The English Market launches new online gift vouchers

Cork’s 235-year-old English Market has gone digital with new online gift vouchers redeemable at over 40 unique stalls in the market, making a gift of Cork’s culinary jewel available to more people than ever before.

Everything from fine craft butchers and fishmongers to herb and spices from around the world, to fresh fruit and locally grown vegetables, fine chocolates and delectable cakes, and so much more, makes the English Market the ultimate destination for festive preparations and Christmas treats.

The English Market elves have been hard at work curating a delightful selection of Christmas favourites, including gourmet hampers, speciality foods, and indulgent treats. Along with the newly launched gift vouchers, there’s something to make every festive celebration extra special this year!

Brendan Walsh is the Commercial Property Manager for Lisney, the Managing Agent appointed by Cork City Council to oversee the development of Ireland’s historic covered market.

It’s a dream job for Brendan, who was a customer of the English Market long before he took up his role. For him, Christmas at the market is a nostalgic reminder of times when he came to the market with his mother to pick up everything for a spectacular Christmas feast.

“I remember going shopping with my mother as a young boy and calling to the English Market where she would get all her meat, fish and spices — to mention a few,” says Brendan.

“We wouldn’t go to the supermarket because we’d get everything we needed from the English Market. My mother had her regulars she would pop to; she would know the traders because she had built up relationships with them from calling in every week.”

“A few of the traders would always have something for us, a sweet or something to keep us busy while they were talking to my mother!”

“When I look at it now, 30 years and more later, it hasn’t changed an awful lot. You still have customers who have great rapports with traders; customers have their trader they call for their fish or bit of beef. That’s one of the things that makes the English Market so unique, is the relationship between trader and customer.”

“The hustle and bustle is still there; the energy is still there; the quality is still there. Those things haven’t changed in all the years I’ve been a customer of the market, and that’s a great testament to how it has managed to continue with traders providing quality food to their customers.”

Christmas time at the English Market is always special. The lights, atmosphere, and the smell of spiced beef in the air — there really is no place like it to soak up the festive spirit.

“Christmas is a special time here because you have people visiting from all over Munster who want to come to the English Market especially to embrace the atmosphere: the lights, the traders, and of course the food — it has to be about the food!

"People have their usual things they always want to get; maybe that’s a hamper full of Cork-made artisan foods, their cooked hams or a traditional Cork spiced beef. All these things they’ve heard about or tasted and want to enjoy over Christmas.”

“There’s no better place to get you in the Christmas mood than being in the English Market,” says Brendan. “The atmosphere is electric, and it’s a pure Cork tradition! You’re definitely going to be in the festive spirit after visiting. Everybody’s busy buying their bits for Christmas and looking forward to meeting up with people and the traders. Everyone is in good spirits.”

As well as the range of foods on offer and the outstanding quality on display, the English Market is also a place where traditional food skills are kept alive. Butchers, fish and cheesemongers, bakers and cake makers, fruit and veg producers, are all on hand to advise what is best to buy and how to cook it. Not only that, but they can take some of the stress out of Christmas cooking by preparing your centrepiece exactly how you want it, so all that's left to do is cook and serve!

“There are a lot of expertise within the market, and it’s like a big family. If a customer usually likes a certain type of meat but you want to try something else, the trader can advise you on what to get, and if they can't get it for you, they'll be able to advise you where to get it in the market. There’s nothing the traders in the market can't supply.”

With so much choice, a gift voucher from the English Market makes a perfect gift this Christmas. Voucher cards are still available to buy from Coffee Central and The Sandwich Stall, as they always have been, but this year the launch of digital vouchers means the gift of the English Market is available to purchase by gift seekers all over the world.

“For the first time, customers can now purchase vouchers directly from the English Market’s website. These vouchers can be redeemed from the majority of the 40+ stalls operating in the English Market — not just for fresh foods, but also for the cafes, restaurants and eateries operating in the market,” explains Brendan. 

"To buy, simply visit the English market website, click on Vouchers, order and pay online. You’ll receive an email with a QR code which can be printed out or stored on your phone. The vouchers can also be emailed directly to the person you wish to gift the voucher to. Vouchers are redeemable by traders, either in full or for a partial amount with any remaining balance staying on the voucher, which is valid for up to five years.

“These new online vouchers are great for those looking for the ideal gift this Christmas, or any time of the year because everybody loves to shop in the English Market!”

The vouchers are available all year round, making them an ideal gift at any time. Savvy shoppers may even be minded to gift themselves vouchers throughout the year, ready for a big festive shopping spree on all their traditional Cork family favourites!

Find out more here.