New business support leaflet for struggling market stalls

A new advice leaflet for market traders offers stall owners free business ‘health checks’ to help them beat economic challenges and increased competition.

The leaflet: ‘Growing Markets: Championing the Market Stall’, will be distributed widely across the country to 35,000 market traders and managers to throw a spotlight on the free support available to make sure local markets succeed in the face of 21st century challenges.

Markets across the country are struggling in the face of growth from out of town supermarkets, discount stores, internet shopping and the current economic climate.

Markets Minister Rosie Winterton advised that more traders needed to take advantage the support available. She urged them to contact Business Link to get a free business health check, advice on cutting costs or getting loans, and help form Jobcentre Plus to avoid job losses, as well as tax deferrals.

A spokesperson for the Retail Markets Alliance Joe Harrison said: “We’re pleased that the Government has produced a leaflet that points directly to where market traders can get support during this time of economic recovery.

“We feel that the value of retail markets and what they have to offer to shoppers and both the local and national economies is finally being recognised, and this extra help for traders is much appreciated.”