Choosing just a few Champions from such a diverse and dedicated pool of participants was an incredibly difficult task. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every market, organisation, and media outlet that took part in LYLM 2024. Your enthusiasm and commitment have truly made a difference in promoting the essence of local markets and strengthening community bonds.

As a token of our appreciation, each Champion will receive a Love Your Local Market Champion Certificate and a selection of exclusive LYLM goodies. We’ll be contacting winners next week!

From 17th May 2024 to 1st June 2024, participants showcased their dedication to supporting local markets and engaging with the community. Their efforts have not only highlighted the unique offerings of our markets but also reinforced the importance of supporting local businesses.

Without further ado, let’s celebrate the remarkable winners who made LYLM 2024 truly memorable!

In no particular order:

Freeman Street Market

Category: Family Fun Champion

Summary:

Freeman Street Market hosted engaging community events during the LYLM 2024 campaign. Highlights included a FREE Family Fun Day featuring special guests like Upsy Daisy, Iggle Piggle, Fireman Sam, and Poppy Troll. Additionally, they celebrated Africa Day with a vibrant market event, encouraging community participation and support for local traders.

Pontypridd Market

Category: Engagement Champion

Summary:

Pontypridd Market actively engaged the community through various initiatives during the LYLM 2024 campaign. They partnered with local schools for a “Design a Stall” competition, which saw participation from over 300 pupils. The competition encouraged students to imagine their own market stalls, with entries displayed and public voting held within the market. They also hosted The Honest Poet, Jamee Summers, who created songs and a spoken word piece inspired by the market. Additionally, they featured heartwarming trader stories like Marge’s Cards, highlighting the personal histories and contributions of local traders.

Neath Market

Category: Trader Champion

Summary:

Neath Market actively participated in the LYLM 2024 campaign by promoting the availability of vacant stalls for budding entrepreneurs and small business owners. They highlighted the diverse range of traders and products available at the market, from food and health products to musical instruments and books. The market also featured support from local politicians, Jeremy Miles MS/AS and Carolyn Harris MP, emphasising the community’s support for local markets. Neath Market provided a welcoming environment for new traders and showcased the unique offerings of their existing traders.

Bury Market

Category: Event Champion

Summary:

Bury Market integrated the Bury Food and Drink Festival into their LYLM 2024 celebrations, featuring a variety of food, drinks, and entertainment. The festival spanned the whole town centre, with pop-up vendors located in Kay Gardens, the Peel Statue, and the Old Rock. In addition to food and drink, the festival also showcased craft and alternative goods stalls, offering a diverse range of unique products.

South Molton Pannier Market

Category: Community Champion

Summary:

South Molton Pannier Market engaged the community with a variety of activities during the LYLM 2024 campaign. They featured trader stories, such as the inspiring journey of Lettice Bowen, a 19-year-old artist who has found a supportive platform at the market. The market also ran a competition inviting customers to share their favourite market purchases for a chance to win £100. Additionally, South Molton Pannier Market provided free Skate Molton CIC sessions, further enhancing its role as a valuable community resource.

Barrow Market Hall

Category: Community Events Champion

Summary:

Barrow Market Hall kicked off their LYLM 2024 campaign with an official opening ceremony supported by the Mayor of Barrow, Chris Altree, and the Mayor of Ulverston, Michelle Scrogham. The market celebrated Furness Pride with a colourful Pride Parade and a visit from the Rainbow Dino, offering free face painting for visitors. Additionally, they hosted an outdoor market event featuring family fun and local independent shopping, inviting the community to celebrate and support their local market. The market also celebrated “Dino Day,” which brought a lively atmosphere to the town centre and markets, emphasising the importance of supporting local businesses and providing a welcoming space for the community.

Ulverston Market

Category: Produce Champion

Summary:

Ulverston Market actively participated in the LYLM 2024 campaign by promoting their community market and amazing traders. They encouraged visitors to get their Bank Holiday treats and fresh produce while exploring the eclectic mix of businesses. The Market Cafe was highlighted as a popular spot for lunch and a hot cuppa, offering a warm and friendly atmosphere. The market emphasised the importance of supporting local traders and spreading the word about positive shopping experiences, inviting the community to enjoy a leisurely shopping experience with the friendliest customer service.

Ormskirk Market

Category: Entertainment Champion

Summary:

Ormskirk Market participated enthusiastically in the LYLM 2024 campaign, offering a variety of activities and entertainment. They celebrated their historic street market with free family entertainment, including walkabout entertainers like The Funguys and The Bread and Butter Theatre Company. The market also featured free face painting and a Gingerbread Trail, attracting families and fostering a vibrant community atmosphere. Additionally, Ormskirk Market promoted opportunities for traditional market traders, street food vendors, and artisans to join and grow their businesses.

Wigan Markets

Category: Youth Champion

Summary:

Wigan Markets celebrated the LYLM 2024 campaign by bringing together local traders and the community through various promotions and events. They highlighted a range of local businesses, including Lou’s Diner, Anthony Ainscough, Jazz Shoes, Clunan’s, and The Cheese Cabin. The market also organised the Wigan Youth Zone Market, featuring free activities like decorating wooden heart decorations. These efforts aimed to foster community spirit and support for local traders.

Chelmsford Market

Category: Innovation Champion

Summary:

Chelmsford Market actively participated in the LYLM 2024 campaign with various engaging activities and events. A highlight of the campaign was the collaboration with local artists and organisations for a street art festival, resulting in large murals and street furniture art that celebrated the local culture and community. The market also gained media attention for its vibrant atmosphere and star traders, encouraging visitors to support local businesses. Additionally, Chelmsford Market kicked off the campaign with an “Instagrammable bench,” inviting visitors to take photos and tag the market.

Greenwich Market

Category: Culture Champion

Summary:

Greenwich Market showcased the vibrancy of their market through engaging video content during the LYLM 2024 campaign. The video highlighted the bustling atmosphere, featuring fresh produce, handcrafted goods, delectable treats, and fantastic events and entertainment. The market also hosted numerous local music artists, creating a lively environment with customers dancing and joining in the fun. These efforts emphasised the unique and energetic character of Greenwich Market, encouraging visitors to support local businesses.

Wakefield Markets

Category: Activity Champion

Summary:

Wakefield Markets celebrated the LYLM 2024 campaign with a variety of engaging events and activities. They hosted the Castleford Roman Festival, featuring interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities, Roman games, crafts, guided tours, talks, and entertainment, offering something for every family member. The market collaborated with Riverside Paint-a-Pot to offer a free pottery workshop in their new event space. Additionally, Wakefield Markets organised their first-ever Young Market Trader Event, where young traders showcased their talents, with winners advancing to the regional finals.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

Category: Storytelling Champion

Summary:

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council celebrated the LYLM 2024 campaign by showcasing the vibrant community of Hinckley Market through a series of short films. These films highlighted the market’s traders, their stories, and the unique products they offer. The campaign aimed to foster a sense of pride and support for the local market, emphasising the strong community bonds and the importance of supporting local businesses.

Jaz Singh

Category: Inspirational Champion

Summary:

Jaz Singh, a trader from Stockton-on-Tees Markets, stepped up to the mark at short notice and inspired many with his story during the LYLM 2024 campaign. His 40-year journey as a market trader was highlighted in a popular interview on BBC Radio Tees. Jaz’s dedication to his trade and his vibrant presence at the market have made him a beloved figure among both traders and customers. His story resonated widely, showcasing the impact of long-term traders in local markets.

Alfreton Indoor Market

Category: Trader Focus Champion

Summary:

Alfreton Indoor Market actively participated in the LYLM 2024 campaign by spotlighting their traders and celebrating their contributions. They featured Ben from Simply Spanish Ltd, who specialises in Spanish cleaning products and recently celebrated his first year in business at the market. Carla from Sapphire of the Stars, a long-time trader known for her crystals and handmade artisan goods, was also highlighted. Additionally, Denise’s Fruit & Veg, the market’s longest-standing trader with 32 years of experience, was showcased for her dedication to providing fresh produce daily. These stories emphasise the diversity and dedication of Alfreton Market’s traders, fostering a strong sense of community and support for local businesses.

MEDIA OUTLETS

BBC Radio Shropshire

Category: Media Champion

Summary:

BBC Radio Shropshire provided significant support for the LYLM 2024 campaign, featuring numerous markets across the Shropshire area. They broadcasted live from various locations, including Newport Indoor Market, Market Drayton Indoor Market Hall, Wem Town Hall, and Shrewsbury Market. Their coverage highlighted the vibrant market atmosphere, interviewed traders and customers, and showcased the unique offerings of local markets. The station’s involvement greatly contributed to the community spirit and visibility of the LYLM campaign.

BBC Radio Tees

Category: Media Champion

Summary:

BBC Radio Tees actively supported the LYLM 2024 campaign by featuring local market traders and events in their broadcasts. They showcased the story of Jaz Singh, a long-standing market trader from Stockton-on-Tees Markets, whose journey resonated widely with listeners. The station’s coverage helped highlight the importance of market traders in the community and promoted local markets as vibrant hubs of activity.

Daily Express

Category: Media Champion

Summary:

The Daily Express provided substantial media coverage for the LYLM 2024 campaign, supporting local markets with their “Save Our Markets” initiative. The newspaper highlighted various markets and their unique contributions to local communities, emphasising the economic and social benefits of supporting local markets. Their articles and features helped raise awareness and encouraged public support for the LYLM campaign.

We are thrilled to highlight the diverse contributions and celebrations of local markets and media outlets during the LYLM 2024 campaign. Each participant played a vital role in promoting and supporting local markets, fostering a strong sense of community and encouraging public engagement.

Thank you to everyone who took part!