The Bookings Process
Welcome to The Makers Market Booking Process!
Firstly we need to explain why we have this system.
The purpose of this new system is to:
- Reduce duplication across events for products to make the market more varied.
- Ensure the highest quality of stalls are curated to showcase, and only approved Makers Market traders can book onto events.
- Prioritise local traders on their local markets.
How it works:
The first step will be to fill out an Expression of interest form. These forms will be emailed to regular traders or can be found via the Expression of Interest tab.Once they have been approved it will then be added to the booking pages online for open applications.
You need to fill in an individual form for each location you want to attend - this form will be dated for 3 months to try and reduce the workload for traders.
ALL traders including people who regularly attend a location need to fill in the Expression of Interest (EOI) forms, this is to allow us to know which dates in the next 3 months you can and can not make - this means you will not drop off the booking system for missing a month and we can also open up slots to other traders earlier if you can not make it.
Selection Process:
There are many things to consider when selecting traders but those listed below will be priority requirements:
- Are all your products Artisan/Handmade?
- Duplication - is there another stallholder selling similar products?
- Location - businesses most local to the market will have preference.
- Stall Appeal - do you appropriately display your items?
- Rules & Regs - are you displaying the required documents/labels/certificates etc that are needed for your particular items?
Acceptance Email:
Once you have applied we will access your application and try and let you know within 2 working days if it has been successful. If you do not hear from us after 3 working days you have been placed on the waiting list for this event.
The main reason for this is product duplication, a market is at capacity or you do not meet the requirements above.
Payment:
With your acceptance email, you will receive the booking codes for the next three months (or applied for months), these can be used online to book as you usually would at www.makersmarketbookings.co.uk.
Please note you do not need to make all three payments right away you are welcome to pay month by month as you currently do, you will not lose your space by doing this.
The payment deadline is two weeks before the event date, if payment is not made before then we will reallocate your slot.
If you apply less than two weeks to an event we will hold your slot open for 24 hours form approval.
Confirmation:
When payment is made via the website you will as normal receive your receipt automatically to your email. We will then send you Set Ups and Layouts as usual the week before the event.
The Waiting List:
If for any reason you are not initially selected for an event and have not heard from us withing three working days of your application you will have automatically been placed on out waiting list, if someone from your category drops out you will be moved up and we will let you know ASAP however you are also welcome to email us to check for spaces at alternative locations.
We hope that this provides you with some insight into the reasoning behind the changes being made and the tough decisions that we have had to make. Your cooperation and respect for our final decisions regarding stall allocations at the markets is greatly appreciated.
New Traders ... what to expect -
Your first market can be daunting, but don't worry as we've all been there. Here are a few things we would recommend for your first market -
Stretch Table Cloth - a lifesaver for a windy day, makes your stall look smart and finished and can be purchased in multiple colours. You can find the link in our FAQs
Card Machine - does anyone carry cash now? Card machines are a must have so do your research on them, most traders use Square, Sum Up or IZettle
Float - if anyone does pay with cash be sure to have money for change
Public Liability - this is essential, if you don't have it you're not trading! Minimum of £5 million. Again, shop around but NMTF, CMTIA and Direct Line are the most popular. For a general stall it shouldn't be more than £80 for the year
Lights - a real necessity for these darker months especially for jewellery / art stalls. Rechargeable ones are required as there's NO POWER at our events
Winter Months - it's been asked before but unfortunately no, we don't provide heaters! Make sure to wrap up warm for the winter months, wool socks are a must have and sometimes a little mat to stand on takes the direct coldness off your feet.
More info for stall dimensions and what is provided will be in the faqs. Remember folks, the better the stall looks the more sales you're likely to make so do try make the stall look the best it possibly can!
Before booking any event you must register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezQU_ljM3n4RzIis_-waRZBpZfM7cwSYCGan55eYFZO9QVBQ/viewform
Please ensure you have read all the T&Cs and FAQs as this will cover alot of the questions a new trader often has.
Finally, you can join our Facebook Group "Makers Market Traders North West" where you will find further details and discussions from traders. Please note this is not a group for advertising products.