Exciting new opportunity for local market stallholders

27 Oct 2023

West Suffolk Council is thrilled to announce three new and exciting deals tailored exclusively for local market stallholders. These offers are set to support traders to thrive and flourish, whilst making it more accessible for aspiring stallholders to participate in our markets.

Markets are a big part of community life in West Suffolk with weekly markets in Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Newmarket and Mildenhall, and a monthly market in Clare.

New traders can benefit from the following initiatives:

• Free trading for 12 weeks – stallholders can trade at markets in Brandon, Newmarket, Haverhill and Mildenhall for 12 weeks at no cost. This offer is ideal for entrepreneurs wanting to experience trading at a market or testing out new products. 
• Bury St Edmunds mid-week market pass – traders can pay £60 for 12 consecutive weeks to trade at any available space at the Bury St Edmunds Wednesday market. This offer is ideal for new business owners wanting to build their customer base at a thriving market with strong community support.
• Trade for a tenner in The Traverse – stallholders can trade for £10 per pitch at the Bury St Edmunds Wednesday market in The Traverse area only. This offer is ideal for small new market stalls who are looking for a low cost, flexible trading option. This offer can be extended on a flexible and causal basis if the stallholder wishes.

Traders can use a combination of offers to suit their business’ needs. All market pitches must be booked in advance and are subject to availability and suitability. Existing traders can use offers at markets that they do not currently trade at.

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Cabinet Member for Growth at West Suffolk Council said: “West Suffolk is a vibrant area to live and work, and a dynamic, attractive market is part of that fabric. There are great advantages of having a market stall in West Suffolk, such as trading in a safe market environment that meets health and safety requirements, as well as having the opportunity to turn passions and hobbies into a source of income. Becoming a market stallholder and using these fantastic offers allows the potential for financial success as well as the chance to be part of a vibrant and diverse community of businesses owners in West Suffolk.”

Market stalls typically have lower overhead costs compared to traditional retails spaces, making it a cost-effective way to start a business for either part-time or full-time entrepreneurs.

As part of our ongoing review to make the markets more vibrant and recognising the pressures on stallholders, West Suffolk Council will be announcing further initiatives in the coming months for our market locations across the district.

For more information, please contact our markets development officer at economic.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk or visit our website: West Suffolk Markets - Traders.

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