Market trading
Our markets are a huge part of community life and take place in Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Newmarket, Mildenhall and Clare. There are great advantages of having a market stall in West Suffolk:
- a safe market trading environment that meets health and safety requirements
- casual pitches to test out your products
- few overheads
- opportunity to be part of a lively business community
- opportunity to talk to customers directly
- thriving and regular markets with strong community support
When markets are held
Weekly markets are held in the following towns:
- Brandon - Thursdays 8.30am to 1pm
- Bury St Edmunds - Wednesdays and Saturdays 9am to 4pm
- Clare - third Saturday of the month 8.30am - 1.30pm
- Haverhill - Fridays and Saturdays 8am to 4pm
- Mildenhall - Friday 9am to 3pm
- Newmarket - Tuesdays and Saturdays 9am to 3pm
How to get a pitch
Contact our markets development officer in the first instance to talk about your products and we will discuss what you need in order to trade. If there is a space for your stall, then you will need to complete a new West Suffolk markets trader application form. You will also need to follow all of our rules and regulations: West Suffolk Council Market Licence Regulations.
Casual trader - what you need to do
You can trade for 12 weeks without a licence, after this you can apply to become a permanent trader.
To trade on a casual basis please email: economic.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Starting a new business
If you are starting a new business, you may like to look at our start up guide designed specifically for trading on a West Suffolk market: Market business start-up guidance
Rules and regulations
To trade on our markets you will need to know, and follow, our rules and regulations. Some of the main considerations are:
- you will need insurance for your stall
- you will need to comply with all relevant laws and regulations including child protection, right to work and health and safety laws
- you will need to provide your own stall that is safe, clean and in good condition
- you won't be able to pack up your stall if the weather is bad, as a trader you are committed to providing a service during market opening hours
Prices for pitches
Prices are calculated on the basis of the size of your frontage. The price you pay per day is per foot of your frontage.
The footage rate varies between towns and some towns have more than one tier. There may also be additional charges for use of electricity or vehicles. These charges will be added to your daily price.
We offer discounts and free trial periods at certain markets for certain types of products. Please contact our markets development officer to discuss further.
| Location | Market days | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon | Thursdays | £0.70 per foot |
| Bury St Edmunds | Wednesdays and Saturdays | pitches in better locations pay higher rates
|
| Haverhill | Fridays and Saturdays |
|
| Mildenhall | Fridays | £1.50 per foot |
| Newmarket | Tuesdays and Saturdays | £1.40 per foot electricity supply charge £2.50 |
Insurance is needed
All traders must hold a third party public liability insurance policy. Currently the minimum value of a policy required by the councils is £5 million.
Please contact our Markets Development Officer if you need details on insurance policies available.
Waste collection
Waste collection is included and is collected during the day. We collect cardboard recycling separately from general waste.
Health and safety rules
In order to keep traders and members of the public safe, we require you to follow certain health and safety rules. You will be able to find the full rules in our rules and regulations document.
The main points are:
- you are expected to keep your stall safe and clean
- you are required to provide a full risk assessment
- you must only drive vehicles during set-up and close-down hours, with hazard lights on and at a speed of no more than 5mph.
Rules about trading food
If you trade food products on a market you must comply with food licensing rules and hygiene standards, like all other food businesses. All stalls must have a minimum rating of 3 stars or above. You are required to register your food business with your local authority environmental health team. For more information on food regulation and hygiene standards visit the food health and safety section of our website.
For further advice on food licensing or hygiene matters, please contact the food team. food&safety@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Charities can have stalls
Charities can take advantage of special prices for pitches at our markets. Charities must book stalls in advance with our markets team, as there are a limited number of charity pitches available at each market. Charities are limited to two pitches per year.
The special charity rates are:
- Brandon and Mildenhall charity stalls can trade for free
- Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket charity stalls special day rate £10
- Haverhill charity stalls special day rate £5
For more information please email economic.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 01284 757093.