THE TRADER TURNED TASTEMAKER

Birmingham isn’t exactly short of quality markets. But when Brindley Artisan Market returns to Central Square a week today (Thursday, August 27), there’s serious pedigree behind the offering because one of the people choosing the traders knows exactly what it’s like to be standing on the other side of the stall.

Part of a series of Brindleyplace markets running since May, the event has been created to bring local independents into the heart of the estate, giving the Brindleyplace community and wider public another reason to spend time in Central Square. The August edition is being delivered in collaboration with market organiser Charlotte Jenkins and her company, Blue Moon Markets, alongside street food specialists Easy Streat Markets.

Charlotte began trading as an illustrator at markets in 2021, before moving into organising them towards the end of 2023. That experience has shaped the ethos behind her events – and given her a pretty good idea of what independent makers actually need from the person running the show.

“I really pride myself on being a very personal organiser, especially to my traders,” says Charlotte. “You’ll go to some markets and you don’t even know who’s organising it. Putting on a day that will do their work justice is important to me.”

It also means she understands just how much graft has happened before a single vase, print or piece of jewellery reaches the table.

“You appreciate the work that goes into it – the work that actually goes into even bringing these products to a market,” she says. “For me, a big part of my ethos is that I focus on the traders. I feel a responsibility; not only for them to have a successful day, but also for them to have a nice one. It makes the experience for both traders and visitors so much better.”

The August 27 market, running 11am to 3pm, brings that independent spirit into the heart of Brindleyplace, with locally produced food and drink sitting alongside a sizeable helping of handmade creativity.

Expect fresh breads, cakes, sauces and drinks alongside paintings, prints, ceramics, jewellery, skincare, stationery and other things you definitely didn't know you needed until approximately three seconds after seeing them.

“If you need a painting on your wall, we’re the place to come to,” says Charlotte. “We always have a lovely mix of ceramicists, so if you need a vase or a planter or even a mug, they’re all handmade. We’ve got lovely jewellery designers too.”

Brindleyplace was Charlotte’s first outdoor market location, and its position brings an unusually broad crowd. “It’s actually really nice because we get such a mix of people,” she says. “Workers to and from work that need a break come down and have something to eat and have a browse, then people that are just there to enjoy Birmingham. It’s just a really nice, vibrant mix.”

Behind the scenes, Charlotte says, the markets are very much a collaborative effort, with the Brindleyplace team providing the well-managed, safe, clean environment in which the independent traders can do their thing, while trusting Charlotte’s experience when it comes to curating the stallholders.

She says "Brindleyplace trusted me to bring a fantastic line-up of artists and designers. I think it’s a great way of not only championing the small businesses that come and trade, but also the small businesses putting the markets on.”

The result, she says, is a market where the emphasis remains firmly on the people behind the products. “It’s always buzzing. Everyone’s very supportive. Even if they don’t buy something, people are very appreciative of everybody there.”

And August isn’t the end of it. Brindley Artisan Market is part of an ongoing programme of events at Brindleyplace, with another market following on September 24. Separately, Midlands Record Fair brings its own market to the estate on Saturday, August 29 at which Charlotte will also be bringing arts and crafts goodness with Blue Moon.

Brindley Artisan Market is at Central Square, Brindleyplace, on Thursday, August 27, from 11am to 3pm.