Stories

Non stop community

Each of our traders has a different story to share about their Market Village journey. Explore their stories below on how little acorns have grown into oak trees and how their inspirations and aspirations have helped them on the way.

Books galore at Kirkby Lonsdale Charter Market with The Book Lounge

Valerie Laycock has run The Book Lounge, an independent bookshop in Kirkby Lonsdale, since September 2018. Popular with the local community, Valerie sells new and quality recycled books of both fiction and non-fiction in a wide range of genres. Valerie had considered...

Sweet success for new traders at Alnwick Market – D&G Sweet Treats Trader Story

David and Gemma own D&G Sweet Treats and have only been trading for a few months. They joined Alnwick market and quickly gathered a dedicated following amongst the locals and tourists for their traditional sweets. Offering a varied selection of sweets and...

Keeping it in the family – sisters trade as PaSar Designs at Alnwick Market

Paula and Sarah are sisters, and together they run PaSar Designs selling unique handmade jewellery and gifts! Born and bred in Yorkshire, they both moved to the north east over 15 years ago and started their business together so they could see each other at least once...

Grannyhodge’s Sewing finds success in Kirkby Lonsdale

Alison Hodgkinson has stood local markets and Christmas Markets for five years, but only on an ad hoc basis. As Alison makes all her own products, spending hours at home each week sewing takes a lot of her time and she wasn’t sure that she’d be able to keep her stock...

From one stall to six units in less than 7 years – RKA Direct’s Trader Story

The biggest range of artificial flowers and memorial gifts in Scotland Khalid Mohammed’s stall has been a fixture in Scotland’s biggest indoor market for 7 years. Starting off with a single stall at The Forge in Glasgow, RKA Direct trade in Halloween and Christmas...

Bellamy’s Pad Trader Story

Bellamy’s Pad is a dog grooming parlour which started in nearby Pontypool and is run by Alison. Offering a variety of services, including grooming and spas, pet portraits and arts and crafts for dogs, Alison was looking for an effective way to expand her business into...