Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams is calling on people to show their support for Mansfield Market, saying it could be the breeding ground for the next rags-to-riches success.

As part of the national Love Your Local Market campaign, which runs from Friday, 12th May to Saturday, 27th May, there are free rents to new stallholders throughout May. The market is on the look-out for those who sell pet products, baked goods, cheese, and household / DIY items.

Mansfield District Council, which runs the market, hopes the promotion will encourage new traders and start-up businesses to take stalls, support them while they get established and attract more shoppers to visit the historic market and town centre.

Current regular traders will also get a stall discount per stall for 10 days as part of the incentive.

All the market stalls have fixed roofs and lighting and usually start from just £7 a day. The council said it ensures its market stall rates remain competitively priced within Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas to help introduce new stall holders to the Market Place and support regular traders.

Launching the initiative, Andy said: “There has been a market in Mansfield for very nearly 800 years and we would like to see this continue for many more years.

“Buying from independent traders on markets is a great way to support your local economy and local jobs, and even, potentially, nurture big business talents.

“Mansfield already has an established reputation for being a fertile ground for business start-ups.

“Wouldn’t it be brilliant if our market could be the same breeding ground for the entrepreneurial stars of the future as has happened elsewhere?

“Marks & Spencer, Dunelm, Lord Alan Sugar are just a few of the big names who started out trading from market stalls.”

On Sunday, 20th May the celebrations for Love Your Local Market will continue with balloon modelling, walkabout entertainment and free craft activities to take part in from 10am to 2pm.

New traders also have the option of incubation units. To qualify, you must be deemed to be a new trader who has not stood on Mansfield Market within the 12 months prior to their application for a unit. More information can be found at www.mansfield.gov.uk/trading-mansfield-market/incubation-unit-terms-conditions.