Bicester market thrives with addition of new stalls

Bicester Friday market, which takes places every week in Sheep Street, introduced its first community stall in 2020.

Initially, the stall was available for charities, clubs and non-profit organisations to use for free to help with fundraising and promotion.

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However, the demand grew, and eventually younger traders and new businesses were also offered the opportunity to use the stall.

Bookings increased so much that traders – who run the market – purchased another stall and can now offer it to all the previous users, for no charge, as well as established businesses for a pitch charge.

Emma Gould, who runs the market, as well as a picture framing stall with her husband Richard, said: “We as market traders are really excited that we can offer more opportunities to people in Bicester and the surrounding areas.

“Both stalls are fully booked now until Christmas, it’s a very busy time of year. Having an extra stall benefits the market because it brings new people into town on Friday.

“Also, now that we have the two extra stalls, we can start offering more businesses the opportunity to come and trade. There are still businesses around Bicester who want to come and try market life.”

Mrs Gould said she was proud of being able to offer a variety of products to the Bicester public.

She added: “Community is at the heart of everything we do as traders. We want to make the town busy and vibrant.

“Since last summer we’ve had people from the Ukrainian community of Bicester holding a crafts stall, and we also have a young man doing very well selling his cakes.

“The market offers vegetables, groceries, picture framing, plants, pet supplies, clothing, toiletries, gifts and many other things.”

The trader said that footfall in the market has increased, and believes it may be because of the pandemic, and the general community feel.

She said: “Covid seemed to work in our favour in the long run, because people wanted to be outside. Traders in that time who couldn’t trade indoors, traded outside on the market.

“People may have rediscovered markets in that time. But the market is community based, which also adds to the footfall.

“We get people coming out every week who might not even buy anything, especially the older community. The come to speak with the traders and socialise.”

If you are interested in booking the community stall in 2024, or in trading at Bicester Market, please contact them on bicesterfridaymarket@outlook.com.

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1