Market Events

Love Your Local Market Enterprise Fairs

Kirklees Council is joining 500 markets across the country in May to raise awareness of market trading and market shopping.

The national 'Love Your Local Market' campaign is led by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA), backed by the government and the market industry.

The campaign aims to attract new market traders and also aims to highlight the importance that markets play in the heart of the local community, not only for retail but they are a valuable community asset and provide the focal point of many of our town centres.

Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced in the House of Commons in November that LYLM 2013, will run from May 15 to 29. He welcomed the support of the markets industry, which has set a target of 500 markets getting involved in this year’s events, in addition to 3,000 new traders.

Kirklees is supporting the campaign by offering free stalls at Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Huddersfield, Holmfirth and Queensgate Markets to people wanting to test trade life as a market stallholder.

Working with partners across Kirklees, there will be a series of four Enterprise Fairs to offer free advice and guidance to people thinking of starting-up their own businesses. These will be as follows:


May 20 - Queensgate Market, Huddersfield from 11am to 1.30pm
May 21 - Heckmondwike Market from 1.30pm to 3pm.

The markets are also celebrating market shopping with plenty of free entertainment for their loyal shoppers and to welcome new customers to the markets.

There will be a visit from the most famous market trader in the UK, Delboy Trotter (look-alike) with the original yellow van from the TV series at Cleckheaton Market on May 18. Shoppers can take part in the gameshow ‘Only Fools and Prizes’, meet Del and have their photos taken with him and the famous yellow van.

Cllr Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said, “This is an important national campaign, highlighting just how important the markets are to the lives of our residents. I encourage people who would like to try a free stall to get in touch with the markets team, and for all our local residents to try to visit their local market during this week when there is so much happening, and all of it free to take part.’

The packed schedule of entertainment, which runs across Kirklees for a week, also includes:


Monday May 20 - free chocolate making workshops, free face painting and strolling entertainment at Queensgate Market.

Tuesday May 21 - free chocolate making workshops, free face painting and strolling entertainment at Heckmondwike Market.