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, from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 29 May.
Now in its second year, the Love Your Local Market campaign celebrates the important role local markets play in their respective communities and town centres and aims to attract new people to take up market trading.
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.
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 customers with the opportunity to meet traders face-to-face and, with most 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.
Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economic development, tourism and rural issues at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Markets play an important role in the East Riding 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.
“The council is proud to be supporting the national Love Your Local Market campaign and to use this opportunity to promote and celebrate our markets in the East Riding.
“We would urge all our 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 vice-chair of National Market Traders Federation, said: “Markets are important to communities and Love Your Local Market will help raise our profile and remind people that we are still here.
“The East Riding does really well in terms of markets and we are looking at ways to attract more customers, including events such as the World Food Café demonstrations at Pocklington Market on Tuesday, 21 and 28 May.
“If you have a good idea for a market stall and are thinking of becoming a trader, just go for it. 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.
