Durham market continues to shine

Jan 22 2009 by Graeme King, The Journal

Personal service from fishmonger

ONE of the longest-standing stalls in the Durham Indoor Market is IK Fish, run by experienced fishmonger Ian Kennedy. He and his wife also run Cafe Senno on the mezzanine floor of the market building.

IK Fish was voted the 2007 Retailer of the Year in Durham, and he is full of enthusiasm for the experience the market provides.

He says said: “We have built a reputation for personal service. People want, especially in a specialist trade, advice and service on what to buy, how to cook, how to prepare food.

“The way markets are working at the moment, with a slight downturn in business for high street shops, we can offer real value for money.

“This market is unique in being privately owned and promoted by a small group of people who are really keen for it to be an important addition to the retailing experience here.

“With this being a tight-knit community, with students here as well, we can provide a personal level of shopping compared to other markets and other cities.

“The market company has invested heavily in the last five to eight years in the structure of the building, and the traders have invested too. Also, the market company and the Durham Tourism Partnership have worked hard to put us on the map as far as tourists are concerned.

“We’ve been good hosts in the past, and we hope to do more of that in the future.”