1. Giving Added Value to the Town Centre
Christina Marshall, Specialist Markets and Town Centre Events Coordinator

3. Stockton’s Vision
In Stockton, our main aims for our Specialist Markets Programme are:
To support and promote the businesses on the High St
To encourage footfall into the Town Centre
To encourage visitors from outside the area to visit Stockton
To encourage repeat visits to the Town Centre

4. The Programme
Each year, we evaluate the programme from the previous year and decide on those to continue with and those to remove from the programme
We then look at what is popular going into the next year by researching and looking at the programmes of other local authorities
We also set a projected budget for each market depending on the theme
Finally, it is important to note the dates of other events in the area to avoid clashes and therefore avoid losing traders to other events
Often, our Specialist Markets compliment a larger event also happening in the Town Centre e.g. our record fair which formed part of ‘Stockton Stages’ music and comedy event in July of this year

5. 2017 Retro Market Vintage Fair Kapow Sci Fi Market Record Fair
Book Fair
Railway Fair
Christmas Market

6. Finding the Traders Social Media Stallfinder Enquiries/Word of Mouth
Visiting other markets and events across the region

7. Working with Operators
Research the operators available for your chosen theme
Ask them to pitch for you
Visit their event at another location and speak to their traders/visitors
Read comments on social media/Speak to other local authorities who have used them before

8. Example – Record Fair

9. Improving your Offer
Catering – in a survey carried out in % of our visitors said that knowing that food offer was on site prior to a market or event was important to them
Entertainment – music/entertainment attracts attention of shoppers and increases footfall
Additional activities/workshops – offering activities free or charge to interest families has been hugely important to developing our markets programme

10. Evaluating Success Footfall Speaking to High Street businesses
Social Media Feedback and Visitor Surveys
Trader Surveys

11. Moving Forward Better methods of footfall counting
Surveying Town Centre Businesses using a more formal method
Linking Specialist Markets and Traditional Markets together

12. The End Result….

20. Any Questions?