People across County Durham are being encouraged to support their local market – and even consider setting up their own stall.
Durham County Council is backing the national Love Your Market campaign, which runs until the end of this month. Organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities, the initiative aims to promote and support market traders around the country.
The county council licences nine markets around County Durham:
- Barnard Castle, marketplace – Wednesday, from 8am to 4.30pm
- Bishop Auckland, marketplace – Thursday and Saturday, from 8am to 5pm
- Chester-le-Street, marketplace – Tuesday, Friday and Saturday , from 8am to 5.30pm
- Consett, Middle Street – Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 8am to 4pm
- Crook, marketplace – Tuesday and Saturday, from 8am to 5pm
- Durham, marketplace – Saturday, from 9am to 4pm
- Seaham, Church Street – Friday, from 8am to 4pm
- Spennymoor, Festival Walk – Saturday, from 8am to 4pm
- Stanley, Front Street – Thursday and Saturday from 8am to 4pm
As well as promoting the locations, days of times of the county’s street markets, the council is also encouraging retailers, entrepreneurs and producers to consider running their own stall.
The authority’s Revitalising Street Markets initiative, which is currently running as a pilot project in Chester-le-Street and Stanley, offers a 50 per cent financial contribution towards the cost of equipment including a stall and sheeting and the insurances needed in order to trade.
Existing market traders can also take advantage of the same level of financial support when purchasing a new stall or equipment.
Jackie Donnelly, Durham County Council’s community economic development team leader, said: “Markets provide a low-risk, low-cost opportunity for business start-ups, entrepreneurs and online businesses to market-test their products.
“For shoppers, they offer a range of products they can’t find on the high street and, in some cases, the chance to buy direct from the producer.”
For more information about Love Your Market and Revitalising Street Markets email CED@durham.gov.uk