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General Markets

Naturally North Coast and Glens has been serving the community since 2012, originally as 'Ballycastle Town Market'. We are a not-for-profit social enterprise that initially focused on delivering award-winning artisan markets throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Now, we're expanding to introduce additional general markets with broader criteria for participation, creating new opportunities for small businesses and visitors alike.

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Our markets are managed by a dedicated team including the board, volunteers, staff, and advisors. By introducing a general market, we intend to create a new series of vibrant and diverse markets where a variety of goods are available, allowing for a wider range of traders to participate.

The artisan markets that have been operational since 2012 will continue as usual in their current form, with their own criteria for participation.

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We look forward to this new chapter and invite you to explore our trading criteria for the general markets to see how you can become a part of our evolving market community. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about trading, please don't hesitate to reach out.

 

We value contributions from each trader and believe that our diverse market will bring something special to the local community.

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We will be launching the new market initative at the NEW Pilot 'Ballymoney Country Market' on Fri 26th July

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After the pilot market we plan to introduce additional venues/events for the General Markets.

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Ballymoney Country Market

Pilot Market
Fri 26th July
Castlecroft Square

Are you a local trader looking to showcase your products and connect with the community?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of the Ballymoney Country Market on the 26th of July!

Trading Time: 10am - 3pm

Set up from approx: 9am

Trading Fees Start at: £10

Why Trade at the Ballymoney Country Market?

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  • Support a New Market Initiative: Be part of a growing market and contribute to the local economy.

  • Low Trading Fees: Enjoy low stall fees that offer great value for money.

  • Brand Awareness: Increase the visibility of your brand in the community.

  • Develop Sales Skills: Enhance your sales techniques by interacting with a diverse range of customers.

  • Network with Other Traders: Build connections with fellow traders and share valuable insights.

  • Test New Products: Use the market as a platform to launch and test new products.

  • Direct Customer Feedback: Gain immediate feedback from customers to improve your offerings.

  • Community Engagement: Engage with the local community and build a loyal customer base.

  • Boost Sales: Take advantage of footfall event to boost your sales, on the market day.

  • Promote Your Online Store: Drive traffic to your website by promoting it at your stall and engaging with customers.

 

Express Interest here, before 9pm on Sun 30th June 

Read the Trading Criteria and Product Categories Below

General Markets
Trading Criteria

The trading criteria is designed to create a vibrant, diverse, and safe environment where small, independent retailers can thrive. We encourage you to read the categories to understand what we are looking for. Although these categories are new and may evolve over time, they reflect our commitment to maintaining a market that's offers quality, value and a welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone.

  • Traders' businesses and products must comply with all applicable legal requirements.

  • Traders businesses must be based and located in Northern Ireland

  • Traders should hold valid public liability insurance.

  • If selling food, traders must be registered with their local Environmental Health Officer (EHO) department and hold a 3-star rating or above.

  • Traders businesses must be independent and you must be the owner or direct employees of the business.

  • Traders must provide proof of identity and address.

  • Traders must agree to meet market policies, procedures, and safety requirements.

  • Traders' products should fit into one of the categories listed below

Categories

Traders products should fit into one of these categories.  If you think we've missed anything that would make a positive contribution to the general markets please get in touch to discuss.

  • Lifestyle Products

    • Independent Fashion

    • Homewares

    • Retro Furniture

    • Upcycled Goods

    • Sustainable/Eco-Friendly Products

    • Wellness, Holistic

    • Textiles

    • Garden Items & Plants

    • Pet Items

    • Art

    • Photography

    • Jewellery

    • Gifts

    • Bags and Accessories

    • Cards and Stationery

    • Home Fragrance

    • Cosmetic Products

    • Handmade Crafts and Supplies

    • Cottage Industry (artisan) Goods (not made by the trader)

    • Cottage Industry (artisan) Goods (made by the trader)

  • Antiques/Vintage/Collectables

    • Vintage/Pre-loved clothing

    • Vintage Items (25 – 100 years old)

    • Collectables & Curiosities

    • Antiques (over 100 years old)

    • Books/Maps/Reading Material

    • Music, Vinyl Records, & CDs

    • Stamps and Coins

    • Fine Art

  • Food & Farm Produce

    • General Food

    • Artisan Food, Speciality Food

    • Farm / Primary Produce

    • Dairy Produce

    • Meat Products

    • Prepared Foods

    • Fish

    • Baked Goods

    • Confectionery

    • Street Food

    • Alcohol (at specified markets)

    • Tea/Coffee

    • Other Value-Added Products

  • Miscellaneous

    • Services, Experiences

    • Other not listed

Items Not Permitted

To maintain a unique and positive market experience and support small, independent retailers, we do not allow the sale of branded items from large corporations, MLM independent consultants/partners, or poor-quality items. This policy helps us avoid clashing with high street offerings and ensures a diverse and original selection for our visitors. Additionally, we are committed to delivering a market that only offers credible products and ensures all items meet regulatory standards.
This list is non-exhaustive; in any dispute, the organisers' decision is final.

Illegal and Dangerous Items

  • Illegal Products: Goods prohibited by law, such as drugs, controlled substances, or stolen items.

  • Firearms and Weapons: Guns, knives (excluding kitchen/crafts knives), explosives, or fireworks.

  • Dangerous Goods: Flammable materials, toxic substances, or other hazardous items.

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Ethical and Social Considerations

  • Hate Items: Materials promoting hatred, discrimination, or violence against any group based on race, gender, religion, or other protected categories. Items promoting paramilitary organisations or containing sectarian, racist, homophobic, or otherwise hateful slurs or language.

  • Violent Items: Items that promote, support, or glorify violence.

  • Endangered Species and Products: Items made from endangered animals/plants or that contribute to their endangerment.

  • Fur and Animal Products: Fur, ivory, or other controversial animal-derived products.

  • Branded Items from large corporations: Not permitted to avoid conflicts with high street retailers.

  • Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) Businesses: Businesses operating on a multi-level marketing scheme or businesses selling MLM products are not permitted.

  • Products that make medical claims that are not backed up by clinical evidence.

  • Individuals presenting themselves as consultants or experts in a specific field must possess appropriate certification or credentials.

  • Religious and Political Neutrality: Organisations and individuals may not use the market to promote a religious or political message. This ensures the market remains a neutral and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds.

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Content and Intellectual Property

  • Adult Content: Pornographic or sexually explicit materials.

  • Pirated or Counterfeit Goods: Illegal copies of software, movies, music, or branded merchandise.

  • Intellectual Property Infringements: Items violating copyrights, trademarks, or patents.

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Compliance with Safety and Health Standards

  • Non-Compliant Toys: Toys lacking CE (Conformité Européenne) marking.

  • Uncertified Cosmetics: Cosmetics or personal care products without proper safety testing or labelling, and should meet the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2004.

  • Non-Compliant Candles: Candles that do not meet Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulations.

  • Non-Compliant Food Products: Food items that don't meet safety and health regulations, including proper labelling, hygiene, and expiry dates.

  • Non-Compliant Textiles: Clothing or textiles that lack fire safety certification or contain prohibited chemicals.

 

Other Prohibited Items

  • Sale of Live Animals: Not permitted in this market.

  • Lottery Tickets and Gambling: Games of chance or gambling activities, unless specifically regulated and allowed.

  • Items Promoting Illegal Activities: Products that encourage illegal behaviour, like lock-picking tools or drug paraphernalia.

  • Quality Items only, No Bric-a-brac or poor quality items

  • Unsuitable Items: commercial tools, and commercial hardware items.

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Businesses/Products that do not adhere to Consumer Protection and other relevent Legistation

It is your responsibility to ensure that you and your employees comply with all current legislation in respect of your business/products and provide any relevant documentary evidence when we request to see it. Below is some legislation to consider, it is not an exhaustive list, based on your product type you may have additional legislation to consider and comply with.

  • Consumer Protection legistations

  • Fair trading, Trade descriptions and Trading Standards

  • Consumer Rights Act 2015

  • Food Safety Regulations

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Items Not Permitted Ballymoney Country Market
Image by Clem Onojeghuo
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