to not understand the snobbery about old-fashioned markets?

[StuckInTheMiddleWithYou]

I'm not talking about organic farmers markets or antique markets or anything like that, but the old fashioned kind. The sort you often find in under purpose built roofs in old cities, like Stockport, Norwich, Leeds, London and Newcastle.

We were talking about food shopping at work (dull I know) and I mentioned that most of my meat, fruit & veg, bread and few other things comes from a market. I go there because its far cheaper than any supermarket and the quality is as good if not better sometimes.

However, people at work were horrified. They're were mostly convinced that I was setting myself up for food poisoning and that markets were "dirty".

Is this a common view? I'm amazed.

I understand that supermarkets are often the only choice in some areas and very convienent particularly if you're in a hurry or have kids in tow, but surely they are the only reasons people shop there? Aren't they?

We have the longest market in Europe where I live. Well it was but its getting shorter and shorter every year.

I love it.

The people born round here are always moaning about how crap it is now compared to the old days though.

I dont get my veg in it because I cant be arsed to hang about in the mad scrum.

We have a lovely local market and one of the best things was that I could order my fruit, veg and meat for christmas. It takes all the pressure off as its good quality. Unfortunately my butcher has retired now

Markets are great but I've had some bad experiences buying the fruit and veg. One stall at the local market near me had a lovely display of fruit but they sold me stuff from the back and put it straight in a paper bag so I couldn't see what I was getting. Some of the grape were bad and I took them bak to complain, and the stallholder was very rude and veruy begrudgingly replaced them.
On the other hand most of the other stalls are excellent: good quality produce, low prices and helpful staff.
You might have to try a few different stalls before you find one that is reliable.

Bury Market is the only reason I go back up North for a visit nowadays. I love it there. The markets down south are rubbish in comparison. :)

Bury market is ace for food, but has reams of dry goods tat just like most markets. In general I think a lot of markets are good for food but not much else. It's a shame, would be great to see proper flea market stalls with decent stuff, not the same old box of rusting junk every week. Or mobile phone covers, or Daniel O'Donnell cds...

There is a "market" near me where joints of meat are for sale without refrigeration on rotting old tables. And blokes selling dodgy cigs out of carrier bags. It's not good. But I will happily shop at any decent market for food!

I'm happy to let people go to Waitrose/Tesco etc and I'll happily shop at our local markets. Certain stalls sell Mothercare and other childrens lines fro last season for a fraction of the rrp and fruit and veg is cheap ef 4 figs/£1, 10 tangerines for £1, 4 x corn cobs/£1 etc. Of course there are some stalls/markets that may sell tat but others sell useful things like hardware or household items, health food and old fashioned sweets

I love markets, and charity shops. Whilst I have experienced some snobbery about charity shops (such as we only donate and don't need to shop there type of thing) I haven't ever experienced this with markets.

squeaky Bury market is still one of the best for food, we always get really good meat/ fish produce from there - plus a lot of restaurants around here use the Bury Black Pudding as it's just delicious.