World first as Hackney gets all-weekend vegan market

The market has grown rapidly since launching in 2016. Photograph: Andy Donohoe

The borough is now home to the world’s first regular all-weekend vegan market after Sean O’Callaghan, better known as the Fat Gay Vegan, announced he is extending his popular Saturday bazaar to Sundays.

Hackney Downs Vegan Market started as a Christmas venture in 2016, and quickly went on to become London’s first monthly plant-based food fest.

As demand for vegan fare continued to grow, organiser O’Callaghan launched it as a weekly Saturday market. He’s now gone a step further and turned it into a two-day affair.

Food is the focal point, but all sorts of vegan products are on sale. Photograph: Andy Donohoe

O’Callaghan said: “Following on from customer feedback, I recently decided to expand Hackney Downs Vegan Market to include Sunday trading.

“Market-goers can shop for street food, take home vegan cheese and meats, patisserie, cupcakes, jewellery, skincare, and more from 11am every Saturday and Sunday.

“The market is home to many independent local Hackney businesses and is a destination for visitors from all over London and the UK.”

O’Callaghan recently launched another vegan market on Venn Street in Clapham.

Hackney Downs Vegan Market is located at Hackney Downs Studios, 17 Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT.

For more details, and to find out which stalls are there this weekend, head to fatgayvegan.com