Love Your Local Harborough Market

Published Friday 10 May 2019

Harborough District Council is urging everyone to show Harborough Market and its traders a little love during Love Your Local Market fortnight.

Between 17 and 31 May 2019, markets all over the country will showcase their traders, celebrate their heritage, produce, crafts and food and will shine a spotlight on the important role that markets play in our towns.

Love your local market 2019

This year’s Love Your Local Market theme is ‘Close to Your Heart’.

Harborough Market is hoping that shoppers get behind their traders during the fortnight and come along to check out some of the newer businesses that are all thriving at the market and proving that the market is still a great place for start ups.

As part of the Love Your Local Market Campaign, Harborough Market will be offering young traders aged between 18 to 25 years old the opportunity to trade for free.

Mark Perris, head of economic development at Harborough District Council, said: “We are keen to support and encourage young entrepreneurs and traders. The market has great opportunities for small businesses. We are happy to offer a one off free stall to help young people test the waters during their business journey.”

The Market already operates a longer new starter scheme which offers 6 weeks free pop-up trading upon completion of an initial 6 week trading period, so there are lots of opportunities to sample first time trading at an affordable price.

Susan Mason, owner of Rural Trading highly recommends the new trader scheme; “A retail presence in Market Harborough was key to our business expansion so, after looking at options, we chose the Trader “Pop Up” Scheme on offer by Harborough District Council’s Market. Within 12 weeks we had no hesitation in making the market our permanent home. Being part of a community of traders is so beneficial, you get to support and bounce ideas off one another and access a conglomerate footfall you would not achieve if you worked in isolation.”

As part of the campaign Harborough District Council is also inviting children to come along to the market during May half-term on Thursday 30 May 2019, 11am to 2pm, for a free crafting event. Running alongside the weekly Craft Market, children will have opportunity to paint a plant pot and plant some sunflower seeds.

Harborough Market is open 8am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday for the popular Sunday Antiques Market. Anyone interested in trading at the market can email s.butt@harborough.gov.uk

Lutterworth Market is open on Thursdays.