A restored 100-year-old warehouse will become a vibrant hub for the city’s finest independent food and drink brands when it launches in April.

It has been devised by Graffiti Sprits, the group behind Liverpool’s popular food and drink venues Santa Chupitos, El Bandito, Salt Dog Slims, 81 Seel Street and Santa Maluco on Castle Street. The new market will house a sixty-cover showpiece restaurant, a sushi bar and a variety of artisanal produce and speciality drinks to offer a unique dining destination all serviced by no less than six kitchens. Their aim is for Duke Street Market to become one of the North West’s primary culinary tourism destinations.

We want it to be an artisanal hub for years to come and something that the people of Liverpool can be proud of

Street food traders will represent a mixture of leading independent Liverpool talent and operators from further afield. A host of operators have already been confirmed, including CINDER, headed up by the founders of critically acclaimed restaurant, Belzan on Smithdown Road, who specialise in open wood fire cooking and sharing plates.

2019 01 10 Duke Street Market — **Outside what will become Duke Street Market**

CINDER co-founder, Christopher Edwards, said, “Markets are traditionally a meeting place for people and communities, so we love the idea of groups of friends sitting together and sharing the same thing.”

“I worked with Graffiti Spirits Group before opening my own businesses, so the opportunity to work with the team again was a no-brainer,” he added. “The quality of food available from the market and the emphases on the provenance of ingredients that runs through all the vendors will lead to a market that feels dramatically different to anything the city has seen before,”

2019 01 10 Finca Bunuelos Cuban Doughnuts — **Finca's bunuelos Cuban doughnuts**

Another confirmed trader is FINCA, which piqued national interest last year by winning BBC2’s Million Pound Menu for its excellent Cuban street food, which then led to a residency at Artisan in Manchester.

“We’re delighted that our first permanent residency in Liverpool and new home will be at Duke Street Market”, said Joseph Earnshaw, co-founder of FINCA. “It’s going to be brilliant to serve up our dishes six-days a week in the heart of Liverpool, alongside some great traders. We can’t wait to get started.”

Cucina Di Vincenzo28 — **Cucina di Vincenzo will offer pasta dishes**

The most recent confirmed trader is Cucina di Vincenzo, a family operated Italian restaurant based on Woolton Road, which will specialise in pasta dishes. Owner, Vince Margiotta, said “Cucina di Vincenzo is delighted to be part of this great addition to the casual dining scene in Liverpool, especially as we’ll be trading alongside other independent, passionate foodies who are committed to raising the bar in terms of quality, service and hospitality.”

Co-founders of Graffiti Spirits Group, Matthew Farrell and John Ennis, devised the concept of the 500-capacity venue, which will act as a platform for the city’s finest independent brands. Quality, sustainability, produce and artisanal methods will be a core focus.

2019 01 10 Duke Street Market Build — **Duke Street Market under construction**

Duke Street Market will also house a specialist classic cocktail bar with an ethical and sustainable focus, offering paper straws, minimal water usage and even some seasonal alternatives to lemons and limes. Staying true to the authentic marketplace ethos, there will also be a speciality wine and craft beer offering, which visitors can enjoy there and then or buy to take home.

2019 10 01 Duke Street Matt Farrell And John Ennis — **Duke Street founders Matt Farrell and John Ennis**

“This is our most exciting project to date,” said Duke Street Market co-founder, Matt Farrell. “It has become a larger job than expected, which can happen with buildings of this age, but the charm of the venue is phenomenal. We want it to be an artisanal hub for years to come and something that the people of Liverpool can be proud of.

“The aim is to keep pushing Liverpool’s thriving food and drink scene forward and for Duke Street Market to become one of the top culinary tourist attractions in the North of England. We are in talks with a lot of well-established figures and want the final inclusions to become a collaboration of industry professionals operating under one roof.”

Duke Street Market will open in April 2019. For more information, visit http://dukestreetfoodmarket.com