Unique Retail Concept “Sourced Market” Targets Equity Raise of £700,000 on CrowdBnk

Based on a farmer’s market that specializes in offering high quality, locally-sourced artisan produce Sourced Market has announced it is expanding due to unprecedented demand.

Launched in 2007, Sourced Market  opened its first permanent site at St Pancras International station in 2009.  The company is nowlooking for its most passionate customers, suppliers and all lovers of quality artisan produce to invest in their business.  Sourced Market wants to raise £700,000 through both small and large investments in exchange for equity in the company, funding an additional site in London. Crowdfunding platform CrowdBnk is being used to administer the fundraise.

Interested individuals may invest from as little as £25 to secure equity in the company.  There are also rewards offered to sweeten the deal.   From food platters and hampers to free Monmouth coffee and craft beer. Larger sums will give investors the opportunity to join the exclusive Sourced Market Food Advisors group: an inner team with opportunities to scout high profile food events and discuss the business’ future with.

The company, which is also well known for providing street food catering for world-famous events such as the London 2012 Olympics and the Rolling Stones’ Hyde Park concert, aims to deliver the quality, variety, atmosphere and shopping experience found at farmers’ markets with the convenience of an express supermarket.

Sourced Market has grown rapidly from an idea whilst living on Borough Market to deliver high quality food at festivals in 2007 to an innovative new food retail concept in 2009 to a profitable business delivering revenues in excess of £2.5m from the first site in 2013

In an added twist, Sourced Market is also launching a competition for members of the public to help create a specialist artisan pie that will be presented at its flagship St Pancras outlet to publicise the fundraise.

The pie will be baked by pie specialists Tom’s Pies, with the creator of the winning recipe given a free coffee and beer every week for a year as a prize. The public are invited to submit their recipes by emailing sliceofpie@sourcedfood.com

Those investing in the company will be invited to sample the winning pie, signaling the company’s desire to share its market-beating concept with investors large and small.

Ben O’Brien, Founder of Sourced Market, said:

“Since opening our flagship store in 2009 we have proved that our recession-beating and unique concept is very popular with discerning commuters, international travellers and local workers and residents alike and we currently serve 12,000 customers per week.

 “We’ve listened to our customers and ensured that high quality convenience products from local artisan producers stay at the very heart of our business. We’re now delighted to offer our most passionate customers and suppliers the chance to be part of our business as we expand.

“What’s more, our artisan pie competition will showcase some of the best ingredients on offer in the British Isles and we look forward to announcing the winner and the creation of the new pie in due course.”