East Riding of Yorkshire Council is encouraging residents and visitors to the area to support local markets as part of the national Love Your Local Market campaign, which runs from Wednesday, 13 to Wednesday, 27 May.
Existing and emerging markets across the East Riding will be running during the fortnight and throughout May.
Now in its fourth year, Love Your Local Market celebrates the important role markets play in their local communities and town centres, aims to attract new people to take up market trading and boost the number of people visiting markets.
The East Riding is home to several fine market towns and has a long and proud tradition of market trading spanning back centuries.
There are several weekly markets, including two in Beverley, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in Bridlington the market is on Saturdays, in Cottingham, on Thursdays, in Driffield, also on Thursdays, in Goole, on Wednesdays through to Saturdays, and in Pocklington on Tuesdays.
Other markets include several monthly community and farmers’ markets in Hornsea, Hessle, South Cave and, more recently, a monthly food market in Beverley on Wednesdays.
Each of the markets has a variety of stalls selling a wide range of goods and services, often locally-sourced or produced, including food and drink, gifts, arts and crafts, clothing, curtains and bedding, baby wear and pet supplies amongst others.
Markets also provide consumers with the opportunity to meet traders face-to-face. With most market places now enjoying the benefits of new seating, customers can also take the time to stop and relax and enjoy
the hustle and bustle of the market.
Jane Crossley, renaissance programme manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The council is proud to once again be supporting the national Love Your Local Market Campaign, which is a great opportunity to focus on the important role our local markets have on their communities.
“Recently, more specialist markets have been emerging, such as vintage and food complimenting the successful High Street investments in our market towns through the East Riding High Street Fund.
“Markets play an important role in our local economy and are part of the area’s rich history, with most of our weekly markets dating back hundreds of years.
“Markets aren’t just a place to purchase goods and services; they have a social element as well, providing a place for people to get together to enjoy a cup of coffee and a conversation.
“Love Your Local Market provides an excellent opportunity to promote and celebrate our markets in the East Riding, both locally and nationally, and we would urge all residents and visitors to the area to go down and see what their local market has to offer.”
John Dyson, a local market trader and National Market Traders Federation President-Elect, said:
“Markets are important to communities and Love Your Local Market will help raise our profile and gives a much deserved boost to our local markets
“The East Riding has many success stories in terms of markets and we are looking at ways to attract more customers and extend our markets to encourage new traders and increase existing trade.
“If you have a good idea for a market stall and are thinking of becoming a trader leases are reasonable and the older traders are always prepared to offer advice and guidance.”
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.
