Residents and visitors to the East Riding are being encouraged to visit their local market as part of the national Love Your Local Market Campaign, from Wednesday, 15 to Wednesday, 29 May.
The East Riding is home to several fine markets, including two in Beverley, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in Bridlington, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in Cottingham and Driffield, on Thursdays, in Goole, Wednesdays through to Saturdays, and in Pocklington, on Tuesdays, and has a long and proud tradition of market trading spanning back centuries.
Beverley is one of England’s finest examples of a medieval town and at its heart sits Saturday Market. For centuries stall holders have traded their wares from around the impressive Market Cross.
The town was granted its market charter in the 13th Century. Its market on Saturdays is regularly occupied by over 100 stalls, selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to locally-produced meats, home-baked confectionary, arts, crafts and gifts and household items.
Saturday Market falls twice during the two weeks of the Love Your Local Market Campaign, so why not visit on Saturday, 18 and 25 May.
Beverley’s Wednesday Market, situated towards the southern end of the main pedestrian area, holds a smaller collection of stalls and adds to the vibrancy of the town, with the backdrop of the majestic Beverley Minster.
Wednesday Market takes place three times during the two weeks of the Love Your Local Market Campaign, on 15, 22 and 29 May and also on Saturday Market days.
Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economy, investment and inequalities, said: “The economy of the East Riding is diverse and our local markets play an important role within it.
“Our area has a rich history when it comes to market trading and is proud to be supporting the national Love Your Local Market campaign, which provides an opportunity for us to support and celebrate our local markets in the East Riding.
“Markets offer a social hub for people to purchase goods and services while also enjoying a cup of coffee and a conversation with friends.
“I would urge all our residents and of course visitors to the area to go down to their local market and see what is on offer.”
John Dyson, a local market trader and vice-chair of the National Market Traders Federation, said: “Markets play an important role in communities and Love Your Local Market will help raise our profile and remind people that we are still here.”
If anyone has an idea for a business that they would like to explore further they can contact any of the East Riding business centres for free business advice and make an appointment to see a business advisor.