Government Backs Love Your Local Market

The Markets industry was taken by surprise at the Nabma January Seminar when Communities Minister The Rt Hon Don Foster MP outlined the Government’s support for the 2013 Love your Local Market scheme with significant financial support .

The Minister began by acknowledging that the last few years have been a tricky time for markets and his department have been keen to help the sector meet the challenge. The Minister acknowledged that over the last two years help had been provided but in the absence of finance. The Minister paid tribute to Nabma for its endeavours in Love your Local Market and presented the Nabma President, Council Mrs. Geraldine Carter with a cheque for £25,000 with the aim of helping Nabma help turn the passing interest of a wannabe trader into a fulfilling career.

The Nabma President, Councillor Mrs. Geraldine Carter admitted that Nabma was stunned by the presentation.
“We are overwhelmed by this generous support from Government. This is a huge endorsement for the work that we have been carrying out and clearly shows that we are making an impact with our commitment and investment. Love your Local Market 2013 will now be even bigger and better”.

Nabma Chief Executive, Graham  Wilson OBE, told MTN, " Love Your Local Market provided a great boost to the markets last year with research showing that markets that took part experienced a 10% increase in footfall. With the government's financial backing and support from our headline sponsor Radfords, we aim to make it bigger and better this year. Every market in the country should be getting involved"

Also at the conference, Nabma delegates were overwhelmed with a presentation by Joe and Tom Barrett, the creators of the Stockport Teenage Market.

The Teenage Market was described as a creative space for young people to connect and collaborate in, giving a platform to young creative entrepreneurs who become market traders for the day as they sell their products to customers.  It also gives young performers, musicians, singer songwriters, dancers etc the chance to show their skills to an audience.  The first even was held in April 2012.

The young people have developed a very positive relationship with Stockport Market and also Stockport Council.
Over 70 applicants were received for the first market and 20 local musicians wanted a platform to showcase their own talent.

The event has attracted huge media interest and importantly thousands of people visiting the Teenage Market on the day.