Marketplace finds home in Atrium

A new marketplace has taken up residence in the Students’ Union Atrium. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, students are treated to a sample of Warwickshire in the SU. Monday and Wednesday host sellers of local and fresh food produce, whilst Friday offers the opportunity to purchase clothes and hand-made jewellery, as well as various cosmetics and trinkets.

Farmers Fayre is a shop based in Kenilworth and offers fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, eggs, and cakes. All produce is sourced from small local suppliers with many being accredited Heart of England Fine Food Members. James Williams and Michael Reece, two members of staff who spoke to the Boar regarding their move onto campus, said: “It is always good to try new avenues for business. So far things are selling well – especially the carrot cake.”

A generously sized brownie, cake slice or flapjack is priced at £1, whilst they also supply large hand-made celebration cakes for £5.

Matt Bayes, a first year Ancient History student, was impressed with the meat being sold by Farmers Fayre. He was taking advantage of a two packs for £5 offer and felt that the quality was “far better here than anything being sold in a hideous chain store.” All meat is processed by James in the shop, with the beef being sourced from Daventry, whilst the sausages use Buttercross Free Range Pork.

Taste of the Moorelands is also providing confectionery in the marketplace. A hand-made treacle tart costs £3, whilst a pack of five large shortbread or oatie cookies are selling for just £2 per pack. Taste of Moorlands also sells freshly baked white and brown bread for £1 a loaf. According to one satisfied customer the shortbread “just melts in the mouth”.

The most recent addition to the marketplace is Ted the Pie Man, which will be joining the other regulars on a Wednesday only. They also supply Keele University and are keen to capture similar levels of interest here at Warwick. They are based in Staffordshire and specialise in home-made pies. Ted claims these pies are the “best in England”.

“You are not paying for an empty pie – they have a lot of filling so you can be certain of getting value for money,” he said. So far these pies have been popular with both students and staff, with the steak and ale single pie being the best seller so far. There is also a vegetarian option of cheese and onion for veggie students wishing to test Ted’s claim.
Charlotte Brown, a first year Maths student, was happy with her pie purchase claiming “it is good value for what you get.”
A Rootes resident said, “I was tempted by a pie just because Ted was such a pleasant guy. It feels really good to be helping out friendly local suppliers, and they make a real contribution to the new SU.”
Friday also welcomed an array of stalls, all from the local area. Aspire Style has a shop in Staffordshire, as well as Oxford Street and Warwickshire, and sells an array of gifts including handbags, charm bracelets, pocket mirrors, and many unusual trinkets.

There are also stalls selling clothes, costume jewellery, cosmetics and perfumes, and numerous different gift ideas. All store holders are keen to advertise the fact that they are responsive to student demand.

“If things sell well, we will keep bringing them back” said James from Farmers Fayre. “The students need to tell us what they want so we know what to supply.”

Ted, the pie seller, also said that he will keep returning so long as students remain interested. So far students seem to be appreciative of the new use of the Atrium, however, Matt Bayers said, “it would be better if there were more stalls, the bigger the better.”