NNCG, YOUR COMMUNITY MARKET

At the Heart of the Community Since 2012.

NNCG has been in operation since 2012, and was formerly a Social Enterprise known as 'Ballycastle Town Market'.

Now NNCG as a not for profit charitable organisation we deliver an award winning community markets in the Causeway Coast and Glens area and wider.

We work to revitalise rural and urban areas in Northern Ireland, especially the Causeway Coast and Glens, by using local markets as community hubs.

These markets bring people together, support local producers and small businesses, and create a sense of community. Through events and activities, we aim to reduce loneliness and build safer, friendlier communities. We also provide support and training to help individuals and businesses thrive, promoting self-employment and sustainable development.

About Us: About Us

OUR OBJECTIVES

We’re all about bringing people together and creating opportunities for communities to thrive. Our work focuses on supporting local people, businesses, and creative talent, particularly in areas that need a boost. Through our markets and events, we help build stronger, more connected communities while providing a platform for small businesses and local producers to grow.

Here’s how we make a difference:

Creating community spaces and events – We organise markets and activities designed to bring people together, reduce loneliness, and foster a sense of belonging, helping to make communities safer, stronger, and more connected.
Supporting small businesses and local producers – Our markets offer affordable stalls, giving individuals, small businesses, and local producers a chance to showcase and sell their products, keeping trade local and strengthening the local economy.
Providing guidance and mentorship – We offer support, training, and mentorship to help people start and grow their businesses, giving them the confidence and skills to take the next step.
Helping people develop new skills – Whether it’s young people, those facing hardship, or anyone looking for a fresh start, we provide opportunities to learn, train, and build their future through entrepreneurship and vocational skills.
Creating opportunities for employment and financial independence – By supporting self-employment, training, and work experience, we help reduce poverty and unemployment, improving wellbeing and financial stability for individuals and families.
Celebrating arts, culture, and craftsmanship – We provide a platform for artists, crafters, and makers to showcase their talents, keeping local heritage and creativity alive.
Championing sustainable local food – We support local farmers and growers, encouraging sustainable food production that benefits the environment, our communities, and our health.

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to building stronger communities, supporting small businesses, and making sure local people have access to opportunities that help them thrive.

About Us: List

WHAT WE DO!

MARKETS/EVENTS

We deliver markets throughout NI. Many of our markets are independent, and some are delivered as an attraction at larger events throughout the region. We offer a unique platform for local people to start up, develop businesses, showcase their products and become self sufficient. We work with a wide range of individuals and small business owners, community representatives, local authorities and more.

TOURING MARKETS

We understand the time and finance involved in organising markets to support local community events or to add an attraction to a town event.

We can bring our popular market to your town or event and reduce the workload for your team. Our market has a strong following, holds an excellent reputation with the traders we work with and has a good reputation for the high standard of unique and quirky products sold by our traders - it's always an attraction at any event.

We manage the market from start to finish, working with you along the way to ensure the market we provide complements your area and event. In essence we cover, what needs to be done and when, both leading up to and during the event to ensure a successful delivery and a positive outcome for all parties involved. We can deliver our own market or work with you to deliver a specific market that suits your needs.

Hiring our market to attend your event costs from £1000. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and to receive a quote.

MEMBERSHIP

When you register to trade with NNCG, you become a member of our trading community—joining a network of like-minded traders who help shape and support our markets. Our members play a key role in making our markets a success, creating a welcoming, dynamic space for traders and visitors alike.

At the heart of NNCG is a strong, supportive community. Our members work together, sharing knowledge, celebrating each other’s successes, and collaborating whenever possible. Many traders have found this network invaluable, not just for business growth but also for the friendships and support it offers.

Members also have the opportunity to volunteer and join our advisory group, helping to guide and develop the markets, share their expertise, and contribute to the future of our trading community.

All registered traders trade on a casual basis, with the flexibility to attend markets as it suits them. To access trading opportunities, members are offered subscription packages, which provide essential access to markets and support.

If you’d like to learn more about registering and our membership, get in touch—we’d love to hear from you!

CASUAL TRADING

All our members trade on a casual basis—there’s no requirement to commit to a set number of markets. We understand that flexibility is important, and we want our markets to work for our traders as much as they do for the local community.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we’re focused on creating vibrant, successful markets that support small businesses, not on making a profit. We work closely with our traders to ensure our markets meet their needs, and as a result, many tell us our markets are their favourite places to trade.

We’re always on the lookout for new and talented traders who bring something unique to our markets. If you think your products would be a good fit, check out the trading information on our website and submit a casual trading application—we’d love to hear from you!

TRADER SUPPORT

We don’t just deliver great markets for visitors to enjoy—we also provide traders with services, support, training, and opportunities to grow their businessesthrough our make it to market programme. By doing this, we help strengthen the local economy, boost tourism, and support community development, all while enhancing the quality of life in our communities.

If you're new to trading or need support or advice, get in touch—we’re here to help!

Make it to Market Programme

Our Make It to Market programme is designed to support those who face financial barriers to starting or growing their business. Through this initiative, we offer discounted trading opportunities to help individuals take their first steps into markets with reduced financial risk.

The programme includes:

Youth Trading Discounts – Supporting young entrepreneurs by offering reduced rates to help them gain experience and confidence in a real trading environment.
Discounts for Those on Employment-Related Means-Tested Benefits – Ensuring fair access to market opportunities for those who may otherwise struggle to afford a stall.

We believe that markets should be accessible to everyone, and Make It to Market is part of our commitment to creating opportunities for aspiring traders who need extra support.

If you think you might be eligible for the programme, get in touch—we’d love to help you take the next step on your trading journey!

COMMUNITY/CHARITY PITCHES

We love supporting community groups, charities, and not-for-profit organisations that make a difference locally. Our reduced-price community pitches offer a great opportunity to connect with the public, raise awareness, and fundraise—all while adding to the unique character of our markets. There’s no better way to promote your cause than getting out there and chatting with local people!

How it works:

Community and charity pitches are available free of charge to those who meet our eligibility criteria (get in touch for details).
If you need a gazebo, there’s a small £5 hire fee.
Pitches are for promotion, awareness, and fundraising (raffles, upcoming events, recruiting volunteers, etc.). Selling goods isn’t permitted—if you’d like to sell products, you’ll need to register to trade.

Due to high demand, we rotate charities to ensure fair opportunities. Priority is given to groups delivering services in the local area and those who haven’t had a pitch within the same year.

If you're interested in bringing your community or charity stall to one of our markets, or if you'd like more information, click HERE

SOCIAL BENEFITS

Over the years, we’ve built a thriving calendar of well-run, well-attended markets—starting from volunteer efforts and strong community partnerships. These markets have helped new businesses get off the ground, created jobs, and boosted the local economy. More than just places to shop, they bring life to our towns, support local events, strengthen community connections, and even promote health and well-being.

We work with two key communities—our traders and the wider local community—each with its own needs and benefits from the market.

Our markets create a lively, welcoming space where people can come together, explore what their town has to offer, and reconnect. They encourage social interaction, particularly between rural and urban communities, making them an important hub of activity.

Markets are more than just places to buy and sell. They’re a space where visitors can meet the people behind the products, catch up with friends, and discover something new. They act as a gathering place—a "third space" beyond home and work—where both traders and visitors can connect, support each other, and be part of something bigger. We've seen firsthand the demand for this kind of community, and we’re committed to developing it even further.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Towns have changed a lot in recent years, and so have the ways people shop and connect with their local community. Our goal is to bring life back to town centres—creating a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere, increasing footfall, and encouraging people to rediscover their local area.

People want more than just a place to shop—they’re looking for an experience, something authentic, great customer service, and a real sense of character and diversity. Our markets deliver all of this, bringing fresh energy to towns and community events while supporting economic growth and tourism in the area.

Our events have a warmth about them. They attract more visitors to the town, encourage people to stay longer, and showcase what the area has to offer. More than just a market, we provide an enjoyable day out that brings people together.

We also offer a valuable platform for traders, helping them start and grow their businesses, build confidence, and develop entrepreneurial skills. Many go on to turn their passion into self-employment, creating more opportunities within the local economy.

We carefully select a diverse mix of traders and products to ensure our markets offer something special. Rather than competing with the high street, our markets complement local shops—creating a thriving environment where independent businesses can flourish.

By choosing to shop local and support small businesses, we can all play a part in strengthening our communities. Every purchase helps create jobs, keeps money circulating locally, and ensures our towns remain lively, unique places to visit and enjoy.