This month we were supposed to be celebrating our birthday after seventh year in operation but the global pandemic had other ideas. So we thought we’d hunker down online and give you the opportunity to recreate the magic of one of a Levy Market in your own home.
EDIT: since publishing this post we’ve been inundated with responses from our traders with their websites and/or their home delivery services, all of which have been collated here. Do check the page regularly as it is frequently being updated.
We think markets are important. Each week we work hard to transform a car-park into a bustling community event, with people coming together to shop, eat and drink, but mostly to come together to share some space, time and spirit with one another.
But the coming together is no longer safe, at least for the time being. Which is sad. But we know our community well and no-one who lives here has any doubt about its resilience and solidarity to pull through. And while the future remains unknown one thing is certain: once this is all over and it’s safe to do so Levy Market will throw an utter blowout beast of a party.
In the meantime, many of our traders are still open for business, albeit remotely rather than on the market. Small independent businesses such as these rely events like Levy Market to keep going and while we’re not able to bring them to you we really want you to support them and will continue to spotlight many of them and offer our support where we can.
So take a moment to close your eyes and imagine you’re at a night market: you can hear the music, people laughing and children playing. You can smell the mixture of foods cooking and beer being served. You can see some intriguing vintage items, some cool-looking clothes, some artwork which you think would look perfect on your wall. You step forward and make your purchases.
FOOD & DRINK
Cheshire Bakehouse
One of our regular traders who have are now adapting to the current situation with home deliveries of their rolls within an 8 mile radius of Cheadle Hulme. Options include pulled pork, caramelised butternut squash and English smoked cheddar, Moroccan lamb, and caramelised onion and feta. Head over to their Facebook page for all the details.
Kickback Coffee
Whether working from home, performing some ad hoc home schooling or gearing up for a dash to the supermarket, coffee is likely to be your friend over the coming weeks. Thankfully, Kickback Coffee can get their range of locally roasted coffees directly to you, either as beans and ground. Have a browse here.
Konoba
Pasta – everyone wants it these days. Avoid the panic-stripped supermarket shelves by ordering fresh handmade tagliatelle and pappardelle directly from Konoba, along with sauces to go with them, all delivered to your doorstep. Get yourself sorted here.
The Little Yeti
While the market is down, The Little Yeti, everyone’s favourite Nepalese cuisine outlet, have a plan to get your tasty momos to you, along with roti wraps, flavoursome noodles and other Nepalese treats. You can either book for collection or delivery directly (Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm till 10:45pm) via 0161 478 4946 or via Deliveroo.
Rack
If ever there was a time to have a stacked sandwiches delivered directly to your home, it’s now. Rack, one of our local food traders now gracing the internet with their menu, has a brand new delivery range boasting burgers of blue cheese and bacon, onion bhaji burger and grilled chicken shawarma, now being dropped off on doorsteps across South Manchester. You can find out all the info via their Instagram page.
Reddy Lane
Did you know that our resident fruit and veg stall does a veg box delivery service every Sunday? This week customers can expect organic local leeks, parsley, salad kale, wild garlic, mushrooms, red cabbages, celeriac, carrots, beetroot, parsnips, onions, apples, potatoes, swede and pea shoots. £11 or £15 boxes are available (plus £1 delivery charge) payable via transfer. Order yours by emailing Reddy Lane today.
The Tinned Fish Market
Just because you’re on lockdown, it doesn’t mean those tinned food supplies need to be own brand beans. Grab yourself some nutritious fish, all of it sourced from small quality producers in order to protect the oceans and tinned on the day of the catch for freshness. Hampers and monthly boxes are also available. Make your way here.
SHOPPING
Florence in Flowers
You’d be forgiven for forgetting completely, but it’s Mother’s Day this weekend. While most mums won’t mind being thanked for all they do via a Skype chat, you can still go that extra mile via Florence in Flowers, whose floral designs will bring alive the spirit of the wild meadow to those unable to leave their homes. Their online shop is here.
Pumpkin and Peas
While you’re in the house, why not improve your surroundings by ordering some new decor from one of our new local traders, Pumpkin and Peas, whose cushions, coasters, baskets and other items will bring a welcome splash of colour. Or perhaps send one of their engraved Polaroid shaped wooden picture frames to a loved one. All this and more here.
Rooks and Roses
Just because you’re working from home these days, that’s no reason not to look nice. Why not order some jewellery from Rooks and Roses to wear on those conference calls. You can also commission items if you want to get something extra special for any of those big birthdays you might be missing out on. All the info you need is here.
Soap Gal X
Our birthday may be postponed but that doesn’t meant you don’t have to sing ‘Happy Birthday’. Hopefully, you’re already singing it twice while washing your hands every day. Why not give us a birthday present by buying yourself some luxury soap from one of our favourite traders. You can even treat your home to one of their floor freshener mop bombs – that’s bath bombs for your floor! Shop here.
COMMUNITY
Levy Corona Helpers
Now we get to the really important stuff. Local residents here in Levenshulme have set up a group to share info and organise so that we can best support our neighbours and community through the Coronavirus. If you live in or near the area you can join here and you can also email levycoronahelpers@gmail.com if you’re interested in becoming a coordinator for your street.
Open Kitchen MCR
Open Kitchen is Manchester’s waste food catering social enterprise, intercepting food that would otherwise go to waste and transforming it into catering for events, conferences, special occasions and, at the moment, an effort to feed vulnerable people during social isolation. If you are a trader who has some food that will go to waste they can use it to make meals for people in food poverty who are isolated. If anyone has food and wants to arrange to drop off, or for Open Kitchen to collect, you can contact our team on info@openkitchenmcr.co.uk
Burnage Foodbank
Our nearest Russell Trust foodbank is still up and running, continuing to help those in need during a tough time. So when you’re shopping, please drop something off it you’re able to do so. Their main permanent collection centres are Tesco Burnage and Asda Reddish. And if you need some assistance feeding yourself and your family, their two Foodbank centres can be found on Kingsway and Burnage Lane. All the info you need is here.