SUNDERLAND’S historic indoor market is breaking with tradition, with plans to start opening on bank holidays.
Jacky White’s Market in the Bridges is to open its doors on Monday May 25, allowing stall holders to trade on a bank holiday for the first time since it opened in the 1920s.
The indoor market has always been a popular attraction to the city centre, with a range of stalls offering everything from fruit and vegetables to jewellery.
Cllr Michael Mordey, Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for City Services, said it was welcome news.
“Jacky White’s Market provides an additional option for city centre shoppers, with quality goods at market prices, so it’s great news that they are moving forward with opening on Bank Holiday Mondays,” he said.
“The improved opening times offer a better service to their existing customers and will hopefully also encourage new customers into the market.”
His words were echoed by Andy Bradley, Centre Director at the Bridges.
“We are absolutely delighted that the market is now going to be open on this and every other Bank Holiday Monday,” said Andy.
“It’s yet another reason for shoppers to come into Sunderland city centre on a day off work and have a huge range of choices.
“Jacky White’s market is a Sunderland landmark and is really popular with local people and visitors so it’s fantastic news that we can launch this on a weekend when the city will be so busy because of the Foo Fighters concert at the Stadium of Light.”
Stall holders at the market have got fully behind the move, with most of them opening on the day.
Joanne Ibbitson, of long standing Jacky White’s business Ibbitson’s Butchers, said: “We’re a real traditional market with a proud history. But shopping habits have changed so much in recent years that we thought the time was right to break with this particular tradition.
“These days shoppers want the best fresh foods and bargains on bank holidays just like every other day. We’re looking forward to offering just that. It’ll give our existing customers extra choice and I’m sure we’ll be seeing lots of new faces too.”
The market will be open from 11am to 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday (May 25) and on subsequent bank holidays throughout the year.