The Farmer’s Market movement has been one of the most enjoyable and successful food trends over the past decade but local markets don’t always offer the most convenient way to shop.
A new grocery retailer, Union Market, has just opened its flagship store, offering everything Londoners love about the farmers’ markets from fabulous choice, to first-class provenance, inspired know-how, and an opportunity to buy from traceable British growers and food suppliers. Yet, this all comes with the conviences of a supermarket: long operating hours, daily opening, a regular product range, free delivery, and parking.
The new store on Fulham Broadway is a huge 5,000 square foot food hall set in the 105-year old listed building, originally built for London Underground by Harry W. Ford. This impressive building boasts a double-height glass atrium and has retained much of its architectural character, including the original, and very sizeable ‘To the Trains’ signage.
A state of the art kitchen is visible through the old ticket office counters, where fresh food is prepared for the Union Market Kitchen, situated at the very centre of the store. Weekend brunches, cream teas, full English breakfasts, healthy light lunches, salads, and snacks are available throughout the day, and the chef’s recipes will be drawn from every continent; whilst the ingredients come from closer to home.
Chefs, farmers, and foodies are on-hand to share their know-how on a regular basis and there are also cookery demonstrations and tastings. A programme of cookery lessons and pop-up dinners given by a celebrity chef is planned to start in the fall.
Union Market’s company is closely involved with all its suppliers, large and small. Cheeses come from one of the UK’s leading cheese specialists, Neal’s Yard Dairy, and there are goods from dozens of smaller producers such as artisan breads from the Flour Station, which began life in the kitchen of award-winning restaurant Fifteen, and Trealy Farm Charcuterie, which is situated on the edge of the beautiful Welsh border country.
Tony Bromovsky, Founder and Commercial Director of Union Market says that the company’s proposition is about traceable, natural, regional, high quality, best practice British food. “We want to deconstruct the old drab supermarket model and replace it with the fun of shopping and eating in a beautiful food hall that reflects timeless rural values and practices.”
Union Market, 472 Fulham Road, London, SW6 1BY
Open Monday to Saturday from 8am–8pm. The bakery is open from 7am for coffee and morning baked goods. Sunday: 2–6pm.
