Call for market stall holders and new traders

Stallholders, traders and "budding entrepreneurs" are being sought for a new community market in Birmingham.

The first Erdington Community Market will take place on Saturday 28 February, outside Wilton Indoor Market, its Business Improvement District (Bid) group said.

Organisers added the market will then be held at least every quarter and hope to "build interest" so it will increase to hosting it on the last Saturday of each month.

They expect it to offer a range of stalls with goods such as cakes, toys and gifts and there will also be entertainment and children's activities.

To encourage new traders who want to try running a market stall, Erdington Bid said it was offering up to 10 free spaces for the first three markets, alongside a series of free workshops.

These will be organised by provider Good2Great and have guidance from Kate Gittens, who ran Shrewsbury Market Hall, which has been named Britain's favourite market several times.

Erdington Bid said it was also offering a limited number of free stall spaces to traders who recently lost a patch in the city after closures, such as Oasis Indoor Market and Sutton Coldfield's Market Village.

"Erdington town centre has a rich history of markets and traders, as well as a bustling business community," said Ed King, Erdington town centre manager.

"In 2026, we're bringing this past into the present and launching our regular series of community markets on the high street."

He added high streets across the country were suffering, with national chains closing, but the community markets would offer "special shopping treasures you can't find online", as well as children's entertainment.

Community groups will also be present, offering people opportunities to get involved in activities such as gardening, litter picks, arts workshops and sports.

The market plan is part of Erdington Bid's Love Your Local Community campaign, which is supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority and Mayor's market fund.

King added it would be hosting more community events as part of the scheme this year.

Addressing concerns over crime in the town, he said events held over the summer and in December did not result in a single report of crime or anti-social behaviour.

He praised the "fantastic job" of street wardens, who work closely with police and added: "We do hear people's concerns, and the Bid works constantly to address them."

Anyone interested in getting involved or to book a stall has been asked to email the Bid group.

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