Love Your Local Markets

The 2022 Love Your Local Market campaign is under way and runs until 5 June.

It is a national campaign by the NABMA – the National Association of British Market Authorities – to celebrate the important role markets play in their local communities and town centres.

South Kesteven has a long and proud tradition of market trading spanning more than 250 years. The district hosts three outdoor markets, in Grantham, Stamford and Bourne.

BOURNE MARKET is a small market is every Thursday in the car park immediately behind the Corn Exchange building. There are approximately 15+ traders, both casual and regular. There is also have a smaller market on a Saturday. The market trades between the hours of 8.30am and 3pm.

GRANTHAM MARKET is every Saturday on Narrow Westgate, in the Market Place and Butcher’s Row. We currently have approximately 30+ traders, both casual and regular. The market trades between the hours of 8.30am and 3pm, and there is plenty of car parking in the town.

There is also a Farmers’ Market that stands every second Saturday of the month on Butcher’s Row. Details are available upon request if you wish to stand on the farmers’ markets.

STAMFORD MARKET is every Friday on Broad Street and Ironmonger Street. We currently have approximately 75+ traders, both casual and regular. A smaller market is also held every Saturday in Red Lion Square and High Street (some traders relocated to High Street due to Red Lion Square roadworks) with around 18+ traders. This market trades between the hours of 8.30am and 3pm. You can park your car at one of the nearby car parks.

There is also a Farmers’ Market that stands every Friday on Stamford High Street.

Cllr Rosemary Trollope-Bellew said: “Shopping at your local market is a great way to support local businesses and having a great shopping experience there has the knock-on effect of supporting all retailers by increasing the number of people visiting town. The visitor economy is extremely valuable to the district, and a thriving local market is an local important attraction.

“Supporting our town centres, high streets and hospitality is one of this council’s priorities. They are vital to the communities they serve and during the pandemic, SKDC was determined to protect the livelihoods of small businesses and traders.

“They also provide a great opportunity to sample local produce and a wide range of goods.”

SKDC shares regular and up-to-date information via its local markets page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/southkdcmarkets and will highlight traders and their stalls in the coming weeks.

Historic markets:

By the late 11th century Grantham was recognised as an important market town, local industry including the wool and cloth trade.

Stamford’s weekly markets dated from the 8^th and 9^th Centuries.

A market has been held in Bourne for more than 700 years.