Hot Spot: Explosive new market

Newtown has acquired a perky new market and, by the look of it, the CBD's ugly duckling may be on the verge of becoming a swan.

One would think, given its name, that finding The Sheds at Fox 1 would be as simple as punching 1 Fox Street into your GPS, but doing so would lead you to a large black gate reminiscent of something from a JRR Tolkien novel. Instead, like all good markets, it requires a touch of geographical nous to realise that it is not on Fox Street at all.

The interior of Sheds at Fox 1 boasts one thing that neither of its two sisters in Braamfontein and Maboneng have - space. Its high-roofed former warehouse interior is large enough to comfortably seat the entire officer corps of the terracotta army.

The premises possess the rakish charm that only a formerly dilapidated building bearing the words ''high explosive loading area" on the doors could have. But the interior is clean, inviting and altogether rather appealing.

Artisanal food stalls abound in the cavernous hallways, with everything from traditional Polish meats and homemade health smoothies to Afro-Thai spring rolls, tacos and a wide range of craft beers. Other stalls sell children's clothing, hair care products and flowers.

Though it officially only opened on October 2, The Sheds at Fox 1 seems ready to compete with its bigger, more established siblings, and being the new market that used to house old explosives may just be the magic spell that turns Newtown into the belle of the ball.

• The Sheds at Fox 1 is open every Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm