Latest update October 14th, 2019 7:27 AM
Jun 13, 2013 Peter Rabbit General News Comments Off on Market trader reaches final of national competition
A budding entrepreneur from one of Stoke-on-Trent’s markets is celebrating after making it through to the final of a national competition.
Bernadette Hutchins was one of only 100 people chosen to make it to the last stage of the National Market Traders Federation’s (NMTF) First Pitch scheme, supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
She was picked by judges after impressing when given a fortnight to test out her business idea on a market in the city. Bernadette test traded on Hanley Indoor Market with her corset and burlesque accessory store Curve A Peel.
Now she will benefit from a discounted rental structure on the market for the next 12 months as part of her prize to help her blossoming business grow. She will also receive one year’s free membership of the NMTF and a mentor to help guide her.
Bernadette, aged 53, who lives in Blurton, said: “This is an opportunity to realise a dream I’ve had for many years.
“In the two weeks I traded at Hanley Indoor Market, I had a great time. The most enjoyable aspect was all of the positive feedback I received. The customers have been impressed with the quality, variety of stock and the one-to-one customer service they receive and the other stall holders and staff have all been very friendly.
“My future holds a number of exciting possibilities. I’ve been very impressed with the market and I’d encourage people to come down and take a look at all of the stalls and everything that’s on offer. It really is a great place.”
At the end of the 12 months, Bernadette will be invited to a Market Master Class and Awards Ceremony, where one first pitcher will bag £2,000 to boost their business to the next level.
Councillor Paul Shotton, cabinet member for economic development, said: “It’s great to hear Bernadette has been successful and made it through to the final.
“It goes to show just how thriving our markets are for business and what great assets they are for the city as a whole. I’d encourage anyone who is thinking of following in Bernadette’s footsteps to get in touch with our market department and start the ball rolling.”
Joe Harrison, chief executive of NMTF, said: “I’d like to congratulate Bernadette on becoming a finalist on the First Pitch scheme. She is one of 100 finalists across the UK and alongside Stoke-on-Trent City Council we will support her to grow her business on the market.
“Last year’s scheme was a great success, with a third of candidates still trading on the markets today. Bernadette has demonstrated to us that she’s got the hunger and a market stall is the ideal way to turn her passion into a profit.”
From the renovated Victorian Market at Tunstall to the modern Hanley Market in the city centre, or the traditional markets in Stoke and Longton, the council’s four indoor markets have something to please everyone. Stoke-on-Trent markets also operate five outdoor markets to ensure shoppers are never far away from one of the markets.
To watch a video of Bernadette on her market stall, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMw3lAQc-fo
Via: National Market Traders Federation
May 07, 2014 Comments Off on Ashton Market named the UK’s greenest
Feb 15, 2014 Comments Off on LIVERPOOL ‘GREATIE’ MARKET GREAT CHOICE FOR YOUNG TRADERS
Jan 13, 2014 Comments Off on Newest market traders harbour expansion plans
Sep 26, 2013 Comments Off on Market group expands across UK
Oct 14, 2019 Comments Off on Borough Market To Open Sustainable New Street Food Area
Jul 09, 2019 Comments Off on Dorchester Wednesday market £27k shortfall
Jun 25, 2019 Comments Off on Spate of thefts hit Market Drayton over same weekend
May 16, 2019 Comments Off on From market stall to supermarket giant: the man who made Tesco
Oct 14, 2019 Comments Off on Venezuelan fast-casual dining opening in White City
HOSPITALITY & CATERING NEWS A new fast-casual dining concept from restaurateurs Gabriel and Jose-Luis Gonzalez. SABROSO!, will open at West London’s Westfield White City on 21st October....Sep 06, 2019 Comments Off on Leicester vegans are about to gain a new 100% vegan market, hitting the city this month
Oct 14, 2019 Comments Off on Borough Market To Open Sustainable New Street Food Area
Londonist.com BY LAURA REYNOLDS The eclectic stalls of Borough Market offer myriad lunch options — trust us, we’ve availed ourselves of most of them at one time or another — but not many places to sit and enjoy your nosh. Enter The Borough Market Kitchen, a new space in the...Sep 16, 2019 Comments Off on The end of an era for Smithfield market
Jun 09, 2019 Comments Off on More city dwellers connect with their food via street markets
Jun 01, 2019 Comments Off on Paris’s La Felicità is a style-forward food market bringing Italian flair and flavour to the culinarily-diverse 13th arrondissement…
May 10, 2019 Comments Off on Time Out opens newest market at Miami’s South Beach
Apr 16, 2019 Comments Off on Highway ban takes heavy toll on Sunday market
Apr 12, 2019 Comments Off on This Little Piggy Went To These 11 Street Food Markets
Apr 07, 2019 Comments Off on Dublin’s hidden gem: The Liberty Market
Dec 09, 2018 Comments Off on 12 magical Christmas markets from Chichester to Copenhagen