Combining food, theatre, bakery and music, The Old Market Assembly – located at 25 West Street, Old Market – will be opening its doors to the public on Tuesday, December 1st.
First and foremost a place for people to meet, the team behind the new venue aim to  “create an environment where cultures collide and meld to create new connections between people and ideas”.
The premises came about after the team who helped to create No.1 Harbourside, The Harbourside Market and The Canteen heard that the Wardrobe Theatre were looking for new premises. Together, they’ve come together to take over the former Empire Theatre and Flamingo nightclub on West Street, to create a building that houses a restaurant, café, bakery, bar, theatre and live music venue.
Goods from the bakery will be available throughout the day, 7 days a week, created by head baker Sanjay Patel and his team. As well as supplying the restaurant, the bakery will enable anyone to pop in to buy produce to take home: a variety of breads (including gluten free loaves), sausage rolls, sweet pastries, cakes and more.
It’s Scott Hislop who’ll be at the helm in the kitchen – the Executive Chef for The Canteen and No.1 Harbourside. Food will be sourced as seasonally and ethically as possible, while adhering to the Slow Food philosophy. Meals are also set to be affordable, with dishes starting at £6.50 and with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options on offer. Expect to find dishes such as a traditional slow cooked Aegean fish stew with Kernow pollack and Newlyn Bay clams, halloumi “fish and chips”, and a variety of tartines on offer at lunchtime.
Drinks-wise, you’ll find Extract coffee, herbal teas and freshly squeezed juices on offer, and a variety of alcoholic drinks too – as an independent bar, expect plenty of exciting stuff. Jack at the Ethicurean has also been helping The Old Market Assembly team to create a short cocktail list.
With a 100-seater theatre also on the premises, there’s plenty to look forward to. Doors open on December 1st, but in the meantime you can find out more via Facebook and Twitter.