Alfreton Indoor Market has been announced as a Love Your Local Market Champion for 2024, after the market florist coordinated a trader focused project.
Love Your Local Market encouraged participants to showcase their markets and engage with the community as part of a worldwide campaign.
With more than 400 markets taking part, it was an incredible showcase of community spirit and support for local businesses.
Awards were given to recognise the outstanding contributions made by various markets, organisations, and media outlets, and Alfreton Indoor Market has been announced as the Trader Focus Champion 2024 award winner.
Sarah Francis, the florist in Alfreton Indoor Market trading as Bluebells of Alfreton, teamed up with all market traders to take part in the campaign.
She said: "We created a spotlight stall at the front of the market hall to celebrate the diversity of small businesses at the heart of our community, with a new business taking over the stall each day to showcase themselves and their products.
"We worked together to set up the stall, decorate it and take pictures to share on social media using the campaign hashtag to spread the word."
Some stalls include Simply Spanish Ltd, a specialist in Spanish cleaning products that recently celebrated its first year in business at the market; Sapphire of the Stars, a long-time trader known for its crystals and handmade artisan goods; and Denise’s Fruit & Veg, the market’s longest-standing trader with 32 years of experience.
"We saw it as a great way to raise awareness of everything the market has to offer and hopefully encourage new visitors to come and have a look around," said Sarah.
"It was a huge bonus to find out that Love Your Local Market spotted our posts and crowned us the Trader Focus Champion!"
A popular choice with local shoppers who value its range of products and reputation for a great bargain, the indoor market boasts an impressive retail offering, including gifts and cards, plants, arts and crafts, tailoring services, a sweet shop, butchers and café.
Vicki England, Markets & Town Centre Officer at Amber Valley Borough Council, said: “It is heart-warming to see all the effort everyone put in to take part in the Love Your Local Market campaign, and even more incredible to win this prestigious award.
"There are more than 15 stalls at the Alfreton Indoor Market, with regular, new and casual traders to discover every week, especially on a Saturday with the weekly crafters. It is a real hub of local talent, which is what makes winning an award like this and being recognised by a worldwide campaign even more touching.
"This award shows just how special and unique our local market is, and we hope it encourages even more people to visit, shop local, and support the small businesses on their doorstep – and to make the most of their specialist, personal, award-winning services."
Alfreton Indoor Market is open 8am-4pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
To find out more or to see all offers and events coming up, join the market’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/AlfretonIndoorMarket.
Contact the team directly on 01773 570222 or email enquiry@ambervalley.gov.uk
