Coleshill Country Market has returned to a rapturous reception from its loyal customers after a 4-month absence during lockdown. Friday’s market proved so successful, despite running for only two hours, with self-distancing and hygiene measures in place, that the whole array of baked goods, plants and eggs sold out within two hours. Now its dedicated producers are preparing to bake many more cakes, savouries, tarts and biscuits as well as supplying preserves, eggs and plants to meet demand. Friday’s market 11th July the first full one since lockdown, running from 8am until noon at the Parish Room, 132, High Street and with a wide range of crafts, cards, bird food as well as the usual goodies. Organisers are also appealing for more keen cooks, gardeners and craftspeople to become producers too as so many local people are desperate for their weekly ‘fix’ of home-baked treats from cheese scones, quiches and shortbread to lemon drizzle cakes and new season’s jams and preserves.

“We got a brilliant welcome from all our regular customers – and a whole bunch of newcomers too,” smiled Market Manager Janet Reilly. “We’d thought it would be very quiet but even though we only ran for two hours, scores of people came in throughout the morning to buy all their favourites – and they all said how glad they were to see the Market back in action because they’d really missed having their usual treats throughout lockdown. Several people even said they’d like to help out and become producers themselves which was very encouraging. We hope to include home-made bread and Indian savouries in the future too. Part of the appeal is that the Market’s such a friendly place. We love getting together, having a chat and making our customers welcome – from young mums with their babies to elderly people, often living alone. Up until lockdown, the same customers would come back week after week as everything is high-quality and home produced.

If you’re a keen cook or gardener and interested in becoming one of our producers you can join the market for just 5p. Everyone is paid for what they sell at the end of each month after we have taken a small fee to cover the cost of running the Market.

Anyone interested in becoming a producer or placing an advance order for baked goods, plants, eggs or preserves should pop in any Friday morning, or ring Janet on 01675-462122 or 07535751946.