Saturday 23rd June 2012
Pictures of Eric Pickles and Adam Corbally courtesy of www.nabma.com



Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is calling on people to show their support for high street shopping by visiting their local market on National Market Day (23rd June).

Today's events will formally mark the start of a nationwide two-week 'Love Your Local Market' extravaganza.

Over 300 local markets will be offering special deals and events to attract new shoppers and encourage budding entrepreneurs to start up new businesses by trying out what is a low-cost way to get into retail.

Mr Pickles and Apprentice star, Adam Corbally launched the fortnight at Spitalfields market in London where they met young entrepreneurs from local schools trying their hand at running a market stall and selling their craft goods.


Eric Pickles talks to London students at the Spitalfield's Market launch of 'Love Your Local Market's fortnight

Adam Corbally, formally a market-trader and now a successful businessman, has given his top ten tips for running a market stall. Tips include: get there early; set up near a cafe or toilet for more footfall; get your prices right; and remember smiles and tales make sales. They are part of a new guide to 'Getting Started' as a market trader.

Mr Pickles has urged every council to get behind this 'exciting opportunity' to support the high street and local economy. The Government has committed over £80 million to give young entrepreneurs start-up loans, personal training and expert support to develop a business plan. This could to create over 30,000 new businesses.


Chesterfield's historic market

Eric Pickles said: "The hustle and bustle of a busy market has long been a great British tradition. Brimming with energetic traders and great deals, local markets should be a vibrant part of every town's shopping experience.

" 'Love Your Local Market' is going to be a really exciting fortnight for towns and villages across the country - it's a great way to put local economic life back into the high street. Over a thousand new entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the special rates on offer to try out their business ideas."

Adam Corbally said: "I am really passionate about markets and proud to support this fantastic Love Your Local Market fortnight.

"My top tips come from the heart and are based on 14 years of trading. They're a straightforward and simple way to do it right - the kind of advice I wish I'd been given when I started out.

"I hope as many people as possible get stuck in and have a go at running a stall - if I can make it a career, so can you! Either way, head down to your local market and see what's on offer."

Minister for Markets Andrew Stunell said: "From Stockport to St. Ives, market traders across the country will be showcasing all that is great about our local markets. Some of Britain's biggest household names started off on market stalls and Love Your Local Market could be the fortnight that kick starts a few more budding British businesses."

First announced as part of the Government's response to Mary Portas' review of the High Street, the Love Your Local Markets fortnight is being run by the National Market Trader Federation and the Markets Alliance.

Graham Wilson, Chief Executive of National Association of British Markets Authorities said: "Markets provide excellent opportunities for new start businesses and I delighted that so many markets have responded to Mary Portas' proposal for a National Market Day. Love Your Local Market and National Market Day will also provide markets with the chance to demonstrate their value to the local communities they serve and we are going to see lots of celebration and innovation during the fortnight of the campaign."

Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of the National Market Traders Federation added: "This is a great initiative to get more people trading on markets, and is an excellent way for them to dip their toes into our industry.It's in line with what Mary Portas recommended in her review,and puts a deserved focus on retail markets, which are at the heart of town and city centres.

"The campaign reinforces what the federation is doing to encourage entrepreneurs to set up in businesses on markets by producing a comprehensive training guide for first-timers. Also it's not about taking a job, but about creating one, and that is something I am sure the Government wholeheartedly supports."

Apprentice star Adam Corbally (left) started out as market-trader in his hometown of Glossop, Derbyshire, and now runs a successful wholesale and retail fruit and veg business and manages his own property portfolio.

Here are his top ten tips for market stall start-ups:

1. The early bird catches the worm. Get there early, get set up and be prepared.
   
   
2. Get the best pitch. As crazy as this may sound, always pitch near the toilet or the cafe, people generally visit both on a market; if you're near them, you'll get the footfall. If you are casual, then get the best pitch you can and then you can always work your way up, respect that some traders will have been there for years.
   
   
3. Setting up to sell. Always judge your pitch from 25ft away, not stood at it. If it doesn't look right from afar, people won't feel invited to have a look around.
   
   
4. There is no such thing as bad weather, it's just not dressing for bad weather. Wrap up and always have waterproofs at the ready. A comfy trader is a happy trader. Don't forget about the good weather either, sunhat and sunscreen are a must, people forget that the English sun is the same as the Spanish sun.
   
   
5. Float. Never overlook the importance of having a healthy float at the start of the day, if you start running around looking for change, you will lose sales.
   
   
6. Things to remember: Bungee cords (You will see what I mean once you start trading), Bags (For customers to take away from the stall), and Cash Till/Box/Pouch (You'll always need somewhere to keep your money)
   
   
7. Get your pricing right. People go to a market for a bargain; make sure you have everything priced clearly. I personally like a deal when I'm on a market, on the flip side I never walk away from a sale.
   
   
8. Sales. If you are selling something and you believe in it, you will sell it - trust me and remember to smile, smiles make sales. Simple!
   
   
9. Connect, talk to people. Tales makes sales, find common ground and relate to people. If people want a robot, they will go to a supermarket.
   
   
10. Network. Talk to other traders. Introduce yourself, give/receive 'traders' discount, discuss other markets and learn from one another.  Remember it is not what you do, it's how you do it, and if you do it right, you will get results.

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