Roll up to show love for your market!

TRADERS support market week in Oldham

FREE family events have been organised to tempt shoppers into supporting their local market.

Oldham Council is backing 'Love Your Local Market' for the fourth year in a row with a series of activities and promotions.

The campaign runs from June 1 to June 4 and aims to showcase the goods and treats on offer at Tommyfield, Royton and Shaw markets.

It includes a number of free family events to enjoy throughout the May half-term.

Children can enjoy all the fun of the fair at the children's funfair from tomorrow to June 4 on Albion Street, in Oldham town centre.

If you want to try out a new musical instrument then there's free drumming workshops tomorrow in Tommyfield Market Hall at 11.30am, 13.30pm and 2.30pm.

Musical Jazz trio, the Flat Cap 3, will be attending Shaw and Royton markets on June 4 for a special Love Your Local Market performance. There will also be a little magic in the air as Professor Dan Slater is going to be performing his tricks, designed to delight and amaze crowds, on June 3 and 4 at Tommyfield Market Hall.

There will be bingo with prizes for the winners on June 3 plus free face painting and balloon modelling throughout the week at all Oldham's markets. And don't forget our famous spud stacking competition June 1 in the market hall.

And if you have ever wondered about opening a stall then this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

There's a number of incentives for new traders on all of Oldham's markets including the £5 Friday offer on Tommyfield's outdoor market.

And there is a new 'six for three' offer designed for the traders that want 'try' out their business idea but for half the price - new traders can receive three weeks free rent when trading on any of our markets.

Nimble-fingered children have the chance to win an artist's hamper filled with brushes and paints. All you need to do is look out for the Love Your Local Market leaflets. Just colour in the competition on the back and follow the instructions.

To highlight how market food really shines, take part in the #MarketBasketChallenge on the Market's Instagram page.

Simply post a picture of the dish you have prepared on Instagram with the list of ingredients, your method and the market you bought the produce from and tag @oldham_markets and include: #MarketBasketChallenge. You have until June 20 to enter.

Cllr Jean Stretton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: "Love your Local Market is a great way to celebrate the borough's markets and all they offer.

"Our markets have lots of great bargains and produce on offer and by buying from stallholders you are supporting local traders and the economy.

"This campaign gives residents the chance of finding a new career while demonstrating how important markets are to the local community."

For all the events, information and trader incentives visit www.oldham.gov.uk/markets or call 0161 770 4515.

The Love Your Local Market 2016 campaign is led by the National Association of British Market Authorities, with full support from the wider markets industry and government.