Firth Park makers market is on Saturday 28 September from 10am to 3pm.
Located at Firth Park Methodist church, just beyond the Northern General Hospital. Entry is free.
The market is organised by the Friends of Firth Park group. We spoke to Chloe Goodman, marketer for the Makers Market, she said:
“This is a community group which leads events from litter picking to liaising with the City Council to focus on concerns in specific areas”.
When asked why the market would be of interest to students, she said: “It is not in an area students would traditionally visit.
“It would help them understand different areas of Sheffield.”
She also said: “Firth Park was quite a large area – people don’t necessarily know each other, so it’s a great opportunity to meet new people”.
The market would be suitable for all, from freshers to final years. She added: “it would be good for people in their final year who want to stay in Sheffield, as it would be a new area to explore”.
The market is community focused and has been seasonal, with a spring market earlier this year, the upcoming Market in autumn and the following market being at Christmas.
It is Chloe Goodman’s first time being involved with the market. Her marketing aim was to “bring younger people who aren’t necessarily from the area to come”.
She hopes to involve “both the local and wider community”.
The market involves small businesses and there will be at least 10 stalls.
Henna workshops are being introduced, the tickets are on eventbrite. Here you can learn to do henna and meet new people.
She said: “The henna workshop is a new thing, which I’m really happy we’re doing as it gets people doing something”.
Firth Park is easy to access as there are frequent buses to and from town. She also said: “if people are going to drive, then there is plenty of free parking available”.
Funded by Sheffield City Council, they are given a budget for each market. She said: “we’re really lucky that we have secured the budget for this market.
“If people are actively attending and the market is doing really well, it means we can continue running them into the future”.
The Lord Mayor will be in attendance. This is a ceremonial role currently held by Jayne Dunn. Chloe Goodman emphasised that having the Lord Mayor in attendance “boosts the public coming.”
She said to “come and meet your local mayor”.
There will be a variety of food and unique crafts. Local businesses, including ‘Sophia’s Tasty Treats’ and ‘Petite Boutique’.
The Firth Park area has had ”a bit of stigma around the area previously”. Being one of the more deprived areas of Sheffield, having the market helps with that.
Chloe Goodman explains: “Being from Sheffield myself, I know there was traditionally a lot of postcode wars and judgement around various areas of Sheffield, I haven’t noticed it as bad anywhere else.
“Having things like this brings the community together and lets the rest of Sheffield know that we’re changing and trying”.
There are plenty of ways to get involved, including volunteering and helping organise the events.
If students have their own business, they always welcome new vendors. Any help would be welcomed from students who are interested in helping with marketing.
Check out the market’s Facebook and Instagram page for updates: Market facebook page and Market instagram page.
Image credit – Firth Park Makers Market
