On Friday 29th May Preston Market traders welcomed the National Market Traders Federation’s “Making Markets Matter” campaign, to the popular Lancashire Market.

Making Markets Matter
Victor the Lion sporting the Making Markets Matter T Shirt

The shoppers and traders on the Market were treated to a great series of colourful and fun activities that included a very popular Voucher Vault that is reminiscent of a Crystal Maze TV feature. The kids just loved trying to collect the vouchers as they entered the Vault and then claim a prize from the Prize draw stall. In addition another popular attraction was the “Play your Cards right” game that once again offered the winners some great prizes.

Within the Indoor Market, Chef Geoff Tookey entertained the folk with an amazing selection of simple, low cost but very tasty recipes, with the ingredients obviously sourced from the Market. Geoff who clearly has the gift of the gab had folk surrounding the stall asking questions, trying out the samples and wowing some of the female customers.  Chef Geoff TookeyThe kids and even some of our traders also loved the free face painting with the staff from Adrian Liveseys butchers and Aunty Dolly’s café having their faces painted and joining in the fun.  Also Victor the Lion the Market Mascot proved very popular with visitors and traders alike as he posed for photos throughout the Indoor and Outdoor Market.

Market Manager David Bullock said
“This was a really good and enjoyable day and we put lots of smiles on our customer’s faces and also our traders really appreciated the campaign, with many asking when it will return.  The team from the NMTF deserve huge credit for putting together such a slick and professional event and I would urge any Market that is considering the campaign to get in touch with Vanessa at the Federation as soon as possible.  I can’t thank them enough for a brilliant day”.

The Making Markets Matter campaign is devised and promoted by the NMTF and is part of a Nationwide campaign to persuade the shopping public to savour the joys of the UK’s retail markets.

The campaign this year will also be visiting the following Kirby Markets in Liverpool on the 11th July and Northampton Market on the 25th July.