Could You be a Successful Acton Market Trader?

Markets to start on Saturdays from March 10th

This Saturday there will be a market on the Mount in front of Morrisons which is to be the first of many.

Are you are interested in a new career as a market trader? Action Acton are encouraging local people to start new businesses at the new weekly market by running a free specialist Market Traders Training Scheme. The training scheme is for anyone over 16 and will cover everything from the first steps to market trading to managing money, doing market research and expanding the business.

Action Acton’s Chief Executive, John Blackmore says the charity hopes to help local people start up businesses as a market trader. “The Market Traders Training Scheme is for both new traders and those with some experience. And who better to have stalls in our new market than local people?”

Thirty people have already been on the training sessions, the first held in November 2006. Brenda Bertin attended the first introduction taster session and got the bug. She continued with the training and had her stall, called Belmont, selling baby and toddler clothing and accessories.

“I was unemployed for two years. Doing the training was absolutely vital and I learned so much about business.” She says the Market Traders Training Scheme was a real learning curve and taught her a lot about how to display her wares and how to make a profit. Bertin, who grew up in Acton but now lives in Northolt with her husband and three children, says the new market will bring a sense of community to Acton that she remembers from her childhood. She had a stall during the December markets on the town square and says the market is a chance for her to have a business that’s totally her own. “I don’t have to report to anyone and I just love mingling with people. It (the market) will create such a buzz in Acton.”

Action Acton will be running more training sessions during February, March and April. Those who do the training will be offered subsidised stall rates at Acton’s weekly market. Some traders might also be entitled to a business development loan to help start up their businesses. For more information and to enroll on the training contact Marta Masiulaniec at Action Acton on 0208 993 9605 or marta.masiulaniec@actionacton.com

The Saturday markets will be open between 10:00am and 4:00pm

March 7, 2007