... Leyland Market and Chorley Flat Iron in particular. I don't know if they can still compete with the likes of Abakhan and Immanuel's these days, . . .
Talking of biscuits... my former work colleagues became very partial to my regular treat of oat biscuits from Leyland Market which they fondly called my Lancashire biscuits. They never really got the taste for Goosnargh cakes (a very local speciality) but I miss those the most. Parched peas too.
@Marniesews Chorley Flat Iron is still there (and hopefully will be again after lockdown) although it is somewhat different with more permanent stalls compared with how it was 20years ago.
There is a useful haberdashery stall for fairly ordinary stuff, thread, buttons, zips, piping and general habby. Don't recall seeing a fabric stall there for some time.
For a while on Preston outdoor market there were a couple of fabric stalls, and the indoor market had another fabric stall but I suspect they've gone now, although I've not been for about 3 years now.
It's a place of last resort and very rare visits for me, but Abakhans at Preston is popular with some and there are/were some smaller fabric shops in the New Hall Lane and Ribbleton Lane Area - they were handy for the odd something different when I was working in Fullwood and Preston a while back.
Now I go to Immanuels and Fine Fabrics at Burnley and occasionally Greens at Blackburn (aka Leons). When it was open to the public we used to call in at Minervas at Darwen on the way back home from Burnely, but now they are on line only I buy very little from them if ever. Other than when I visit family in London or go to a couple of 'shows' , I tend to buy most other stuff on line.
As for Goosnargh Cakes - I've not seen or heard of them for a while. Bit like sugary shortbread with caraway seeds. Quite nice when fresh. There was a small bakery in Longridge that sold them and we'd have them occasionally at work, but we tended to prefer cakes from Lathams at Penwortham. As for parched peas (black peas for those who don't know them)- with or without vinegar, nope, no, not a fan, I never really took to those, even though both my parents loved them.
Glad to see you've joined us
@Queen Bee . I look forward to hearing about your sewing projects.