Budding entrepreneurs in Leeds are celebrating the launch of 'How Bizaar!' a market stall which gives them the chance to test run their products with little financial risk, which opened in Leeds' historic Kirkgate market this week.
The project is run by social enterprise Urban Biz based in Chapeltown and is funded by Leeds Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI), Sharing the Success. The stall was officially opened by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds, Andrew Barker and Jean Dent, Director of Development, Leeds City Council, who joined the Sharing the Success team and the current stall traders for a day filled with music and activities to celebrate the launch.
‘How Bizaar!’ is also open to existing market traders of Leeds wishing to diversify and try new products. Prospective stallholders have signed up to take part in the scheme which offers them 12 weeks of rent free shared space, support and back up from a newly appointed sales co-ordinator, Sharing the Success and the market teams and business mentoring. The stall is fully fitted out to allow a range of businesses to take part in the scheme.
Natasha Harris (33) and Laura Butler (27) are two of those keen to take advantage of the ‘How Bizaar!’ stall. Natasha started a social enterprise ‘OOBBAA’, making retro style handbags, cushions and jewellery in December 2006. Natasha, a regular on the arts and crafts fair circuit where she sells her own wares and supports new emerging and established artists/designers sell their work, decided that in order for her to reach a wider customer base and raise the profile of the business, a stall in Kirkgate Market would be an ideal step forward. She remarked: “‘How Bizaar!’ is a great opportunity for me to meet new customers, test the market with my new ranges and increase awareness of the aims and activities of ‘OOBBAA’. Given the economic climate, it’s not the right time for me to open my own shop, though I hope to do so in the future, so ‘How Bizaar!’ has come along at just the right time.”
Laura’s company ‘Ringlit*’ offers an exclusive range of women’s fashion each season which is currently sold in boutiques in Huddersfield and Barnsley and from June through online department store Living Circle. Private bespoke clothing sales and vintage fairs have built up a healthy flow of orders and a loyal following but Laura is keen for ‘Ringlit*’ to have a city centre presence. She commented: “Leeds is known as a fantastic shopping and retail centre. ‘How Bizaar!’ gives people in Leeds city centre the chance to touch, try on and buy the clothes in my range whenever they want. Everyone has to start somewhere and it’s hard to be able to afford to take on retail premises while getting established so I feel this is a fantastic chance for young entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products that they simply wouldn’t be able to have otherwise.”
Simon Brereton, programme manager of Sharing the Success who spoke at the launch event, commented: “The event generated a real buzz in the market and it was great to see so many people stop by to look at the fantastic products on offer from these start-up companies, who may not have otherwise been able to afford to bring their goods to a city centre market. The ‘How Bizaar’ stall is a fantastic opportunity for people with a good business idea to tap into Leeds’ strong tradition of market trading and offers the best possible testing ground for their products.”
Pictures: top right: Deputy Lord Mayor Andrew Barker opens the How Bizaar! stall (left). Also pictured Diane Barker, Simon Brereton and Jean Dent
Left: City Development Director Jean Dent examines Gwen Dogaci's swedish hand-made 'emphathy' dolls available on How Bizaar, with Councillor Andrew Barker
NB: How Bizaar is only open to residents with a Leeds postcode.