“Markets have existed for millennia and, historically, ensured the residents of towns and cities had access to affordable fresh food and other commodities. They have also acted as a key source of retail innovation… Markets were the retail nursery that created many of today’s multi-national retailers e.g. TESCO (Hackney, East London), Marks & Spencer (Leeds), and Morrison’s (Bradford). This innovation is still being displayed today through, for example, Farmers’ and Christmas markets.”
endeavours share is people coming together to buy, to sell, to meet, to share, to discover and enjoy each other’s company. It is the oldest type of commerce. But strangely, more than any other type of retailing, I believe markets can serve as fundamental traffic drivers back to our high streets. Let’s think about the Paris flea markets and German Christmas markets which bring people together. People coming together from every walk of life to sell, to share, to socialise.
Markets Alliance submission to The Portas Review
From food, fashion, homemade, second hand, organic, craft, gardening and flowers, car boot fairs and recycled goods; mixing up all these types of markets will bring 4. Establish a new “National Market Day” all types of people of every age group into the town. I saw for myself what a bustling, lively market can do for a town centre when I visited Rotherham. On a market stall people can try out their ideas and get their business booming without too much upfront cost. And it’s great for our town centres too, bringing in fresh ideas and products and preserving our nation’s cultural heritage to boot.
where budding shopkeepers can try their hand at operating a low-cost retail business
Would-be retailers – or simply talented people who have something to sell – should be using indoor and outdoor markets as a step on the business ladder. A “National Market Day” would promote markets and help to get them off the ground in our town
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