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Market traders speak positively about the new Blackburn market

“Looking forward to getting on with the move….”

“I’m so excited, I can’t wait…”

“We’re ready to go for it…”

These are the views of just some of the traders who are looking forward to relocating to the new £8m Blackburn market.

The count down has begun to the new Blackburn market which is due to open in Spring 2011. It will be first continental style market in the country and based within the heart of the new £66m Mall shopping centre.

A meeting was held between the Council and traders at King George’s Hall on Wednesday evening and was hailed as a “positive and productive.”

Andrew Hartley, from The Octagon: Greetings cards, gifts and balloons, said: “It’s time to put up or shut up really. The choice is to either go for it, or start looking for something else. We obviously want to carry on so we’re positive and looking forward to getting on with the move.

“We still need to sort out the details; see what kind of full fit out we’re getting, but we’re eager to get going. It’s obviously going to be an upheaval but, in the long run, we’re hoping our business will be all the better for it.”

Clare Gaskin, from Wellbread, said: “I’m so excited. I can’t wait. I think it’s the right time to get out of the old building and into a new one. It should be done up really well and will look fantastic. It will definitely boost our business. We’ll be able to offer a lot more options to our customers and different lines. It’s all going to be new but I’m very excited.”

Keith Pickup, from Pickups Butchers Ltd, said: “There have been some very positive recent discussions with the Council which have helped to calm the nerves. The situation has been explained really well and a lot of the traders seem very positive. It’s going to be a massive change but it’s a challenge and we’ve got to give it a go. With the help from the Council we’re ready to go for it.”

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “I am glad that the meeting was a very positive and productive one. It was an opportunity for us to talk to traders about the timetable for the move and how to apply for a stall.

“We are looking forward to the opening of the new market – it will be a real asset to the town and be a market fit for the 21st century. We are not standing still in Blackburn, we are moving with the times. We have embodied all the aspects of modern market trading and principles that have not been seen before.”
The Council has worked in partnership with the Mall to create a modern home for the town’s market on the ground floor of the new three storey shopping centre.

It will offer high quality food and non-food stalls and replace the former three day and six day market which dates back to the 1906s and is falling down.

The new market and shopping centre will provide a major shopping boost for the borough, making it the retail centre of Pennine Lancashire.

Funding of £1.5 million has been allocated for the equipment fit-out and the traders will be able to choose their own purpose-built stalls, counter and display walls.

The relocation of the market will free up one of the largest development sites in the town centre which the Council is already working hard to maximise the potential of this site for a major new mixed development.

For further information about the new market, log onto www.blackburn.gov.uk

For further information contact communications officer Lucie Higham on (01254) 585777 or email lucie.higham@blackburn.gov.uk

Organisers at Catterick Sunday Market are putting the ‘Ma’ back into ‘Market’ with a special event in their Big Top this Sunday.

The ‘Mother’s Day Jam’ is a loose, live jam with Mothers in mind. If your Ma is more Jam ‘n’ Spoon than Jam & Jerusalem then she’s bound to appreciate the chilled out vibes, low level seating and Mothers’ Day mix in the Big Top, not to mention the delicious drinks and her favourite Sunday bargains!

Treat your ma and bring her to the market! Sunday 14 March 10:00 – 4:00. www.cattericksundaymarket.co.uk

source: Guardian

BUDDING entrepreneurs could be given the chance to kick-start their business careers thanks to a new competition.

People from across Redbridge could win six month’s rent-free trading space at their nearest market, as part of the Make Your Mark in the Markets contest, run by Enterprise UK, an organisation which aims to help people into self-employment.

This year’s competition has been split into two categories: the first for entrepreneurs who have been trading for less than six months, and the second for those looking to expand an existing, but still relatively young, business.

One shortlisted applicant per market will win up to 10 day’s free trading to prove that their product or service has what it takes to cut it in a real trading environment.

Judges will visit each stall to assess sales, customer feedback and presentation before choosing two national winners, who will receive the top prize of six month’s free trading, £1,000 towards stock, free National Market Traders Federation membership and a business starter pack that provides everything hey will need to hit the ground running.

Graham Wilson, CEO of the National Association of British Market Authorities, said: “The markets industry desperately needs to recruit new traders, and the Make Your Mark in the Markets initiative is an excellent way of raising the profile of markets, while attracting new entrepreneurs as market traders.

“Last year we launched a successful competition and we are hoping that this year we will attract even more applicants, and make the markets an attractive place to start new businesses.”

For more information and to enter the competition, visit www.enterpriseuk.org/markets before March 22.

Market traders throughout the borough will enjoy a six week discount in their stall rent thanks to Walsall Council.

The boost will help Walsall market in the town centre, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall markets during a traditionally quieter trading time of year.

The rent reduction will start on Monday 1 February and will run for six weeks until Saturday 13 March, to help during what is called the “Kipper Months.”

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: ?Our markets play an important role in the borough?s economy as well as in the day-to-day lives of our communities.

?This rent reduction is a practical way of helping out stallholders during their most challenging trading time and represents the equivalent of a ?10,000 investment in the markets.

?In these difficult economic times shoppers want to be sure of value for money and good service. These principles drive our borough markets as they look forward to serving Walsall borough for many more years to come.?

Walsall market has 100 stalls and trades on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 9am and 5pm.

Brownhills market trades between 9am and 4pm on Saturdays.

Bloxwich market is open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am until 4pm.

Darlaston market is open Friday and Saturday from 9am until 4pm and Willenhall market is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9.30am until 4pm.