Bradford Kickstart ‘Market Test Trading’ blog

By Darian Crowther, Business Growth Adviser for Millennium Renaissance Consultants, Godwin Street, Bradford.

How do you get your goods to market? Answer – you get support from Bradford Kickstart and Bradford Council’s Markets Service.

This month (June) we have opened five newly-refurbished market stalls in the Oastler shopping centre and market hall in St.John Street, Bradford.

From having a good idea for a small business it takes time to get your products or services to market – and you can encounter many barriers along the way.

It’s quite a journey you need to take and one you would gladly share with other supportive people.

When I was asked to manage the Markets Test Trading project I was pleased to discover how Bradford Kickstart and the Council’s Markets Service could help people keen to set up their own business.

Working in partnership has produced benefits across the board and the end result for Kickstart clients is a fantastic opportunity for them to begin trading in a highly supportive environment.

Who are the test traders and what are their businesses called?

Sarah Scriven – Baby Office (selling products used in bringing up babies);

Mohammed Fiaz – Yorkshire Sportswear;

Leon Cary – Sporty’s (selling branded sports T-shirts, caps and trainers);

Balbinder Wilku – Baljays Fashion House (Asian clothing, music and nail technician);

Zahoor Ahmed - The Mobile Junction (selling and repairing mobile phones).

How does the Markets test trading scheme work?

Each Kickstart client selected to test trade is offered the use of a market stall for up to 12 weeks, at a subsidised rent. Basic sales equipment is provided, along with a year’s insurance through the Market Traders’ Federation.

In addition, each test trader has been supplied with a point of sale and marketing package through the Kickstart professional services support programme for young businesses.

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Special thanks are due to Jonathan Smith, of CS Communicate, who provided signage for each market stall, business cards and point of sale materials within a very tight schedule. Also, YDL supplied display fittings at short notice.

The General Manager of Bradford Markets Service, Colin Wolstenholme and his team have helped enormously to make the scheme a success. Their willingness to absorb many of the start-up costs is a great gesture of support.

If readers of this blog want to support the first group of test traders then get round to the Oastler market hall – and bring some money with you!