New Traders add to variety in Market Hall

In recent months, Durham Market Hall has welcomed four new businesses, expanding the range of products available to shoppers in the city of Durham.

The most recent addition to the Market Hall family is Diane Hepple whose stall, Little Bit Cookie, is freshly stocked daily with cookies and cakes, and offers a bespoke celebration cake service.  A lover of home baking, she started selling at food fairs and markets.  Diane commented: “I’m now thrilled to be doing what I love every day of the week, and have been warmly welcomed by customers and Market Hall traders.”

Norseman Durham opened a few weeks earlier, operated by Jack Burniston.  Having started selling pagan and Norse-inspired jewellery in his mother’s Market Hall shop, JB Antiques, he has now ‘expanded’ with his own shop stocked with jewellery, gifts, and home décor all inspired by Norse mythology, Vikings, pagans and spirituals.  Jack commented: “I think the uniqueness of my shop is helping to raise its awareness, I now have people visiting from across the North East, some popping in quite regularly. And other visitors to the Market Hall are thrilled when they stumble across a shop full of such interesting products.”

Two of the Market Hall’s new traders were regulars at Durham Markets Company’s Saturday Outdoor Market, before taking permanent space in the Market Hall.  Tarryn Mann moved into the Market Hall so she could bake her produce where she sells.  Her specialist bakery, The Nook, supplies vegan and gluten-free sweet and savoury foods, and is attracting shoppers from a wide area.  Tarryn said; “We’re the only 100% vegan food shop in Durham, and many clients have followed me from the Outdoor Market into the Market Hall.  The sweet treats are always a hit, whether the shopper is vegan or not.  My Smores Bars and Cookie Pies always sell out.”

Louisa McLean also brought her business, The House of Eden, from the Outdoor Market into the Market Hall. She stocks incense, home fragrances, and upcycled kimonos as well as her own range of personalised gifts.  Like Tarryn, Louisa wanted to be able to create and sell in one place.  She commented: “There’s something unique about the city of Durham, which is one of my main reasons for opening here.  And, as with other Market Hall traders, spotting a gap in the market is the starting point.”

As well as the four new traders in the Market Hall, Brooklyn Pizza Slice has recently returned.  The business originally launched in the Market Hall in 2016, and relocated to North Road in 2021.  The reopening of the  take away pizza stall in the city centre location has been widely welcomed, and has proved particularly popular with the city’s students.

James Wilson, Operations Manager at Durham Markets Company, commented: “We’re passionate about small businesses, and are thrilled to have four new and varied businesses joining the Market Hall family, as well as, of course, being able to welcome back Brooklyn Pizza Slice.  Small businesses like those in the Market Hall and at our Outdoor Market are vital to the city.  They are helping to keep the local economy vibrant and they ensure that Durham city centre is different from any other high street.  Our traders are passionate and knowledgeable about what they’re selling, which adds real value to the service you’ll receive.  We always recommend a browse of the Market Hall.  Each time you come in, you’re bound to find something new.”