MICRO-businesses in North Tyneside are being offered a 'table for a tenner' in a one-off market to give them the opportunity to sell to new customers.
The event, on Saturday June 23 coincides with the first National Markets Day, and aims to encourage cottage industries to get out and sell for perhaps the first time.
A special marquee will be put up for the day in the centre of Whitley Bay, where businesses will sell goods and services ranging from dog walking to home made food. Students from Churchill Community College will be selling handmade goods from their own special pop-up Shoplet, as part of a project looking at retail careers.
The market is being backed by the North Tyneside Business Factory, which will be providing advisers on the day to talk to people interested in starting their own business. Those interested in retail will also be able to chat to entrepreneurs with stalls on the market.
Deputy Mayor for North Tyneside, Councillor Judith Wallace said: “This unique event will provide budding businesses with a platform to present their goods and services to the buying public, at a very low cost.
“I’d like to encourage local residents to come along and support these small cottage industries.
“I hope this event acts as a launch pad for many more successful small businesses in the borough.”
This is the first National Market Day, which was one of the initiatives suggested by retail guru Mary Portas in her Government-commissioned report into how life can be breathed back into Britain’s high streets.
North Tyneside was successful in bidding for a share of ‘Portas money’, the £10m High Street Innovation Fund set up to provide funding for ideas to improve town centres and attract shoppers back to them.
Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington were also successful in attracting funding from the initiative.
The Whitley Bay market day aims to attract people from across the community with street performers and funfair rides creating a carnival atmosphere.
There are still a number of spaces available for North Tyneside-based start-up or small businesses interested in taking a stall at the market.
Contact John Fleet at North Tyneside Council at john.fleet@northtyneside.gov.uk or 0191 643 6419, or the North Tyneside Business Factory on 0844 770 4442.