New market opens at St Ann's Square

A new market has just arrived at St Ann's Square. Called 'Feast', it brings together over 50 traders from around the North West and beyond to tempt us with handmade, home-produced delectables and drinks.

New to the Manchester Markets scene is The Saddleworth Cheese Company, featuring handmade cheeses by actor-turned-cheesemaker Sean Wilson, best known for his role as Martin Platt in Coronation Street.

If you're looking for something interesting to cook-up at home, this is the place to go. Or you can use it as a weekend or lunchtime meeting spot for get-togethers with friends.

There's coffee, afternoon teas, early evening cocktails and real ales. Or why not try hot chocolate served Spanish style with churros – long, skinny doughnut-type snacks that you dip in your drink? If you're looking for lunch on the go, there's hot sausages, traditional pies, freshly-made chicken and mango kormas and more.

Cheese fans will find it very exciting. New to the Manchester market scene is The Saddleworth Cheese Company, featuring handmade cheeses by actor-turned-cheesemaker Sean Wilson, best known for his role as Martin Platt in Coronation Street.

Joining him will be established cheese trader, the award-wining Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese and The Snowdonia Cheese Company, specialising in regional cheese and chutnies.

If you like a bit of sweet after your savoury, go and have a look at Anna Gill's stall. This Piccadilly Gardens regular will be serving her brownies, cupcakes and other delights at Feast. Anna’s baking has proved so popular that she’s about to open a branch of And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon, a cake shop and tearoom, in West Didsbury with a special pudding menu.

Way back in the past, we'd spend the autumnal months stocking up for winter and strengthening ourselves for the harsh months ahead. Society might have moved on since then, but our genetic impulses are yet to catch up. Why fight it, we say. Autumn is a time for feasting – get stuck in.

The Feast Market, St Ann’s Square, 29 September-10 October, 10am- 5.30pm.