How to become a market trader

You can start up a market business  in the market hall or on one of our open markets.

We have open markets on Oldham, Royton and Shaw.

The Market Hall

The market hall contains 232 units and 20 shops. It already contains a wide range of products and services that encourage shoppers to visit the market.

Each stall is approximately 10ft square.

The market hall is open Monday to Saturday inclusive from 9am – 5.15 pm. Rent is payable monthly in advance on the 1st of the month.

The council does not issue long term leases but uses a tenancy at will. This means that traders are not tied in to a long period of time. Traders only have to give 1 weeks notice in writing should they wish to leave.

Please note that we have over 110 businesses in the market hall, so we are always looking for something a bit different.

For further details please contact the market office.

The Open Market(s)

In order to trade on one of our open markets you must first become a casual trader.

To become a casual trader you must complete a registration form and provide the following items:-

• Your current public liability insurance.
• Two current forms of identity and address (for example:- drivers licence, recent utility bill, bank statement, passport).
• Two recent passport size photographs of yourself.
• Proof of National Insurance Number (for example, P45, P60, wage slip, NI card etc) or proof of eligibility to work in the UK

A casual trader card will then be produced for you. You must present this card each time you wish to trade on one of our markets. You will also receive a copy of the markets terms and conditions. 

You are not guaranteed to be allocated a stall on the day which you attend a market but we will make every effort to try and accommodate you.

Please note that some product lines are restricted on our markets. Please contact the market office for more information.

After approximately 6 weeks you will be offered the chance to become a licenced trader, depending on products sold and overall conduct.

Licenced traders have the right to rent the same stall(s) on a given market and day and are permitted to set up their stall before 9 am.

Licenced traders have a holiday entitlement of four weeks per year (i.e. if you trade on Saturday, you are permitted four Saturdays holiday).

Please note that if you are absent for four weeks and do not inform the Market Office your licence will be automatically cancelled.