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The first part of 2024 served as a warm-up for the busy season ahead. So far this year we've hosted twelve market days across various locations/events including The Marine Hotel in Ballycaslte, Glenarm Castle for the Tulip Festival, Cushendun for the Big Arts Weekend, Ballycastle Seafront, Ballymoney Spring Fair, The Rathlin Sound Festival and The Roe Valley Speciality Market in Limavady.
There have been challenges, including the unfortunate cancellation of one market due to Storm Katherine, and an increased demand for services, which is always challenging for our small team, however we work hard to try and ensure all traders are accomodated at some point throughout the year.
With the ongoing risk of cancellations due to weather (wind), we keep our fingers crossed that the weather will be kind to us for the rest of the year.
A Platform for Small Businesses and Start-ups
Throughout the twelve markets so far this year, we've hosted 148 small businesses, each bringing their unique products, food and passion to our markets.
Markets provide an invaluable platform for small businesses and start-ups, offering them a chance to showcase their goods, connect with customers, develop their skills, products and business, receive direct feedback, and build a loyal following. These markets are more than just a selling space; they are a launchpad and development tool for so many small businesses, a real catalyst for growth, and often a starting point for the big names of the future.
Encouraging Young Traders
This year, we introduced a Young Trader Discount during the Roe Valley Market and the Rathlin Sound Festival Market. This initiative aimed to encourage young business owners, offering them an affordable opportunity to test their ideas and gain valuable experience. We are proud to play our part in supporting the next generation of businesses. We are planning to reintroduce this discount during the summer, along with additional support mechanisms for traders who need extra assistance.
Navigating the Cost of Living Crisis
The ongoing cost of living crisis has created a challenging environment for many. Small businesses, in particular, feel the pinch as they strive to balance rising costs with maintaining quality and affordability. However, the support from visitors to our markets has provided a lifeline. Each purchase, each visit, and each word of encouragement has helped sustain these businesses, proving that community support can make a significant difference in difficult times.
Building Stronger Communities
One of the most heartening aspects of our markets is witnessing the community of market traders come together. Markets are more than just places to buy and sell; they are vibrant hubs of interaction and connection.
Our traders, ranging from seasoned artisans to enthusiastic newcomers, form a close-knit community that supports and inspires each other. They share experiences, advice, and camaraderie, creating a environment that benefits everyone involved. This sense of community among the traders fosters a spirit of collaboration and mutual support.
By bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, our markets also help to foster a sense of unity and shared experience among visitors. The interactions between traders and visitors, the exchange of stories behind local food production, handcrafted goods, and the collective appreciation for local talent and where our food comes from all contribute to building a stronger, more connected community. This network of relationships is priceless and underscores the impact these markets have on our local communities.
The Community Value of Markets
The value of markets extends far beyond economic benefits. They are cultural and social hubs, bringing people together. Markets create spaces where friendships are formed, collaborations are born, and a sense of belonging is nurtured. Whether you visit alone or with family and friends, markets offer an inviting atmosphere where you can always find someone to talk to and feel like part of the community.
Supporting Local Food Producers and Farmers
Our markets are a vital platform for local food producers and farmers. By showcasing and selling their locally sourced, grown and reared produce, we help to strengthen the local economy and promote sustainable practices. Using local produce not only supports our food industry but also ensures that our communities have access to high-quality food, and become more educated in relation to where their food comes from. The food industry is a cornerstone of our community, playing a crucial role in developing a self-sufficient local economy. By supporting local producers, we can all contribute to the preservation of local agriculture and the overall well-being of our region.
Looking Ahead
As we plan for the second half of the year, we will continue to provide a supportive and vibrant platform for our traders, aiming to work with as many small businesses as we can. We are looking forward to the upcoming markets.
We are also looking forward to the introduction of our 'General Markets' with the first pilot in Ballymoney, at the Ballymoney Country Market on Fri 26th July.
We want to express our sincere thanks to everyone who supports our markets. Whether you're a visitor, a venue host, event organisor, a promoter, or part of our dedicated team of staff and volunteers, your support helps make everything happen.
And lastly, a shout out to the traders that have attended our Markets so far this year:
6 Elements Nutrition
Á Mcg 27 Crafts
Aidenville Pottery
Aloha Beads By Alex
Amazin Grazin
Annie's Delights
Bad Tempered Baker
Bake 'N Joy
Ballycastle Rocks
Ballylather
Bathe Botanicals
Ben Madigan Honey
Berecko Woodcraft
Bernard Woodwork
Big Ted's American Cookies
B'jewelled Beads
Blackfire Food
Bluebell Handmade Jewellery
Bough And Burr Furntiure
Brege Stanley Art
Broughgammon Ltd
Burrow Crafts
Buttercup Unlimited
Button Home
Café Elysium
Castle Creations
Causeway Coast Air Imagery
Causeway Cookie Company
Cece's Cakes And Bakes
Celtic Irish Art
Chestnutt's Farm
Christian Ghio Photography
Cj Creations
Conor Edgell
Corndale Farm
Cottage Garden Plants
Counterculture
Crafts By Vhari
Crafty Grannies
Crafty Caroline
Crawfords Rock Seaweed
Crispstix
Cultured Bakehouse
Dana Cosmetics
Deirdre Kinney Art
Devil's Churn
Dilemma Crafts
Doganic Barkery
Doodlesbyjohn
Dundarave Estate
Ed’s Woodturning And Crafts
Emer Dixon Jewellery
Ertha Pottery
Facepainting By The Sea
Festival Glam, Henna, Braids And Gems
Figment Ceramics
Flana Bakes
Found By Fiadh
Fros Bows
Fruitonic Juicbar
Galgorm Melts
Glass4class
Gold & Browne's
Grainne Dixon Art
Granny Shaws Confections
Halfpenny Treasures
Hand Printed Irish Linen
Honeycomb Cabin
Hugable Bears
Ireland Landscapes
Irishanna Crafts
Irishmanlost
Jackson Roze
Jnj Candles & Melts
Kellee Cottage Crafts
Kennedy Bacon Ltd
Kerrie Illustrates
Kith&Kin Knitwear
La Tia Juana's
Leo & Lyn Candles
Linda’s Original
Little Creative Crochet
Little Popcorn Shop
Little Woolly Sheep
Louisa Kelly Artist
Marshall Beekeeping
Maurice Shannon Art
Mc Cluskey Pottery
Meadow Park Beading
Moneyvart Ceramics
Mooncraft Bows
Moss Pigs
Mrs B Designs
Mrs R’ganics
New Life Force
Nitro Coffee Co
Nitted Things
North Coast Maid
North Coast Smokehouse Ltd
Northern Wave Art
One Of A Kind
Peckish Pony
Plumpy Balms
Pyrocrafts By Shauna
Ratbags Jewellery
Red Buckets Resin
Renu Design Studio
Revive Aromas
Rjp Turning
Robins Jewel Company
Rspb
Ruby's Deco
Sage And Soul Ni
Sam Allen Arts
Scenic Woodcraft
Scorched Earth Designs
Sea Gem And Bead Craft
Seasons Of The Glens
Shauna Mcateer Art Design Texiles
Shoreline Studio Ni
Simple Home Holism
So&Sew Crafts
Sparkles & Pearls By Emma
Stitched Stuff
Susie Corlett Art
Symphonia Spirits
The Candle Bottle Bank
The Cheesecake Kitchen
The Curly Pigs
The Dessert Pod
The Fluffy Meringue
The Lamb Van
The Mermaids Jewellery Box
The Morelli Pod
The Oystercatcher
The Snowdrop Workshop
Tom And Ollie Ni
Tony's Griddle Goods
Tree Tops Decorations
Tully Farm Shop
Two Spoons
Two Goats Soap
U.Fitz Art
Ulster Wildlife
Wild Shore
Winnifreds Wreaths
Wooden It Be Nice
Woolly Wild Folk
You Rock
Check out the remainder of our JUNE 2024 markets HERE
