Chelmsford residents and visitors can look forward to a fresh culinary experience as Essex Foodies Market prepares to bring its celebrated collection of local vendors to the historic Hylands Estate. This exciting partnership promises to elevate the monthly Open Estate Days with an impressive array of artisanal foods, craft products, and community spirit that has made Essex Foodies a beloved fixture in the region’s independent business scene.
Celebrated Local Market Brings Fresh Energy to Historic Chelmsford Venue Starting February 2025
The culinary landscape of Chelmsford is about to receive a significant boost as Essex Foodies Market, a renowned local food and crafts collective, has secured an exciting new partnership with the historic Hylands Estate. The popular market organizers will officially launch their presence at the venue’s monthly Open Estate Days beginning Sunday, February 9, 2025, marking a new chapter for both organizations and creating an enhanced experience for visitors.
A Fresh Addition to a Historic Setting
Hylands Estate, one of Chelmsford’s most treasured historic properties, will now feature the vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings of Essex Foodies as part of its regular Open Estate Days programming. The collaboration promises to create a more dynamic visitor experience by combining the estate’s existing family-friendly activities with an impressive selection of local food vendors, artisanal products, and handcrafted goods.
The introduction of Essex Foodies to Hylands Estate represents a strategic partnership aimed at showcasing the best of Essex’s independent business community while providing visitors with an enriched cultural experience. Market-goers can expect to find everything from freshly prepared foods and locally sourced ingredients to unique crafts and specialty items, all within the picturesque grounds of one of the region’s most distinctive properties.
The Evolution of a Local Culinary Institution
Essex Foodies, which operated previously as Writtle Foodies, has established itself as an independent market featuring an impressive array of local food and beverage vendors, fresh produce, and artisanal crafts. The operation is spearheaded by entrepreneurial duo Jessica Scotchbrook and Hannah Vickers, who have created a sustainable platform for small, independent, and local traders to showcase their products and build their brand recognition.
What sets Essex Foodies apart from conventional markets is the founders’ commitment to nurturing a strong sense of community among both participating vendors and regular customers. This community-centered approach has helped the market develop a loyal following and establish itself as more than just a commercial venture—it’s become a cultural gathering point for food enthusiasts across the region.
The market’s origins trace back to October 2023, when Scotchbrook and Vickers launched Writtle Foodies following the closure of the longstanding Writtle Farmers’ Market earlier that summer. Initially establishing their operation at Writtle Village Green, the market quickly gained popularity for its exceptional selection of culinary offerings and handcrafted items from diverse local producers.
Entrepreneurial Spirit Behind the Market
Beyond their roles as market organizers, both Scotchbrook and Vickers bring authentic entrepreneurial credibility to their venture. The pair successfully manage their own culinary businesses—Butter & Scotch and XO Dough, respectively—while simultaneously coordinating Essex Foodies Market and maintaining part-time employment elsewhere.
This firsthand experience as small business owners gives them unique insight into the challenges and opportunities facing independent traders, informing their approach to market management and vendor selection. Their personal understanding of what it takes to succeed in the competitive food industry has helped them create a supportive environment where small businesses can thrive.
The duo’s experience extends beyond market organization. Having participated as vendors at numerous markets throughout Chelmsford, including previous Open Estate Days at Hylands, they bring valuable perspective from both sides of the market experience. This dual viewpoint has allowed them to craft an operation that effectively balances the needs of traders with the expectations of customers.
Strategic Growth and Rebranding
The market’s journey has been characterized by thoughtful expansion and strategic development. In November 2024, following substantial success at their original location, Essex Foodies expanded their operation to include a second site at Channels. This growth reflected increasing demand from both vendors seeking space and customers eager to access their offerings.
Shortly after this expansion, Scotchbrook and Vickers announced a significant rebranding initiative, transitioning from Writtle Foodies Market to Essex Foodies Market. This name change acknowledged the operation’s evolving identity and broader geographical reach within the county. The rebranding positioned the market for further growth while maintaining its core values and community focus.
The move to Hylands Estate represents the next logical step in this expansion strategy. The collaboration offers Essex Foodies the opportunity to continue growing with additional support from the Hylands team, whose experience in event management and promotion will complement the market organizers’ expertise in vendor curation and community building.
Carefully Curated Vendor Selection
A distinguishing feature of Essex Foodies Market is its meticulously selected roster of vendors. “We put considerable thought into selecting the businesses we collaborate with at Essex Foodies,” explain Scotchbrook and Vickers. “We’ve deliberately developed our vendor list to ensure the market presents a diverse range of high-quality products. Visitors will see this thoughtful curation reflected in the traders already confirmed for February’s Open Estate Day and future events.”
This careful selection process ensures that each market offers a complementary mix of products without unnecessary duplication, creating a more satisfying experience for shoppers while maximizing opportunities for individual vendors. The result is a well-balanced marketplace that showcases the diversity of Essex’s culinary and craft communities.
The founders’ emphasis on quality and variety has been instrumental in building their reputation among both consumers and potential vendors. Many traders now view participation in Essex Foodies as a mark of distinction, recognizing the market’s role as a tastemaker in the local independent business scene.
A Boost for Chelmsford’s Cultural Economy
Local officials have expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and its potential benefits for the wider community. Cabinet Member for an Active Chelmsford, Councillor Natacha Dudley, described the collaboration as “fantastic news for Chelmsford,” noting that “Essex Foodies Market has developed a sterling reputation for its exceptional lineup of regular traders, earning them a dedicated customer base and recognition for distinctive food and craft offerings.”
Councillor Dudley further emphasized that “The partnership between Essex Foodies Market and Hylands Estate is particularly valuable for Chelmsford, as both entities are committed to championing small, local enterprises and showcasing the finest products Essex has to offer. Essex Foodies Market will undoubtedly enhance the atmosphere of upcoming Open Estate Days.”
The collaboration aligns with broader economic development strategies aimed at supporting independent businesses and promoting local tourism. By creating additional opportunities for small producers to reach consumers, the market contributes to a more resilient local economy while enriching Chelmsford’s cultural offerings.
Looking Forward to February and Beyond
Regarding the upcoming launch at Hylands Estate, Scotchbrook and Vickers shared their enthusiasm: “We’re absolutely delighted to bring Essex Foodies Market to Hylands Estate and look forward to working creatively with the Hylands team in the coming months to develop this into the best possible market experience. As small business owners ourselves, having access to Hylands’ established reputation and location, combined with their team’s support, will be invaluable to us and our traders as we continue to evolve.”
The first Essex Foodies Market at Hylands Estate will coincide with the venue’s February Open Estate Day, when visitors can enjoy numerous family-friendly activities throughout the grounds. This integration into the existing event programming creates natural synergies and provides multiple attractions for visitors of all ages.
For regular attendees of Essex Foodies Market at its other locations, the expansion to Hylands offers a new setting to enjoy familiar favorites, while for Hylands Estate visitors, the market brings fresh energy and additional reasons to explore the property. “We can’t wait to welcome our loyal Essex Foodies supporters alongside new faces to Hylands in the coming months,” the founders added.
The partnership between Essex Foodies Market and Hylands Estate exemplifies how collaborative approaches to event programming can create enhanced experiences for visitors while supporting local economic development. As the February launch approaches, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be an exciting new chapter in Chelmsford’s culinary and community landscape.