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Markets are great places to learn the trade, so to speak. From customer service, to business acumen markets cover all aspects of retail and business development, they’re also a very social environment making it a great place to learn, whatever your motivation.
Leeds Markets offers a number of initiatives for people of all ages and experiences to get involved with market life.
Enterprising Solutions
The markets can be a great place to meet people and reach new customers, raising awareness of your organisations. But not all organisations have access to such a busy business environment. With this in mind Leeds Markets offer a limited number of free stalls for charities and community organisations across local markets to help local groups raise awareness of their work.
Markets can often provide a less risky base for new traders looking to enter the retail market. Rents are traditionally lower than the high street and the terms are more flexible. The team at Leeds Markets has always had a pioneering approach to retail and in recent years has developed a series of platforms for test trading, including the How Bizaar stall run by Sharing the Success, the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative, which gave many new entrepreneurs the chance to test their products.
Culinary Curriculum
Continuing the foodie theme, Jamie’s Ministry of Food set up its Leeds branch at the heart of Leeds Kirkgate Market in 2008. Offering affordable cookery courses with discounts for low income individuals, Jamie’s Ministry of Food aim to increase healthy diet awareness and improve the quality of life for those undertaking the courses. The course fee includes all fresh ingredients sourced from the market and encourages people to change shopping habits and become more aware of food content and the health impacts.
As part of Leeds City Council, Leeds Markets has a strong focus on education and good relationships with Education Leeds and schools across the city. Leeds Kirkgate Market hosts regular school visits and educational tours, to introduce children to enterprise at an early age. The building itself also has an interesting architectural history and regular tours from Leeds Civic Trust. Throughout the academic year the team also works with universities and colleges from across the city to provide live briefs and work experience for the city’s burgeoning student population. There are also a number of exhibition spaces available for final shows and artworks.