Real Markets celebrates 10 years where it all started.....Ilkley

Real Markets on The Grove, which started on South Hawksworth Street [inset photo]

Sunday 1 March sees 10 years of Real Markets at the heart of Ilkley, and there will be celebrations and a chance to win trader treats on the day.

Originally the idea of a group of local residents including Paula Connor, Bernie Baldwin, Fiona Mann, Jeremy Benn and Lucy Allen, Real Markets in Ilkley has grown from a small monthly market behind The Black Hat Pub in 2016 to the current monthly market which runs the length of The Grove. 

A number of traders who started at the first market in March 2016 are still trading with Real Markets today including Leeds Bread Co-op, Wharfedale Fine Cheeses, The Organic Pantry, Really Indian, The Ilkley Kitchen, and Marsh Top Farm, with more familiar faces starting the following year including Tricky Dickie’s Sticky Toffee Pudding, Bree-osh, Third Wave Coffee and Lasagnas on the Road.

Known as “Yorkshire’s Friendliest Markets”, Real Markets was established to offer a positive community hub, bring expert producers and makers together, while also supporting local community initiatives and charities.  Each month, Real Markets offers free space to local charity and community initiatives, as well as donating a portion of profits to local good causes.  Beneficiaries include Christchurch, Climate Action Ilkley, Resurrection Bites, Dementia Forward, Friends of Ilkley Riverside, Grassington Primary School, Harrogate Cat Rescue, Harrogate Lupus Group, Improving Ilkley, the Clarke Foley Centre, Ilkley Carnival, Ilkley Literature Festival, Ripley Endowed CofE Primary School, RSPB, Woodland Trust, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Cancer, Yorkshire Wildlife and many more.

Real Markets started out as Real Food Ilkley

Setting itself apart from other markets, traders at Real Markets must be Yorkshire based independents who make or produce their own goods, or have a specific speciality product.

Real Markets moved to The Grove in 2019 which allowed more spaces to be offered to local makers, bakers and creators, however the organisers carefully curate the market, ensuring minimal stall duplication which does mean applicants are often placed on a waiting list.

Now an award-winning business, The Ilkley Kitchen was launched at the very first Ilkley Market.  Owned by Ilkley resident Marcella Mullan, The Ilkley Kitchen was Real Markets’ “incubator trader”, and they will also be celebrating 10 years of trading.  Real Markets gave the new start up free space at the market, plus advice and feedback on a range of business requirements. 

Marcella Mullan, owner of The Ilkley Kitchen remembers:

“The Ilkley Kitchen was founded entirely because of the market. From the beginning, myself and co-founder Tina made all our products from scratch, with Tina driving across the dales to source the best milk and cream. We hand-churned our own butter for our pastry, yogurt, and cheese—efforts that eventually earned us prestigious Great Taste awards for our pies and tarts.

"The Real Markets Ilkley helped our business enormously during those first few months, enabling us to become regular suppliers to other local businesses. By continuing to work the monthly markets, I was eventually able to move the business out of our homes and into our own quirky kitchen space in Ilkley.Real Markets has been integral to our success for ten years. We are incredibly grateful for our loyal returning customers and the fact that our favourites consistently sell out.”

Upstagers panto cast 'helping' at an Real Market Ilkley!

Lucy Allen from Real Markets said:

“What a milestone!  We’re so incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported our Ilkley Market, from our traders and customers, to our volunteers, the community groups, Ilkley retailers, Ilkley Town Council and Bradford Council.  We would be nothing without your support and your support means we can continue to donate to local good causes and support local independent traders.

"We’re looking forward to celebrating on The Grove on Sunday 1 March and hope to see many of you there.”

Real Markets also runs monthly markets at Ripley Castle, Harrogate, Otley, Grassington, Saltaire, Boroughbridge, Wellington Place Leeds, as well as events at The Piece Hall Halifax and Newby Hall.  New monthly markets at Lotherton Hall and Bedale are due to launch in April 2026.