FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“First Pitch” - National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) and Geraud Markets Liverpool Ltd
Press contact – Catherine Duncum, Projects Executive, catherine.duncum@nmtf.co.uk, 01226 352 803
LIVERPOOL ‘GREATIE’ MARKET GREAT
CHOICE FOR YOUNG TRADERS
Three local entrepreneurs are building their businesses in Liverpool’s Great Homer Street Market through a
start-up scheme run by the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF).
“First Pitch” is a market trader start-up scheme run by the NMTF in partnership with Geraud Markets, who
operate the market on behalf of Liverpool City Council.
The support package included discounted pitch fees, free membership of the NMTF, a retail training guide
and mentoring for 12 months from an expert in market trading.
The market on Great Homer Street, affectionately known as “Greatie Market,” has three traders on the
scheme, all of whom started six months ago from a free trial period.
Louise McKeown of independent fashion brand, Wulf Skin, wanted to start a business from an early age
and identified the market as an affordable way to sell her clothing:
“First Pitch has given me a great opportunity that I otherwise would not have had to start Wulf Skin with
guidance and support from my mentor and the NMTF.
“Since trading at Greatie Market it has given me the confidence to make Wulf Skin into a business and the
chance to meet a group of great people, who are more than happy to help me out if I need it.”
Karla Allende owns cake decoration business, K@rliux. After emigrating from Mexico, Karla was
encouraged to trade on Great Homer Street Market by her local Jobcentre. Karla said:
“I feel without First Pitch and the support from my mentor, I would have not had the same success if I had
started K@rliux on my own.
“I am currently taking a break from trading due to my pregnancy, but my plan is to carry on trading at Great
Homer Street Market when I am able to.”
Pam Linnett-Richardson, senior markets manager at Geraud Markets manages Greatie Market and is
mentoring the traders supported by the scheme. Pam said:
“Our main aim was to help three new market traders make a living, whilst learning how to sustain a
business and feel part of the Great Homer Street Market community.
“It is so refreshing to see young people wanting to create something new and we feel it is important that
young people are offered guidance and support to develop new businesses through opportunities like First
Pitch.”
Geraud Markets also offered the young entrepreneurs opportunities to trade on other markets in Liverpool,
including Garston, Monument Place and Speke.
Stephen Foulkes of personalised candle stall, Coral Pearl Candles, applied for First Pitch after meeting
Pam at a job fair. Stephen said:
“First Pitch has made me realise that I have the ability to start my own business and make it a success.
“I also trade at Garston Market which at times can be extremely profitable, but I hope to trade at other
markets when I have more time.”
Liverpool’s Great Homer Street Market is open Saturdays 8am to 3pm with over 150 stalls indoor and
outdoor. For more information visit www.geraud.co.uk
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Interviews



Karla Allende, Louise Mckeown, Stephen Foulkes and Pam Linnett-Richardson are available for interview.
Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of the National Market Traders Federation, is also available for interview.
To arrange, please contact Catherine Duncum, Projects Executive at the NMTF on 01226 352 803 or
catherine.duncum@nmtf.co.uk
Photos – hi-res available on request (catherine.duncum@nmtf.co.uk, 01226 352 803)
Photo: Karla Allende of cake decoration stall,
K@rliux, Great Homer Street Market
(© 2013 NMTF)
Photo: Louise McKeown of fashion brand,
Wulf Skin, Great Homer Street Market
(© 2013 NMTF)
Photo: Stephen Foulkes of bespoke candle
stall, Coral Pearl Candles, Great Homer
Street Market
(© 2013 Geraud Markets Liverpool)
First Pitch - part-funded by The RBS Group’s Inspiring Enterprise initiative in 2013/14




Awarded through competitive process, in June 2013 100 traders across the UK received 12 months of support
to launch their businesses on their local markets.
Support package: Free NMTF membership, a free copy of market trader start-up guide, NMTF First,
mentoring for 12 months from a retail expert and a rent incentive from their market operator.
Supported traders - First Pitch Finalists – will be invited to a Markets Master Class in June 2014. At this
networking event, one of the traders will be awarded £2,000 to boost their business.
For
more
information
on
The
RBS
Group’s
Inspiring
Enterprise
initiative,
please
visit www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com
National Market Traders Federation (NMTF)



The NMTF is the leading trade body for the markets industry in the UK. Representing about 30,000 market
traders in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the NMTF provides unrivalled business insurance, political
representation and training programmes to market traders throughout the UK. The NMTF is headquartered in
Hoyland, Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
www.nmtf.co.uk
@marketsmatter
Great Homer Street Market – operated by Geraud Markets Liverpool Ltd




Located near Liverpool docks, Great Homer Street Market has over 150 stalls indoor and outdoor and is open
every Saturday from 8am to 3pm.
www.geraud.co.uk
@GeraudMarkets1
www.facebook.com/GreatHomerStreetMarket
For more information on this press release contact Catherine Duncum,
Projects Executive, NMTF on 01226 352 803 or catherine.duncum@nmtf.co.uk