‘It’s starting to get vibrant again’: Grainger Market offers free events this summer in bid to boost visitors

The Grainger Market has always been a place of intrigue. Small businesses, delicious food and often parts of Newcastle history all under one roof.

It’s a maze, and it’s worth getting lost in it.

This summer the market is hosting an array of free events every Wednesday in a bid to boost visitors, but also to help provide entertainment to families scratching their heads in the holidays. On my visit I was met with boxes of creepy crawlies that those braver than me were willing to handle.

“The events have been really popular, the families seem to love it,” said Lacey Embleton, Grainger’s market inspector. “We’ve got balloon modelling, magic shows- things like that. It’s been really popular with it being free and in the summer holidays and with the weather being bad it gives them things to do.”

Barry Moore has been working in the market for 42 years and has played witness to the ebbs and flows of Grainger life. He, himself, had his own fruit and vegetable stall but now works as a manager for another company.

“With Covid everything was closed in the town centre, but it’s starting to pick up; it’s starting to get a bit vibrant again,” said Barry. “The feeling isn’t right yet but it’ll get there.”

Staff and customers are hopeful the events will bring more people into the market. Students make up a big chunk of its customer base and so in the summer things can feel a bit quiet.

“The Grainger is a bit of a funny one,” said Gordon Colley, co-owner of King Baby Bagels. “It’s hard to predict what day-to-day is going to be like but for the most part it’s always a bit busier when the weather’s not gruesome- which recently it has been. But it’s still good.

Overall it’s a lot more steady now, I think a lot more people are aware that we’re a lunchtime option.

Stallholders are optimistic about the future, especially with the market’s incredible glass roof back on display after years of renovation.

“It’s just about getting the word out that we’re here,” continued Gordon. “I feel like a lot of people just pass by the doors, look in and don’t really know what’s going on in here. But there are loads of fantastic places.”