A NEW cottage market will open in Newbridge this summer.

Twenty cottage markets are set to open in towns across the country this year as a result of the Cottage Market initiative unveiled by GIY and supported by Ulster Bank and The Ireland Funds.

Last month community groups from across the country were invited to apply to the initiative for funding in order to establish and run their very own Cottage Market.

“Newbridge is a thriving commercial town, the commercial heart of the county. It has a population of over 22 thousand people and many more regular visitors, because of the shopping and to visit attractions such as Newbridge Silverware,” said a spokesperson for the Newbridge group.

“But the other side of this thriving commercial activity is the fact that the community and small local producers are almost completely unrepresented. We would love to help give the community its own ‘shop window’ and show people that there’s another way to shop.”

They aim to host their first market in June after completing a training course at GROW HQ in Waterford, GIY’s Food Education Centre and home to the GIY movement. The group will also receive funding towards marketing, insurance and set up equipment costs.

For details of the opening dates follow @GIYCottageMarket  on social media.