A POPULAR venue that hosts some of the UK’s best street food traders is giving back to the hospitality industry in a bid to improve the local economy – and give independent retailers a much-needed boost.
Award-winning Bustler Market began as a small street food market in Derby back in 2017 but is now a multi-venue operation with its latest Midlands venue, in Nottingham, opening in October 2022.
Whilst the hospitality industry were struggling, Bustler were booming with their Nottingham outlet – in the newly regenerated Sneinton Market area of the city – bucking the trend with, post-covid, packed out weekly pub quizzes, brunches and planned collaborations with Nottingham Craft Beer Festival and Arboretum Beer Festival to attract more people to the area.
Now the Bustler team want to support small independent food businesses who may not have their own base or facilities, and have taken on a second unit in Nottingham that will have three permanent kitchen spaces to enable food traders to push their businesses to the next level.
Managing Director, Olivia Pritchard is excited to see how it develops. She said: “The second unit is directly next to us and offers so much promise. Our aim is to make it an intimate espresso and wine bar and home to three permanent kitchens, enabling us to expand the whole Bustler offering and adding to the hub of activity in the bustling Sneinton Market area.
“We will cover the majority of the fit-out by reinvesting any profits. However, fit-outs don’t come cheap and therefore we need to raise additional funds to make this happen.
“These kitchens will give those passionate street food traders access to key facilities which will help push their businesses to the next level.
“It means that they will be able to develop their menus, offer delivery services and collaborate on more events in the area, all whilst improving the experience of customers who visit Bustler.”
Since opening Bustler Nottingham, the venue has hosted food traders including Secret Burger Club, Prad Thai & Kebab Cartel, and local bakery Treat Kitchen who held a decorate-your-own biscuit session at Bustler over the Easter holidays for children.
With a bar serving craft ales and cocktails, plus live entertainment, Bustler is fast becoming the go-to venue in Nottingham.
Jess Hassall, Marketing Manager added: “We pride ourselves on creating a bustling experience in unused spaces. We pick and curate all the good stuff and, after our success in Derby, we used that revenue to start up this new venture in Nottingham.
“We have great relationships with a variety of amazing, talented food traders both locally and nationally.
“We’re confident that having these permanent kitchens will only add to the lively food and drink scene the city has to offer.”
Those who donate to the Crowdfunder will be rewarded in various ways; those donating £5 can get any drink off the menu when the new unit opens whilst for those wanting to donate more – for example £200 or more – can get a pint a week for a whole year.
To donate, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/bustler-nottingham-expansion
