The market is attempting to address the lack of accessible support for individuals and small businesses wishing to sell their products.Creative Wembley market has set its entry points to help encourage engagement by having lower stall rental (£20) and to actively support vendors in their journey. This has been achieved by the running of workshops promoting merchandising skills, marketing practices and working with vendors to help them address their needs. The market is differentiated from the current offering in that products sold at the market have either been created by the vendors or sourced according to their preferences and taste. Products on sale at the market are not bulk purchase items but rather a reflection of the individuals skills and creativity.The market has engaged with a cross section of Wembley residents and continues to draw and attract members across these sectors creating jobs that benefit the community.
Initally the market came about through the efforts of a local group called World Women Wembley. They wanted to come together to showcase their creative skills. So on a rather chilly November morning in a rather draughty hall they set out their wares and waited….. They made not one sale but elated by the fun they had by coming together and social interaction they decided to make it a regular event and so it came to be.
Wembley deserves to have a platform that supports and celebrates it creative talent. It is more than just home to a national stadium its home to a culturally diverse community rich in talent that reflects the lives and stories of its residents. A creative market would give this community a focal point to showcase and celebrate this diversity whislt acting as a tool providing local businesses and indivduals with an opportunity to realise their commercial creative potential and showcasing all that is great about Wembley.
With a consistent presence the market has the potential to create jobs for 30 – 40 individuals. Providing them an opportunity to become independently employed in running their own small businesses.
This then has the potential to impact onto the high street as businesses out grow the market will seek to establish permanent premises for their businesses in the surrounding area. This in turn will contribute towards the tranformation of the high street as it changes the current offering and raises the profile of the high street in offering new retail formats with vendors going forward to launch their own business independently.
Other notable benfits would be:
Vendors confidence increasing as skills and experience are required.
The creation and promotion of the creative network in Wembley through the engagement with local groups and individuals.
A shift in the shopping habits of locals seeking to support local and spend / buy in a local shopping context.