New Saturday food market to launch in Lower Marsh

The new Lower Marsh Saturday Market is Waterloo Quarter BID's latest attempt to revive the struggling Waterloo street market and shopping area.

The new Saturday market will be open from 10am to 3pm.

Products expected to be on offer include biodynamic fruit and vegetables from Brambletye Farm, award-winning meats from Boarstall Meats, artisanal charcuterie from Cannon & Cannon, bread, cakes and desserts from HMP Brixton's Bad Boys Bakery and traditional Italian foods from the husband and wife team behind The Seriously Italian Company.

On weekdays the street market is now dominated by hot food vendors catering for the lunchtime trade.

The GLA-funded £100,000 Portas Pilot in Lower Marsh and The Cut has recently ended but the shopping street faces further challenges as several long-standing businesses close their doors.

During 2013 Lower Marsh lost Cooper's Natural Foods, Guys and Dolls hair salon, the launderette, the secondhand bookshop, Steve's Bed & Breakfast and the Inshoku Japanese restaurant.

Already this year the Man&Eve gallery has closed and Phillips Framing is running an end-of-lease closing down sale.

On Wednesday night members of Waterloo Community Development Group discussed the impact of the recession on Lower Marsh.

One new arrival in Lower Marsh is the tooth dental surgery which opened this month at the corner with Frazier Street

"Deciding on Lower Marsh was easy – we're local to the area and consider ourselves a real part of the vibrant community here," said principal dentist Dr Anna Olczak.

"From the first time we ever visited Lower Marsh we were drawn by the street's eclectic mix of shops and cafes, and the great people that make Lower Marsh what it is, so we knew the street was right for us."

Another newcomer to the street is the Orso Major art gallery which is temporarily occupied the former Casse-Croute shop.