Love Your Local Market runs from May 16 to 30 and aims to showcase the goods and treats in Oldham’s Markets and raise the profile of the hard working traders.

As part of the campaign Oldham Council is hosting a range of events, activities and competitions.

The borough is joining more than 900 markets across the country by taking part in the initiative.

Tommyfield Market is offering an incentive for new traders on the outdoor market. New traders can get three weeks free trading when they pay for three weeks up front. There are also great incentives for the Indoor Market Hall units.
LYLM LogoThere are a range of free events taking place at our markets across the borough:

Love Your Local Market Launch
16 May, Tommyfield Market, 11am – 3pm.
Presentation of the Trader of the Year Award, a live cookery demo, performances from JTS All Stars Dance Troupe (from Britain’s Got Talent) and free face painting.

Bingo in the Market Hall
18 May, Tommyfield Market Hall, 11am – 3pm.
Play bingo live in the Market hall, (Three sessions are available: 11.30am, 1pm, and 2.30pm.Booking is essential).

Festival Fun at Tommyfield
23 May, Tommyfield Market, 11am – 3pm.
Free face painting and festival entertainment as part of Festival Oldham.

Master Class in Crafts
by ‘Kate’s Crafts’
27 May, Tommyfield Market Hall, 11am – 3pm.
Children’s workshop (ages 8-12), 11am –12.30pm.
Girls, learn how to make a beaded bracelet. Boys, learn how to make a woven wristband.

Adult’s workshop, 1.30 – 3pm.
Learn how to make your own earrings or bracelets and take home everything you make.
(Booking is essential for both workshops)
Plus performances from InSync Dance Troupe throughout the day.

Cooking demo by ‘Love Food,
Hate Waste’ and free face painting
28 May, Royton Market, 11am – 3pm.
Weekly market with a cooking demo and free face painting.

Free Face Painting
28 May, Shaw Market, 11am–3pm
Enjoy free face painting at the weekly market.

Children’s Fun Fair
28 – 30 May, Tommyfield Market, 11am – 4pm.
Enjoy a range of fun rides at Tommyfield.
Rides payable on the day.

LYLM closing event
30 May, Tommyfield Market, 11.30am – 2.30pm.
Win prizes in the ‘Stack the Spud’ and ‘Guess the number of sweets in the jar’ competition, come and see live cookery demonstrations by ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’.
Plus performances from Caroline’s School of Dance Troupe and free face painting.

Markets play an important part in the heart of communities across Britain, not only for retail but as valuable community assets. Market day still holds a special place in the hearts of people from all walks of life, as a place to shop but also to socialise, meet up with acquaintances and catch up on some gossip.

Today’s markets are seeing something of a revival in fortunes. With quirky new markets and independent fresh goods on offer, shoppers are, once again, turning to the beloved local market. Not only for the goods on offer, but also to see a friendly face and support the local businesses in the area.

As part of the campaign, Tommyfield Market hosted a Trader of the Year Award where residents could vote for their favourite trader on the market. The winner will be announced on May 16 in Tommyfield Market, by Mayor of Oldham, Fida Hussain.

You can also get involved creatively by taking part in a photo or video competition.

Just get an image of the Loveliest (market, customer, product, trader, etc); Youngest (trader, business, customer etc); Longest (market, visiting customers, serving trader/manager etc) or Merriest (product, trader, customer etc). There is a prize of £50 for each category with an additional £100 for the overall winner.

To get a video just simply record something that you love about your local market and submit the video – you could win £200.

To submit your videos or photos go to www.oldham.gov.uk/lylm

You can keep up to date with all the activities taking place during LYLM on twitter via the hashtag #LYLM2015 or like www.facebook.com/tommyfieldmarkethall
For more information about Oldham’s Markets visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/markets