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Newcastle’s historic market has been a focal point in the town since the 12th century, when trade first started to flourish in the area.

The market’s colourful stalls can still be seen six days a week, attracting shoppers from across the region.

Traditional stalls at the open-air market operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Antiques, collectables and memorabilia are on sale on Tuesday, while bric-a-brac is on offer on Thursday.

A farmers’ market has also been introduced on the third Friday of each month selling fresh wares including dairy produce, herbs and meat products.

Continental markets bringing a taste of Europe also take place on an occasional basis and have proved extremely popular with shoppers.

There are many hanging baskets, tubs and planters, which add to the pleasant market town feeling. A free, year-round programme of street entertainment has been introduced by the Council which adds an ambience aimed at making shopping more pleasurable.

Visitors will find a friendly, traffic-free atmosphere with lots of relaxing cafes, restaurants, tearooms, pubs and bars. A recent additional development in Newcastle is Castle Walk, a shopping street created by property developers St. Modwen which links the bustling Ironmarket with the refurbished bus station. The new shopping street has attracted a range of retailers, including Marks and Spencer, who have set up in Newcastle for the first time with a new-style food store.

Nearby is the Roebuck Shopping Centre which offers a convenient and friendly place to shop where most things for your home and garden can be picked up under one roof.

The enclosed shopping mall, which is on the High Street in the town centre adjacent to a multi-storey car park, is on the site of a former coaching inn, The Roebuck, from which the centre gets its name.

In 1792 it was described in a guide as ‘the largest inn in the town.’ The centre has more than 15 retail units and many are open six days a week.

Elsewhere, there are a range of stores and smaller, individual shops, all enhanced by the town’s award-winning Britain in Bloom floral displays.

The mainly pedestrianised town centre is also home to major supermarkets.

Just north of Newcastle at the junction of the main A34 and A500 at Talke is the Freeport shopping complex.

Freeport has more than 40 outlet shops to choose from offering huge reductions on a host of famous brands. There is also regular entertainment and live events all set within a unique mall environment.

Further north still is Kidsgrove, which has benefited from the opening of a large Tesco store and a new Aldi. There are also a large number of specialist shops providing an extensive range of goods and services.

Two miles to the east is the regional shopping centre of Hanley which is dominated by the Potteries Shopping Centre. Hanley also has all the high street names plus many independent retailers and a large, busy indoor market.