerly prepared and devoured in equal measure.

TV Chef and Leicester Market Ambassador, Rachel Green, also appeared at the Festival, carrying out live cookery demonstrations and talking through some of her favourite recipes.

Rachel, who has appeared on several television shows, including ITV Yorkshire’s ‘Flying Cook’, BBC Three’s ‘Kill It Cook It! Eat it!’ and ‘Farm of Fussy Eaters’ on UK TV Style, kept visitors engaged in her own inimitable way, providing great knowledge and enthusiasm about her recipes and the produce used.

Header of Leicester Markets, Nick Rhodes, hailed the event as a great success.

“It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the unique and fresh produce that Leicester Market has to offer. There was a great atmosphere throughout the festival with many different sounds, aromas and of course an incredible selection of food.

“The market has always been famous for our fruit and veg stalls and meat and fish markets, and as well as showcasing these, the festival proved what a superb city Leicester is for food lovers, with a great selection of local restaurants and producers on offer.”

Thousands of people visited Leicester Market’s Food and Drink Festival on Sunday May 30th, sampling the great variety of local produce on offer.

Celebrity chef, Rachel Green, who is also an Ambassador for Leicester Market, entertained the crowds with live cooking demonstrations and handy advice, recipes and tips.

Below is a selection of pictures taken by Soar Photo who captured the atmosphere of the day on camera.