Ryedale District Council (RDC) is supporting the 2021 ‘Love your local market’ campaign and thanking its stall holders for supporting communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The District Council operates the Pickering market every Monday and the Helmsley market every Friday.

Kirkbymoorside’s weekly market takes place every Wednesday, run by the War Memorial Hall Committee. The Malton Market operates every Saturday, and is managed by the Fitzwilliam (Malton) Estates.

There are two livestock markets (Tuesday and Friday) each week and regular farmers’ markets.

Many of the market stalls serving food or essentials were able to keep on running and serve customers during the lockdown.

When the lockdowns eased, the District Council’s markets operated with many COVID-19 safety measures in place and Officers worked closely with the other markets to ensure that stallholders had the correct measures in place to keep them and visitors safe.

Margaret Wallace, Programme Director of People and Resources for Ryedale District Council said: “Markets are a key part of life in Ryedale. We’re pleased to show our support for the ‘Love your local market’ campaign and to thank those involved with running the markets across the district for what they do.

“I’m sure that many of the stallholders made a positive difference to our citizens during the pandemic – whether it was a friendly chat as they bought essential items, or offering them the chance to wander around and see familiar faces and products.”

Since the pandemic, there are new traders at the Pickering and Helmsley market, including Pickering Interior and Al fresco living. There is also one market stall available at Pickering and Helmsley. Pitch fees are £25. Full details can be found at: www.ryedale.gov.uk/information/business/markets/

Love Your Local Market campaign runs across the UK. The inaugural campaign took place in June 2012 and is now joined by over 16 countries across the world.

Over 1,200 markets take part across the UK , offering over 3,000 incentivised stalls for new traders. It is run by NABMA (National Association of British Market Authorities) .