Fresh New Year down at the Market

Looking back at 2013 I'd say although some individual Saturdays were a washout (quite literally - and I mean that in its true sense, not how it's used frequently) taken as a whole it has been a very good year for the Market, trading has increased by 60%, and before you naysayers get on your bandwagon, We all know the Market isn't what it used to be, in some ways its better because its run by the traders and the Community. We are all in this together, and if we want to have a 'social' community space we all need to start using it!

The best thing to come out of 2013 was the numbers of like minded people who want this social space to work for the Community and are willing to help, we've got Phil Campbell who is driving the WiFi on the Market Project, CJ who is working with Wendy and Colin on the Market Heritage Project, and jointly on the Rummage lounge, we have Craig who has a stall on the Market but has been working behind the scenes advertising and passing on great ideas. Becky who ran the Global Kitchen on the Market but also provided an immense amount of work on our social media side. Kathy Mcardle from the Creative Quarter who has achieved great things in the art of herding cats, Shona and Penny Poyser from Notts Nosh who have put on some great events and raised the profile of Sneinton Market,  we've now got Ange Barker from Earth Tree Healing who with great enthusiasm is whipping up a storm for the Nottingham Light Night on the 28th February, Nottingham Fixers who will be back on the Market soon with the great aim of reducing the things that go to Landfill,Paula Daley from FfTF who helped so much I could go on and on, this is what the Market space is about, not just a Market where goods are sold, but a Community Space where people come to meet, to talk, to eat, drink, to socialise, this is what we aim to achieve ' SOCIAL SHOPPING'.

We are now at the start of a New Year where I believe the Market will continue to grow, we are expanding the board and reviewing its governance we have a group of many market activists that are working closely with us to build on last years successes, together we have an impetus that will produce results.

Having said all that we need the Market to be sustainable, and for that we do need Customers, as many as possible, the Market is in an ideal position and this why in past years in has been so successful, we now need to remember old shopping habits, buy local food, buy local crafts, support the local economy, reduce your food mileage, Markets don't triple pack your bananas, save on landfill, repair your goods, reuse your goods, sell them on the Market, and if you can't find it on the Market then go to a local shop!

Many thanks to all our Traders who have traded throughout the year, and I'd like to welcome the many traders who are about to come on-board.

See ya all down at the Market down Hockley!