Mercato Metropolitano to launch new venue

London's food market group, Mercato Metropolitano is set to open its fourth market located in Ilford. 

Mercato Ilford has been an important part of the ‘Spark Ilford’ regeneration project – the first of its kind for the local community located in the heart of the Cultural Quarter.

The new venue has generated 100 jobs and driving new interest and visitors to a newly regenerated area for arts, entertainment, events, and food.

The 17 diverse trading partners at Mercato Ilford will offer a wide range of delicious cuisines such as Ethiopian, Indian, Turkish, and Jamaican from a range of new traders, some of whom are opening a permanent trader business for the first time. This includes Afuego by Yassir Chair; a graduate of the Mercato DreaMM campaign, which helps support young businesses by offering a three month rent-free tenure in its food market.

Opening day

The new venue is set to open its doors on Thursday 11 July, with a number of surprises planned. 

Visitors can expect an array of exciting events and performances on the opening day including: a bollywood dance performance, demos from trading partners such as a tea ceremony by Ethiopian trading partner Habesha Cucina, and a mural painting by local school children.

In attendance alongside Mercato will be members of the local Redbridge council and a representative from the Mayor of London’s office, a testament to Mercato Metropolitano’s Good Work Standard Achievement earlier in the year as one of the few employers committed to paying their employees the London Living Wage.

Mercato Ilford is located at 114 Postway Mews.

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