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Mission for Markets

But for many market operators the experience of engaging with the initiatives has encouraged them to consider creating their own schemes aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and developing talent in their communities. Operators must move quickly to deliver these schemes. For many local authority market officers the delivery of schemes will include working with a suite of departments and external agencies, especially in relation to access to financial support and peer-to-peer mentoring. This goes further than a regulatory model of market management. The benefits of running start-up schemes is evident but without active management and a strategy for the markets the retention rate of new entrants will be low. NABMA and the NMTF agree — it’s not the role of an operator to train a trader but to provide a platform for small businesses to thrive. SPECIALIST MARKET BOOM “Young people are entering the sector, but they’re just not trading on traditional markets – they’re on festivals, fairs and shows.” Field Support Officer, NMTF AGM In the 2015 survey, respondents identified hot and cold food and drink, baked goods, handmade crafts, fruit and vegetables and mobile phone accessories to be the most successful product lines. These new trends have fuelled the growth in temporary specialist markets. The rise of the street food sector epitomises this — these are markets operated by private companies and community groups that are run as events, including cultural attractions such as art, theatre and music. It is common for these events to be at weekends and in the evenings. These events also trade in social and cultural capital and have quickly become popular with a younger demographic. An article in The Telegraph newspaper cited mobile catering as one of the best businesses to start in 2014, alongside microbreweries and Victorianthemed businesses6. Festivals and shows are also on the up, increasing in size and frequency all over the UK. These are spectacular markets that confidently deliver an experience to huge crowds with waiting lists of traders jostling for a pitch. More festivals are even taking place out of the traditional season. CASE STUDY: Shelley Dixon, Daisy Daze, Fleetwood Market Shelley, 24, from Blackpool, Lancashire, was a nursery nurse before she entered a start-up scheme in 2013 at Fleetwood Market to launch her “shabby chic” gifts and home furnishings business, Daisy Daze. “Before Daisy Daze began I had no experience of market trading whatsoever, but First Pitch has helped my business go from strength to strength. The advice from my mentor and support from the market manager has been extremely valuable.” After 12 months of trading at Fleetwood Market, Shelley had doubled the size of Daisy Daze, was helping her dad run a DIY stall and was heavily involved with the market’s traders’ association. In 2015, Shelley left Fleetwood Market to open a shop on Coronation Street in Blackpool, also attending craft fairs and country shows during the summer months. Shelley strongly believes skills crafted on Fleetwood Market have prepared her for running a shop. More information about Shelley and Daisy Daze can be found at http://bit.ly/M4Mnxg1 CASE STUDY: Sean Clarke, Beer Central, Sheffield Moor Market Sean Clarke, 48, and Deborah Jackson, 42, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, left careers in teaching and tourism to launch a specialist beers business on Sheffield’s Moor Market in 2013, Beer Central. Sean and Deborah sold their house to finance the start-up and were supported by subsidised rent in the new market for the first year of trading. “We enjoy being on the market because it’s convenient for the public to get to and we enjoy the market atmosphere and the relationship with other traders. The capital outlay isn’t massive for a market business.” Sean and Deborah pride themselves on delivering an exceptionally high level of customer service. Through social media they are developing a nationwide reputation and sell products all over the UK. As well as supplying specialist beers, they also sell mini kegs, beer glasses and merchandise such as t-shirts and real ale guides. More information about Beer Central can be found at http://bit.ly/M4Mnxg2 15


Mission for Markets
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