Artisan craft and food fair set to take place in Carlisle

Quirky Eclectica is set to unite more than 20 local businesses at its market stall event which is due to take place in Carlisle on Saturday, February 17. 

The crafts and food fair is the brainchild of Ashley Walker, owner of resin jewellery, homeware, and accessories business All Things Nice By Ashley, as well as Manor Barn Organics' Tracey Lindsay.

Ashley and Tracey met in 2021 and dreamed of building a fair that highlighted Carlisle's best small businesses and after a 'flop' first event in Scotby in 2022, Quirky Eclectica is going from strength to strength.

Quirky Eclectica (Image: Supplied)Ashley said: "We realised there weren't many craft fairs in Carlisle and that kind of small business market and we got together, and we only met in August 2021 and then we decided to do the Lanes pop-up shop together with another couple of businesses.

"Then we were like, 'we need to start organising fairs'. We did our first one in Scotby which was a bit of a flop, but you know you learn lessons along the way and after it, the council approached us, and asked if we would organise a fair.

"Carlisle needs something like that, we get the continental markets but having all the local businesses in the centre every month, people really love it.

"People have been really supportive and it's been really good."

February's fair will be the first Quirky Eclectica event in 2024 following a postponement in January. However, it marks the start of a busy period which will also see Ashley and Tracey host 'Quirky Easter at the Fratry' which will be held at The Fratry Hall, Undercroft, and The Cloisters at Carlisle Cathedral on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9.

Ahead of February's crafts and food fair and the upcoming Easter event, Ashley struggled to contain her excitement and explained how Quirky Eclectica is 'dreaming big'. 

She said: "The other traders are happy with how it is going and join us every month and are spreading the word so we have got some new people with us this month.

"We are so proud of ourselves for getting it started and we are just going to keep going and going. If we could get loads more people and have the city centre covered that would be so good, we are dreaming big."