South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership bring forward huge array of initiatives to support markets in Boston, East Lindsey & South Holland this summer

Posted on 1 May 2024

The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership are set to bring forward a huge array of initiatives to support markets across the sub-region this summer, aiming to grow the profile of existing traders, support young market traders and increase market-related footfall in Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland. 

Firstly, all three authorities have signed up to take part in the National Market Traders Federation's 'Young Traders Market 2024' campaign. The events will offer young entrepreneurs from across South and East Lincolnshire the chance to showcase their creative products and talents.

The Young Traders Market Competition will feature over 300 contestants from across the UK, in an effort to attract new blood into the retail markets industry. Held on:

• Saturday 25 May - Spalding.
• Saturday 1 June - Boston.
• Saturday 1 June - Louth.

Each local heat will run from 10am until 2pm, alongside the usual market, with a variety of stalls offering a diverse and attractive range of goods, services and fresh local produce.

Young trader contestants have to be aged between 16 and 30 years old, with the chance to qualify for the regional final in Bury St Edmunds in July and then potentially the national final in Stratford-upon-Avon in August, to compete for a top prize of £500! Applications can be sent at: https://www.nmtf.co.uk/campaigns/young-traders-market-application.

Next, each authority will be taking part in the The National Association of British Market Authorities' 'Love Your Local Market' campaign. A two-week celebration of the important role markets play within local communities, held from Friday 17 May till Saturday 1 June.

'Love Your Local Market' is designed to give new traders the opportunity to try out running a market stall, to raise the profile of existing market traders, and to encourage local residents in Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland to visit their local market and see the wide range of products available.

On top of this two-week celebration, each Council have drafted a range of further incentives to attract new traders to the area. New regular traders in Boston who stand for four consecutive markets will receive the next four completely free.

Whilst new regular traders at markets in East Lindsey (Spilsby, Horncastle and Louth) will receive free public liability insurance for eight markets days and those who stand for four consecutive markets will receive the next four completely free. Meanwhile in South Holland, new market traders who stand for four consecutive markets will also receive the next four completely free.

Additionally, throughout the 'Love Your Local Market' period, residents in each area will be invited to vote for their favourite market trader. The winners of last year's competition in Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland respectively were: Kelly Coombs of Brandon Fruits, Amanda Brown of Glass Designs, Julie Newman of Sizzling Grill.

There can be many reasons for voting for your favourite trader, it could be the one who consistently provides high quality goods, always greets you with a smile, has gone the extra mile, or you simply because you believe they deserve the title.

The final initiative, The Teenage Market will be carried out across the sub-region, giving young traders and performers from the local area a unique opportunity to showcase their creative products and talents for free.

The Teenage Market is a fast-growing nationwide initiative set up by teenage brothers Joe and Tom Barratt in Stockport to transform our town and city centres with the creativity of young people. Held on:

• Saturday 4 May - Horncastle
• Saturday 18 May - Spalding
• Saturday 18 May - Spilsby
• Saturday 25 May - Boston
• Saturday 1 June - Louth
• Saturday 29 June - Boston
• Saturday 27 July - Boston
• Saturday 10 August - Horncastle
• Saturday 24 August - Louth
• Saturday 14 September - Spilsby

Getting involved in The Teenage Market could not be simpler. Simply create your trader or performer profile on the Teenage Market website and then apply to take part.

Councillor Dale Broughton, Deputy Leader of Boston Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Markets, East Lindsey District Councillor Adam Grist, Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and Tracey Carter, Deputy Leader of South Holland District Council and Portfolio Holder for Communities said: "We're pleased to see such a huge amount of effort from Officers across the three authorities to support local markets across the sub-region.

"The summer months ahead are crucial for many traders as the days are longer and residents become more likely to visit town centres and purchase some of the fantastic products on offer. As a partnership it is our ambition to support our existing and prospective market traders as much as we can; these initiatives will go a long way to doing just that".

To apply to take part In the 2024 Young Traders Market Campaign, please visit: https://www.nmtf.co.uk/campaigns/young-traders-market-application. Applications will be accepted no later than 11:59pm on Monday 20 May.

For more information on the national 'Love Your Local Market' campaign, please visit: https://loveyourlocalmarket.nabma.com/

To vote for your favourite market trader please visit: https://bit.ly/4a6Hfln. Applications will be accepted no later than 11:59pm on Saturday 1 June.

For more information on The Teenage Market initiative, please visit: https://theteenagemarket.co.uk/

For more information on the various market trader incentives, please contact the Market Manager on 01205 314200 or email markets@boston.gov.uk