A cheese stall moving into the new Preston Market is to expand to include a mini wine bar.
Pickles of Preston has applied to be able to sell and serve alcohol from its new premises.
Run by Nikki Keefe, she said it was time for doing something a bit different with the start of the new market which opens in February.
She said: “I’ve decided to get a licence to sell wine to appeal to a different type of customer.
“We will still be doing the cheeses as we do now but I often have customers coming in and saying they need a good bottle of wine to go with their cheese.”
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Nikki’s new stall will be directly opposite where the old flower stall was in the market.
She said: “I picked that spot as once they have finished the cinema and restaurant complex then we’ll have a stable door and be able to serve people before or after they are heading to watch a film.
“It’s something new for me but I am very much looking forward to it.
“We will only have four or five stalls but I think it’ll be a different option for people while doing their shopping or on an evening out.”
The 38-year-old trader has been running Pickles of Preston for eight years, although the stall has been trading for nearer 40.
She said: “I’ve grown up as a market trader, since I left school at 16. My Mum owns Redmans, so I know the ins and outs of the market life.
“I think what’s happening in Preston is great.
“I’ve been positive all along about it because I think there’s too much negativity.
“A lot of us are investing in this new market, we’ve signed our leases, and it’s just what the city needs. If this isn’t here, then what else? I think it will be a great success.”
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Nikki is working with Preston wine merchant Dvino Wines to source the wines for sale at the stall – once again keeping her choices local.
Pickles of Preston has applied to be able to sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
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The new market is due to open to the public on Monday 12 February, replacing the current Preston Indoor Market.
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