Strong Trader Support for Forthcoming Hailsham Street Market Trials

The Town Council is pleased to confirm that a large number of traders have already booked pitches for the return of Hailsham Street Market, with the first trial event on Friday 20 March shaping up to be one of the largest street markets the town has seen in years in terms of the number of traders and stalls. The strong early uptake signals renewed enthusiasm for the market’s revival and promises a vibrant launch to the new Friday programme.

The first event will take place at Blackmans Yard, behind the Town Council offices in Market Street, with further trial dates scheduled throughout the spring. The markets will run over a ten-week trial period on selected Fridays, giving residents regular opportunities to shop locally and support independent traders.

The programme has been designed to enable the Town Council to further assess the long-term suitability of Blackmans Yard as a permanent market location, while also evaluating the impact of Friday trading on footfall and trader participation. The new trial phase builds on an earlier programme which concluded in October, during which visitor numbers, trader feedback and community engagement were carefully reviewed.

Previously held on Saturdays at Vicarage Field, Hailsham Street Market relocated to Blackmans Yard last summer. The move created a more flexible, Council-owned venue with fewer trading restrictions, enabling stallholders to offer a wider and more diverse range of products. Recent markets have featured locally sourced produce, artisan food and drink, handmade crafts, clothing and a variety of specialist goods.

Confirmed trial dates:

• Friday 20 March

• Friday 10 April

• Friday 24 April

• Friday 8 May

• Friday 22 May

Confirmed traders attending one or more of the trial markets include Mini Mouthfuls (sweet treats), Tropic Skincare (skincare and make-up products), Falafel Box (falafels), Debbie’s Crafty Creations (gifts), La Maison de Valerie (handcrafts and home decor products), LAW Designs (handcrafted jewellery), She Sells Sea Shells (fossils and gemstones), P&S – Personalised & Sassy (home decor products) and Forever Living Company (aloe vera products).

The Seaside Community Hub, Hailsham Lions and RSPB will also have stalls at the market.

Councillor Anne Marie Ricketts, Chair of the Communities Committee, said: “We’re delighted with the strong level of trader interest ahead of the first Friday market, which is set to be one of the largest we’ve hosted in many years in terms of the number of stalls. We would encourage residents to mark the dates in their diaries and come along to support the traders.”

“The previous trial period gave us valuable insight into how Blackmans Yard operates as a market space. This next phase will allow us to build on that evidence, gather further feedback from residents and traders, and make informed decisions about the market’s future.”