Over the past few years town centres have been crippled by retail park giants, and our local traders have struggled to compete with the massive 24 hour supermarkets. This has resulted in a steady decline in people shopping locally.
On 17th May 2011 the Prime Minister announced that he had asked genius retail marketing consultant, Mary Portas to complete a comprehensive review of the state of the high street. One of the actions that came from this report was Love Your Local Market. It kicks off off with National Market Day on 23rd June and runs for a fortnight until 8th July.
Why is it so important?
According to the Government Department for Business, Innovation and Skills:
'High streets are a very visible indicator of how well a local community and economy is thriving. They are recognised as important hubs of social interaction and providers of employment and local commerce'I know many of you own small businesses and even more of you shop with them. Some of you create or cook purely for pleasure. This is your chance to show some support to your community and perhaps get involved! Bolton Market have really taken the bull by the horns, and embraced Love Your Local Market fortnight. Not only have they planned some fantastic events, but they are giving you (yes, even you) a chance to taste life as a trader and bring some community spirit back to Bolton. I am writing this post because I was so impressed with their passion!
Events
There will be some fantastic events over the fortnight, including cookery demonstrations from Simon Rimmer! There will also be the chance to ask The Apprentice's semi-finalist Adam Corbally all about setting up your own business. The events are absolutely free, but are on a first come, first served basis - so don't miss out!
Here is a list of the events they have planned so far:
| Date and time | Details |
|---|---|
| Saturday 23rd June 10am-4pm | National Market Day Celebrity chef Simon Rimmer will officially launch the Love your Local Market Fortnight in Bolton and participate in cookery demonstrations in the town centre and at Bolton Market. Market stalls will be located along Deansgate and there’ll also be street style entertainment acts performing within the town centre. |
| Sunday 24th June 10am-2pm | Bolton Local Produce Market at Queen’s Park |
| Monday 25th- Friday 29th June 10am-4pm | Love Your Local Marketcontinues with a variety of stalls on Victoria Square |
| Saturday 30th June | Love Your Local Market at Farnworthadditional stalls located along Brakley Street |
| Saturday 7th July | Love your Local Market at Westhoughton. additional stalls located along Market Street |
 |
| Simon Rimmer will be visiting Bolton's Love Your Local Market fortnight to do free cookery demos |
This event is about getting involved, either as a shopper or a trader.
Become a Trader
Ever fancied selling your home made goods? Already a business but want to be part of it? Pitches are just £10 (really... just ten British notes!) to trade for the day on the pop up market on Deansgate, or £5 at Westhoughton or Farnworth markets. It's easy as pie, all you need is something to sell! Unfortunately, livestock is banned... so you can't sell your children. Or your husband.
The closing date to book a pitch is 17th June, so get your skates on!
More Information
Guidance notes for traders
Trader application form
Come and Shop!
Shoppers are just as important as traders, so ditch the branded behemoths - come and see a cookery demonstration and support the high street by buying local.
Contact Details
Telephone: 01204 333612
Email: bolton.markets@bolton.gov.uk
Web: Bolton Market
Please share this article on Google, Twitter, Facebook and shout it from the rooftops!
Join in on Twitter @loveurlocalmkt and @BoltonMarkets.
Some other lovely folk already involved: @SignatureSoapsL, @All_You_Knead, @TheAdamCorbally and @SimonRim.
LOVE the idea, would even consider travelling to bolton to take part! they should do things like this in london too
ReplyDeleteCome and join us!!! I'm sure there will be an event locally too. Check out the web link in the post to the Love Your Local Market website x
DeleteWhat a great idea. Well done Bolton Markets for supporting it so well. I've just applied for a stall to sell sweet themed gifts and pick and mix - the form was really easy to fill out (no excuses not to get involved, whether you want to sell or buy!)
ReplyDeleteAnd it's a bargain at £10 / £5! I've never traded on a Market Stall before - better start practising my patter - hopefully The Apprentice's Adam Corbally can help!
Brilliant idea! I also love Bolton market too, I always forget how amazing it is every time I go! Always something there to impress me!
ReplyDeleteFantastic, just wish other local authorities were as forward thinking !
ReplyDeleteBolton always put on a good show! The food festival in August is fantastic too!
DeleteIt'd be fantastic to have such enthusiastic folk involved with this event and showcase your crafts, baking etc. We can't ensure fantastic weather but you'll get a really warm welcome :-)
ReplyDeleteHailing originally from Wigan I love a good Market so well done Bolton, this sounds great! Now residing in the south west, I enjoy the monthly Farmers' Market at the University of Exeter (where I work) and often pick up ingredients from there. It's really convenient to just nip there on my lunch break and I'm very keen to support local suppliers - everyone's a winner!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time visiting your blog and I think that your blog is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis post is very informative but too bad for me that I can't visit any of these markets... Your Euro soccer stadium cake looks so cute and very impressive. I would love to follow your blog to see more of your creations in the future.
Hi Zoe! Thank you very much! I hope you enjoy my future posts x
DeleteGreat post. I am a passionate believer in shopping locally and supporting small independents. We've been lucky enough to win one of the Mary Portas awards here in Liskeard, so I really hope we can make a bit of a difference.
ReplyDeleteBolton Market has some pretty ace people managing it. They've won all sorts of awards! We're very lucky x
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